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Yangon
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Yangon - I travelled back from Northern Thailand, picked up my visa and flew from Bangkok to Myanmar, which used to be called Burma. A little bit of history and politics is needed to explain the reasons for visiting Myanmar. Myanmar has been in a military dictatorship since the 1960s and many countries have embargo's in place because of the abuse that is happening to its people. There are two different view points about visiting the country. One is that you shouldn't go as some of your money (especially people on package tours) will go to the government. The other view is that the people are extremely poor and want tourists to visit. I decided to visit, but to minimise as much as possible any money going to the government, so didn't use government transport, didn't go to certain sites, and stayed and ate at locally based businesses. If you want more background I have included a link below.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/130 0003.stm
I flew into Yangon and had a couple of days before heading north. The people in this country are extremely friendly, and on the surface in Yangon you couldn't see what hardships the people are facing. One particular sign in the central park sums up the Government quite well.
If you can't read it, the "people's" desires are:
"Oppose those relying on external elements, acting as stooges, holding negative views.
Oppose those trying to jeopardise the stability of the state and progress of the nation.
Oppose foreign nations interfering in internal affairs of the state.
Crush all internal and external destructive elements as the common enemy".
Yangon used to be the capital until recently, but it has just been moved to a purpose built new capital, where nearly all foreigners are not allowed to visit.
Back to the visit. The main attraction in Yangon is the Shwedagon Paya, which is the most religious site in the country. The Paya is 98m high and can be seen all around the city as Yangon has not caught up with other Asian cities in terms of sky scrappers.
The rest of the time in this short visit was just hanging out in the centre, enjoying the differences of the country. For example nearly all men wear sarongs and most women wear a make up/sun screen that is very yellow and made up of the bark of a local tree mixed with water.
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