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Myanmar
Wednesday 2-4-08
We had passed the border and were now looking forward to the country of many stories, some controversial.
The first impression, right in the border town in Tamu, was impressive. Very polite and friendly officers, gentle people they are by
nature. The small town was clean, roads are swept by broom. What a difference to India and Bangladesh.
The Union of Myanmar has a total area of about 673.000 sq km more than 10 time the size of my beloved motherland Brunei
Darussalam. About 60 million Burmese live here out of which 80 % are rural dwellers. Out of ten, nine people follow Buddhism. There
are 67 indigenous racial groups in Myanmar.
The Bamar or Burma's originating in the Tibetan Plateau, are about 80% of the population, holding power now for a thousand years,
The Shan about 9% are close relatives of the Thai, followed by the Kayin, fiercely independent people, which consist of about 7% of
the population. Then come Mon, Indians, Muslim, and an estimated 200.000 Chinese. No easy task to hold them together in a nation.
That needs sometime a strong hand. In course of time Empires rose, the Mon the Bagan in the 12th century, then came the Tai or
Shan from North East. Mongol armies appeared and in 1435 even a Venetian merchant Nicolo de Conti, show up too. (see Italy on our
web site) Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India and the Portuguese took advantage in the 16th century establishing ports
and monopoly controlling the sea routes of Bengal for 100 years.
Other European powers were looking with jealous eyes at the merchandise sailing into Lisbon, the Portuguese capital. Their spies
sneaking into the harbor disguised as drunkards or laymen, were counting precious loads of spices, gems and gold, stolen, looted and
trade-cheated back in Siam.
"Let set sail to the land of profit!" The French, the Brits set up trading posts, and as in Borneo too, played on native tribe against the
other, for heir own benefit.
In two wars against the Brits the Burmese were the losers. The winner has always the say. Their territory was reduced, their borders
redrawn.
Finally on 1st January 1886 Burma ceased to exist as independent county, king and queen were kicked out, it was annexed as
province to British India. No more border, Juhee!
Now shred India moneylenders the AHLONGS (loan sharks) show up, far more sophisticated than the kind hearted Burmese, which
became an easy prey. While the Burmese was meditating on: let say "how can I be more kind?" in front of Buddha, the moneylenders,
the "chettyards" guys from southern India, became owners of wealth far beyond what any honest deal will yield. Rice export had to run
through British fingers only.
Only in 1923 the same concessions as in India were extended to Burma. Revolts and skirmishes took place over time, too detailed to
mention. The Japanese were to fight the allied forces, the Americans, mostly black guys worked on a 800 km supply road but the war
was over when completed. (Ledo road from Assam to Mong Yo). 27,000 allied graves north of Yangon tell a gruesome story. In 1943 Burma was declared independent, in 1944 Japanese surrendered. The war has completely devastated Burma. The only positive
result was the weakening of the Brits power and prestige. In 1947 elections were held and Aung San won the overwhelming majority.
But what is sometimes democracy good for? Not less than 5 groups took up arms against the new founded state. The 70ties came,
the eighties and went, in 1990 the name was formally changed to Myanmar. A new election law was promulgated. The leader of the
National League for Democracy, the slim kind lady Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of former nationalist leader Aung San was placed
under house rest. "A Nobel Peace price recipient, how terrible" you dear European reader might say. But wait! Has not Koffi Annan
the UN secretary with soft voice and heart of stone, also received this price? For approving sanction which killed ONE MILLION IRAQI
CHILDREN? Just to remove one dictator? Who believe his motive anyhow?
What we want to say is, a peace price is sometimes awarded on political reasons and maybe just maybe a strong hand is better to
keep a nation together and bring it forward. Maybe the military rule is needed for now. History will tell.
A positive sample of dictatorship is progressive Egypt where a whole nation is lifted out of poverty by concentrated and planned efforts
utilizing their resources. (see our web site Egypt). Sanctions hit the poorest first. Therefore they belong- as the appliers to hell. Or as the Buddhist say into a rebirth of suffering.
G. Bush, Blair, Khazar bankers, all who create suffering through their actions, are hopefully reborn in an Iban longhouse of Sarawak.
As doggies. What a pleasing thought! Full of flees and ticks, constantly scratching until the hair falls off, everyone thin to the bones.
Then yes, gentlemen, we wish you a long life!
For the first 50 km we had joined a convoy, assembled to protect the travelers from the outlaws of the Indian side. Then we were free
to move. While we drove still in daylight along the unpolluted Chindwin river, we saw the first pagoda on the riverbank.
 
Thanaka bark make up
Soon it got dark the tar road changed into gravel, we proceeded into the night. Up into the mountains twice and down again. A few
busses were still transporting people. The road was under construction, therefore it was no easy driving, but time came when gravel
changed into tar again and we knew it was not far anymore to Monywa, the town we intended to put up for the night. By 12.30 am. We
arrived, went straight into a hotel and sunk back into our beds.
Thursday 3-4-08
The next morning as usual belonged to JAMBO. As at all times after a long and bumpy ride we take care of him. A silencer bracket
needed welding, proper carwash was due and we got new panorama mirrors on both sides. A visit at the office of the Director of
Immigration was on our agenda, the gentleman with the rank of a captain was well informed, polite and open. We told him about our
plans, he gave us recommendations, which we gratefully accepted. Wishing us a safe journey he waved "by by" and went on our
discovery for temples, stupas and pagodas. On our way to the biggest standing Buddha in the world we stopped at this ancient temple
complex, build in Zedi style which in the present form evolved more than 2500 years ago.
.  . 
Temple complex from square base to round, to slender tip housing a sitting Buddha statue
They act as spiritual centre for a village or district in which it stands. Traditionally their function is a place of worship for monks and
laypeople alike as well as schools and social centre. Most house a sitting Buddha image.
 
Pagodas in fields by the thousands and our tracker from GISCOM
 
working hard and Buddha in a lake; you got to swim to bring flowers
In ISLAM our religion we built mosques for the prayer to ALLAH in every village within convenient reach of the believer. In Christianity
of the past centuries, churches were erected in distances not farther apart than the eye could see, to worship prophet Jesus and
seek salvation through him
Here in Myanmar the Pagodas, places of worship are scattered over hills and fields their golden domes rising out of the lush green.
Build by deeply spiritual and religious people believing in the afterlife, in rebirth and the effect, present action will have on them. They
seek salivation through Gautama BUDDAH the enlightened one. Born in 623 B.C in Lumbini. He was a prince for whom the married
life had no attraction, therefore he left and became disciple of several teachers but could not get the right remedy for he misery of life.
He practiced yoga together with concentration of mind and asceticism for seven (again number seven?) years. In northern India under
the "tree of wisdom" he meditated searching for the truth. After 49th day (7 x7 ?) of meditation he attained enlighten and knowledge.
To reach his state, is the desire of every Buddhist and to escape the cycle of rebirth.
But he is one of many BUDDAH'S, a successor of earlier Buddha's to be followed by others in the future and as such Buddhism is an
inseparable unity in the Burmese life.
 
We passed the Jungle monastery "MOHNYIN SAMBUDDHE. The PAGODA here in these pictures contains 37886 images of Buddha.
 
The way to the inner sanctuary full of images The hand gesture tells, he sets the "wheel of live" into motion
 
The sitting (asana) or standing postures have all a clear meaning, as the hand gestures too. This is the "Bhumisparsa Mudra", here he
is calling upon Mother earth to stand witness to his moments of enlightenment. According to legend, Mara the god of destruction,
tried to subdue Buddha by sending his three daughters, Desire, pleasure and passion to tempt Buddha. He called upon the Erath
goddess, to bear witness that he has found perfect knowledge, the ground shacked and Mara took flight.
Buddha's teachings are called noble truth. First: true is that suffering is the rule rater the exemption in live. Then true is that suffering
or pain is cause by desires and can be eliminated by the annihilation of individuality and through meditation following the path which
leads to salvation. The main object is to get rid of desires, concentration on God and wisdom. Every deed of man has its inevitable
effect in the law of KARMA. The cause and effect relationship is pitiless and impersonal. Man who does evil things in life has to live
countless lives of sorrow before he is purified. Buddha himself took 500 birth before he became Bodhisattva, Buddha elect.
 
Scenes from the road. Banana truck and trees on an overland road. Why to cut trees? The Burmese live in harmony with nature
 
a clock tower in a round about two elephants protecting the entrance to the Monhyn pagoda
South we went, only a half hour drive, to see the tallest standing Buddha on the world. 104 m high. What an effort it must have been
to construct this giant. What will and devotion!
 
 
Novices and our major sponsor, the French company TOTAL
We waited the setting sun out, to please your soul dear Buddhist reader with these pictures...
 
 
plays with sun and spirituality
Almost every woman perseveres her beauty with the bark of Thanaka which is cut into one foot long pieces and sold. It is common on
the streets to see young women in Thanaka "Make up", but no one takes note. The bark is ground to fine powder and then applied
with a wide hair brush on the cheeks and forehead where sun could age the skin fast.
 
sold grinded
 
and applied
Children wear it and even Harun my suami and travel companion saw here the chance to get rid of all wrinkles. "You have now a skin
soft and smooth like a baby backside" said I, and proudly he presented his hairless container of confused thoughts to the camera.
Friday 4-4-08
Leaving Monywa in the morning we were soon on our way to Mandalay and a 3 night stay in a five star hotel. "How the heck could
they afford that after one years travel and expenditures?" you may ask. The answer is, we could not, and yet we stay.
This is the story. We had been in touch with our High Commission in Yangon for a wile as we needed the permission to pass through
Myanmar. Later we learned that through the efforts of the High Commissioner Pehin Datu Paduka Hj.Mohammad himself we were
allowed to come into the country. Our routing did not include Yangon, our High Commission residence.
One of the last e-mails received from them, directed us to The 5 star resort hotel once we arrive in Mandalay. "Pehin himself will come
to Mandaly" said the mail.
We were astonished in disbelieve. Why would Pehin come to see us, the small people? Travelers of continents true, but still humble
simple fellows on a long journey home? Which other Nations High Commission will ever go to such great length and efforts?
Sitting on the window of our room overlooking about 20 pagodas nesting in the adjacent hills, I heard the tiny sound of bells from afar,
it was for me the chime of confirmation in the good of man. They are out there, thoughtful, and devoted. Love and compassion is
embedded in their heart. Yes, Pehin Datu Indrerasugara Brigadier General (B) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof and Datin Hjh
Mastura we mean you.
It is a blessing for any Nation to have such representatives in Foreign Land. They are the mirror of Brunei, achieving what no cash gift
can do. They came to stay with us, they pay for the hotel, brought the finest Nasi Baryani we ever ate, cooked especially by Datin,
home backed Kueh, and even gas container for our cooker as there is still four weeks to go. Not to forget the seven or so packet
crackers, and cashew nuts which lasted until the highways of Thailand.
We are aware of this great devotion and are therefore feeling small and ashamed by so much kindness. A wish crawled up, getting
stronger and stronger: "To return the good you gave, to make you happy as you made us! Pehin and Datin, it is not the substantial
money which you paid for our stay, it is the time you spend, the gesture you show, the appreciation of our journey and the love we all
share for our Brunei Darussalam.
And so, we the simple fellows thank with simple words for what you did to us. Miss Rukiah thank you very much too, all is unforgettful.
Our greetings to the two bright, almost grown up kids. The promise stands. Harun will teach how to edit movies, once back in Brunei.
The evening brought an invitation by the Thai Ambassador. The food and cultural show was superb.
 
the table was overloaded with gourmet The green spirit almost robed the virgin, but she was saved. (the light went out)  
The girl plays the "puppet on strings" here she interacts with a male puppet perfectly
Saturday 5-4-08
We had breakfast together in this 5 star establishment which we under normal circumstances would pass outside only. And as you
know dear reader when a long journey is almost over the resources dwindle fast and we turn now the coin twice. Such a stay would
have been out of reach.
His Excellency and family consented for a photo with JAMBO, Even the Ambassador of Thailand joint in. We were honored once more.
 
the "friendship -photo" with the Ambassador of Thailand out of Yangon, for us and our fridge....
 
Pehin Datu Inderasugara Brigadier General (B) now private with their truly great and bright Kids
Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof, Datin Mastura, Miss Rukiah Third Secretary.
 
Pehin tested JAMBO. The machine made 46.321 km up till now. a wonderful and kindhearted Datin Hjh Mastura
The day we traveled in the outskirt of Mandalay . On route we met this SHIN PYU procession. It is the most important moment in the
life of a young Burmese. It is his initiation as a novice in the order of monks. Once the ceremony is announced everyone is invited.
Traditionally the Shin Puy is a time of extravagance. The boys are principally dressed in garments of silk
Young women are part of the procession, in their finest garments, the hair adorned with flowers.
 
some deities are symbolized by young men hopping and jumping between the procession. And high on horses ride the novice into the
next stage of his young life.
 
During his novice hood he will not take any food after noon, sing or play, use cosmetics, sit on any elevated seat and possess any
money. He must not kill, steal, get drunk or have sex. While his time in the monastery his parents must address him in honorary
terms.
 
the waterfall is an attraction for youth which enjoy the swimming. None swimmers rent car tubes, so everyone has fun.
We stopped at another pagoda which shone golden in the afternoon. The beauty is just breathtaking.
 
 
An image of Buddha and prayers in devotion
Sunday 6-4-08
After breakfast we went with Pehin and family for a sightseeing tour while Harun worked on the web page, that you dear reader have
not too long to wait for news. By afternoon it was time to say "by by". Sad moments indeed. Again the emotions were overwhelming,
waving with tears in the eyes and hoping to see all of them one day soon back in Brunei.
 
the last farewell photo together in the foyer of the hotel She is single! Sorry bachelors, we cannot disclose her location.
A great family is leaving two sad travelers behind
But the show goes on, after all we want to return to Brunei soon. We fuel JAMBO to the rim and tomorrow by 5:30 am we lift off.
From the comfort air-conditioned of a 5 star hotel, to Taunggyi where Pengiran Hussaini is arriving from our Yangon High Commission,
to show us around. The caring and friendship is not over yet. Oh boy, oh boy are we lucky.
Monday 7-4-08
It was not possible to load the web page last night. All trying failed.
By 6:00 JAMBO was out of the hotel yard on the way to Taunggyi, a town about 300 km southeast of Mandalay. The journey as
uneventful and by 1:00pm we were at the Immigration office to report our arrival. They kept track of our movement.
Afterwards we went to the INLE lake where we were supposed to meet Pengiran Hussaini the first Secretary.
He had flown in the very morning from Yangon to meet us, meaning in plain terms, to care for us. He intended to show us around the
following day. On the lakeshore we met him and joined a boat to the resort located somewhere in the lake. We felt like heroes or
special guest of our High Commission, without pride but did not know why we deserve such a special treatment. If you dear
reader are not a Bruneian, let me ask you: will your High Commission ever go to such extend? Unless you are a Minister by rank then
maybe. Otherwise they listen to you, and say :"Hm,Hm and very good" and show you politely the door.
 
a picture as hundreds of years ago roof details, all carved in wood
On the way close to the lake a Buddhist school; for novices. As the Madarsah's in our religion, children are taken in, to learn over
time the wisdom of Buddhism. Often orphans which find here a home. One sees them on the roadside with a small pot asking for alms,
 
Michael and well spoken Pengiran Hussaini with the "couple of many miles" on the way to the resort
 
the "tails" of the boats and Pengiran checking the situation
Boats are a kind of unique. They are flat bottom wood made, but long slim and slender gentle curved. "long runs well" how true it is.
They hardly create a wave unless overloaded. The engine a noisy one cylinder "China diesel", ours had 25 hp. That needs a
flywheel to turn it round. Attached a propeller on a flexible shaft which is steered by the "Capitano". All exposed. You sit in front of the
rotating flywheel and the attached fan belts turn the pulleys on the shaft. A simple cost-efficient solution which you officers, of our
Marine Department would - correctly I may say- never approve, as it needs at least an engine hood.
"Paff, paff, paff", we accelerated into the waters towards South. The scenery was picturesque, fishermen at work, houses on stilts like
Kampong air, Clean! No plastic no dirt, no broken chairs and tins. "When are we cleaning up our one???" Goes my call out to our
authorities. Is there anyone telling me we Malay are used to live in dirt and rubbish, like scavengers? Off course not. Soon we must do
something.! No, not soon ! Now is the time, as it was not done yesterday.
 
Kampong Air in Myanmar boats like at home in the old days
 
rowing with the leg to have hands free for tangled nets searching for the best location
 
and setting the trap Our resort. How about something like this in Brunei?
 
Bananas, flowers and sunset. The calmness of the waters sooths the mind and soul. Thinking back where we came from, how we
started, with an idea two years ago, then when we found the car, converted it, make it suitable for the expedition for living in and around
it, spend from our own funds. My begging for donations in my beloved country.
I praise the few who had a vision for achievements and helped to easy our financial burden.
I remember the many rich and super rich, which up till now remain silent.
Then the Custom officer in Kuala Lurah which donated B$10.- from heir hard earned money. No Madam you are not forgotten!"
Sheik Abbas, Hock Hung Hing, the Freight Forwarder Association, RBA foremost Hj Rozman who has by now left the service. There
are many more. Like Fauzidah, keeping our company afloat, Pengiran Salleh Ab Rahman Patron of the 4 w/d Association with friends,
then the French Multinational TOTAL, which we met on the way in almost every country. They are trusted in their lubricants and fuel
stations.
Spirit and Vision is with their leadership, something my beloved Brunei Darussalam deeply deserves. GISCOM gave too, one of their
tracking devises is with us. If your car is pinched it can be easily located, once you have the tracker installed. A device not bigger than
a handy and accurate to 20ft. And Tel-Bru this fine company which provided the Sat phone.
I was thinking of the miles behind us, the countries we had passed, the many dangers we endured, their frightening moments and our
bravery too.
Now almost one year on our journey. we were here, on a lake in Myanmar of which a month ago I did no even know the name. Looking
at the watch, it was 6:30 pm, dinner time.
Back in our child hood, how many times we met a magician in a road show, a small circus, a market a festivity and looking with big
eyes at the "miracles" he performed? The pidgin out of a hat or the rabbit from the pocket ? How did it move our fantasies? These were
events, when we children held our self tightly to Mom fearing what we saw, but looked with curiosity, as it was something out of our
comprehension.
At the very dinner Pengiran was the magician and the "magic" he pulled from the plastic bag was no rabbit, but a container of Beef
Rendang and Ketupat, cooked rice in packet. It was more, we understood. You Pengiran, beat David Copperfield or Uri Geller the
spoon bender. How did you do this trick? Is this on the table real?
It was dear reader. Here on a lake, in the middle of Myanmar on an evening we ate Beef Rendang, the finest Brunei cuisine can offer.
Cooked by Datin Hjh Mastura.
On the very evening when she and family arrived home from Mandalay she must have rushed to the kitchen and-prepared the
miracle- cooked this feast, transferred it to Pengiran in time and it flew with him to Taunggyi, to us.
 
The diner, in Inle lake resort And Harun after the meal (he got even crab eyes)
With a full belly a few words:
"Datin you are Magician, a superb cook a wonderful and caring mother, a woman of its finest. How can Pehin remain that slim?
We do not know. What we know is that words cannot express our feelings of gratitude.
Thousand, no, more! Thousand over thousand Thanks to you. We appreciated all efforts and this Rendang the first in Taunggyi ever,
must enter history books. In my dreams that night on the lake I was in my childhood sitting on the house floor, around me bowls of
Rendang. Each had a folded note attached. Tasting everyone I found the best and open the note there was a name written in golden
letters: "Datin Hjh Mastura."
Tuesday 8-4-08
Although we were supposed to stay a day at the lake to relax, inside me something told me to move. Dear reader, do you still listen to
the inner voice within you? Telling you sometime what to do, or warning you, whispering as in this case "go, move". Or it gives you the
feeling of uneasiness when danger approaches?
If your world is the surface, you never look or listen to yourself, then you are like a swimmer in the sea with no goggles to see what is
in it. We learn to listen to the inner voice, as it protects you, it guides you. It is your guardian angel. He told us to go, leaving
Pengiran and Michael his trusted companion behind. We felt we must move now.
Thank you for coming this long way for us. Thank you for the time, thank you for your kind words and concerns. And for you honorable.
reader to know, the stay in the resort cost us not one khat.. THANK YOU ALL IN OUR HIGH COMMISSION in Yangon. Very sorry, we
had to move on.
 
morning on lake Inle farewell from the resort
By 6:00 am. we had the fare well breakfast together, by 6:30 our boat left to shore. To the police H.Q in Taunggyi, getting last
information about the road to Kengtong, and informing them at the same time.
650 km distance. Dear reader, from Taunggyi to Kengtong, in Europe's highway's a matter of 5 hours. Well, that would be Europe.
Here in Myanmar, times and distance are of a different kind. It so happens that the topography- which our maps did not show- defines
clearly continuous mountains all in the North South direction. And the straight line on the map, was wishful thinking of the
cartographer. After the first two moutainpasses we started to count the curves and bends, the serpentines up and down. In-between in
valleys small stretches of a straight road, maybe 500 m long but then it climbed up again over the next hill or mountain.
 
A Pagoda and Monastery tree in blossom
 
cattle herds in the Pine forest nice to look nice to smell
The country has been over logged a 15 year ago. But on large areas replanted with pine tress. What a beautiful land this is. We
stopped for a while. The scent of pines in the nose, we sat and listen to the wind and at "klung klung" of cows bells, they grazed at
a distance. The air was cool, like in the European Alps.
 
somewhere in the mountains heading East bridges under repair
 
the only strait patch of road was worth a photo! hurrying to the market
After two hours we started to count the serpentines and came to about 10 curves per kilometer. The distance is 650 km. That is a road
with 6500 bends until we reach Kengtong. Fuel is no problem in Myanmar you pay a little more and you get it in every village. Officially
3900 khat the gallon. We paid between 4600 in the city and 7000 khat to a village china man, who insisted, his diesel was "first class
Thailand smuggle", maybe stretched with local kerosene, as JAMBO smoked a bit afterwards. What is life good for? "To make money"
shout happily the China men in unison.
 
and what is Sprite good for? as measuring container filling by the two liter bottle
 
The "Thailand first class smuggled" 7000 khat/gallon (7.- US $) another tribe of the Shan mountain people, small, strong folks
 
earnest although still boys, novices of a village monastery Burmese kids of Tibetan decent
 
Slash and burned slopes, the villagers do not know better gravel collectors for road construction
6500 curves or more. 10 moutainpasses the least. Our calculation, of average speed of 50 km/hour and twelve hours driving was
misjudged. Heavily.
 
another pass up to 2400 m pristine rainforest on the way
 
village life and market the hunter we met
 
on a monument, mountain people in their traditional outfit and strawberries in Kengtong
By 8:30 pm it was long dark, while curving a gorge up to another pass, right the stream thundering into the valley on the left almost
vertical rocks and bush, this inner warning came up telling: "better stop, do not go much further". When we drove into the village of
Tonta, there was a "guesthouse" to put up for the night. "Where is the police station?" we asked. But there was no need as minutes
later motorcycles came, on it the local policeman, on another the Immigration, then more civilians maybe state security, all happy to
see us. They had been informed by the Taunggyi authorities. "How much longer to Kengtong?" "Only three hours then you are there."
the guesthouse was welcomed for a good night sleep.
Wednesday 9-4-08
By 6:00 am we were on the road again. A Watchman on road barriers of which here are many just crawled out, to see us whisking
through. His whistle on the lips his hand in the air with all the authority entrusted in him he could no stop us, waving we just went
through and so, the whistle falling from the lips, landed in the dust. His mouth remained open, long after we had gone. That, he had
never expected or seen before.
Another one was just eating his morning rice portion, waving we paced through, his mouths an eyes again wide open he could not
believe what he saw. A picturesque colorful vehicle thundering over the pothole road, not stopping at his barrier!
In it two smiling and waving guys. "Is this an invasion?" he might had thought, or a dream? We reached as predicted, Kengtong
by 9:30 am and drove straight to immigration.
"Here you are " said the officer. How long are you staying. "10 minutes then we are out to south and Thailand." He gave us the
necessary documentation and out we were, on a fine wide road to the border town of Tachilet. On the way we splash-washed JAMBO
our trusted companion.
 
And when we passed taxi number 577 we had only 10 minutes more to the Northern Most Point of Thailand. The formalities on the
Myanmar side were smooth, it looks everyone was happy to see us. We are now to transit Thailand to Laos our next destination.
 
On the northernmost point of Thailand that you may not forget us dear reader
A few words to the European or American readers, should they ever click into the web page.
The BBC told in a report, that in Myanmar a meal cost US$ 10.- which is a blunt lie.
We ate in a restaurant very good, 3 dishes for two persons for US$ 5.-. Newspapers tell Myanmar's are starving. Another lie as the
urban population is not rich, but well fed, well dressed and clean. The rubbish we encounter in Bangladesh and in India, is no where
seen.
The Burmese are kind people spiritually devoted and it would be a cultural disaster if the gates are open at once, to allow for instance
American monkey music, we mean the talking in rhythm often in foul language, to the ears of this loveable population. Or
"American culture" out of Jewish controlled Hollywood. Or if they are exploited again as through the centuries, this time by
international financiers.
The system is always the same. First ruin the country by sanctions until hopefully a rebellion of the hungry people take place, then
appoint leaders the so called cronies, borrow them funds. The country is now in the pocket of outsiders. Freedom and culture goes
down the rivers.
Sanctions as applied by some foreign power are as bad as it can be. These guys are after their own agenda, never on the side of the
local people.
"We are travelers, no politician" we said often. Yet a few words to the authorities after seeing over 30 countries on our way. Keep
Myanmar together. Move forward in steps, include all tribes. Do no allow one, to dominate the commercial activities. Permit us to
suggest: A good road from the Thailand border connecting via Kengtong to Tanggyi as an example.
The goods produced in the Shan state will reach its market, prosperity returns to them. Utilize the small mountain streams, dam them,
install Hydro power plants they cost little and one with 200 KW can run several villages and the timber downstream industry like
making furniture. No need for long and costly overhead power lines.
Your country is beautiful. We have encountered lime stone outcrops, Mountains just as Mulu in Borneo, which house
long and huge caves. True tourist attractions and money makers. Check it out. Nowhere else (except Europe) we saw clear streams
and waters flowing through the land. Keep it that way and open up for Eco tourism. Rebels? There are maybe a few, we saw no one.
But as the saying goes, any young man with hot temper will exchange his gun with a big bowl of rice a fine house and a family.
It is up to you. We, having seen more than many foreigners, applaud you for a strong hand. Myanmar must remain as one.
The population, these kind people need you now. Progress with them, our heart is with your task.
 
Here you find an open smile and hear music in your honor and respect. This culture needs protection
Finally we thank you for the chance to transit Myanmar, foremost the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which granted
the permission, the Ambassador of Myanmar in Islamabad who send an strong request for our transit, our Excellency Pehin Datu
Indrerasugara Brigadier General (B) Dato Paduka Hj Mohammad Yusof who spoke with the Foreign Minster personally and the many
friendly officers who helped. We thank you all, knowing without your help this transit and the pictures would not have been possible.
Passing the border to Thailand, dear reader please click Laos if you like to join us our long journey home.
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Supported by Tourism Board, Ministry
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