NomadicPenguin

Upon touchdown at Yangon International Airport, one can feel the muffling of sounds and the absence of human traffic. From the initial outlook, it seems the ratio of the airport staff to the number of passenger is almost 1 to 1.
 
With visa restriction and limited international carriers, it is obvious that the effects of the slowdown in tourism industry begins at the airport; especially after much media attention Myanmar is getting after typhoon Nagis. Not even a month’s time can allay the fears from both sides.
 
Having paid S$30 for a tourist visa at the Myanmar Embassy back at Singapore, getting through customs was a breeze.
 
Driving is strictly for locals only. Almost all the passenger carrying vehicles are right hand drive but on left hand drive roads. Passengers for the private buses have to go onto the road, braving traffic, to board or alight.
 
Apart from that, the sights and sounds was not much different from any other township in Thailand. Yangon is a page taken from the 70s. The city is slowly picking itself up from the devastation of the storm. One could not help but to marvel at the grit and resilience of the common folk.
 
Local escort is a must if one is going on free and easy. It is better to let the local, especially a friend, to lead one down the beaten path.
 
Besides the usual golden temple, one can visit the city and enjoy the food.
Although Buddhism is for the vast majority, one can still find churches, mosques and temples of other religion. One can easily find localized Bryani and prata to chinese to western food. The seafood is affordable and can be found almost everywhere.
 
The insect population is virtually wiped out but repellent is still used as a caution. Hygiene of food is a must. The locals may stand it but diarrhea medicine is a must.
There are numerous Internet shops and telephone time vendors around but they only operate limited hours. Communication to overseas is expensive and certain websites are blocked. Broadband line is at best 90% up. Same goes for the electrical mains.

Siem Reap was definitely an adventure for Mommy. It was her first free and easy trip, it was extremely hot, and she was led on to her first full blown trek!!!!
Want to read more of her Cambodia adventure? The article can be found in The Independent Traveller magazine Issue 2.

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Vang Vien, a simple small town with various caves that travellers could explore, a good place to stop over while travelling from Luang Prabang to Vientiene or vice versa. Slow down, take your time to enjoy the views of the serene villages and the innocent smiles from the kids. Don’t miss out tubing, be completely relax while cruising down the river, simply close your eyes and listen to the music from the nature.
Want something more exciting? Stop at one of the stations along the river, have a good jump down into the river from the high platforms build by the vendors. Don’t have that kind of courage like me? Well, sit back and watch the other jump

I was told a Irish legend long time ago: Lady Luck grows the four leaf cloverin the Garden of Eden,  representing Wealth, Love, Health and Fame. For centuries, people believe that if one find a real four leaf clover, great fortune will follow.
Recently, I received a four leaf clover handphone accessory from a friend. I don’t know if its a real four leaf clover, and neither my friend nor me found it. However, isn’t the well wishing from a good friend my greatest fortune?

After viewing the sunset at Phu Si, a wide variety of clothing and art crafts are waiting for you at Luang Prabang night market. Everyday, from dusk onwards, the road will be closed for the night market till about 10p.m. Oh yes, you will need to check around the prices and do some bargaining, the shopping experience is generally enjoyable as the owners are friendly. Talk to them sincerely and they even share the trade secret with you

Have you ever met a guide who threw cow dung at his client? Here you go, Prakash from Mountain Zone Trekking is one!

Nope, do not take me wrong, I am not complaining. I must say, my Nepal trip was fun partly because I have a good travel partner, a wonderful porter and a naughty guide.

At first sight, Prakash is just another guide. However, it’s not too long before we realized, at a young age, he already has some interesting stories to tell.

Coming from Dolkha District, the eastern mountainous region of Nepal, Prakash had never thought of becoming a trekking guide until he met his ‘Otosan’ (Father in Japanese Language) in the hotel he took up part time job.

The two men got along very well, so ‘Otosan’ invited Prakash to join him for the Langtang Trek. Since then, Prakash begins his career as a trekking guide and eventually started a trekking agency with his friends.

Having a great aspiration, Prakash wants to achieve more in his career. Besides his trekking agency, Prakash has started a shop named High Mountain Tea in Thamel (a famous shopping area for tourists), selling Nepali tea, spices, organic coffee and wild honey.

As oblivious as Prakash may sometimes appear to be, there is a soft side of this big boy.

Often busy with his business, Prakash has not forgotten the less fortunate and is part of a committee managing Himalayan Orphanage. And whenever he mentioned about ‘Otosan’ and some of the people who have helped him, he would wear a gentle expression that I could hardly believe he is the same person who threw cow dung at me!

And, what left me with deepest impression was Prakash’s strong attachment to Nepal. He worked in Hong Kong for three years, and he has repeatedly commented, “The time in Hong Kong is one of my best memories.”

With all the parties, how could this fun-loving being not enjoy Hong Kong? However, Prakash has chosen to return to Nepal, a place he named it ‘wonderland’, and a place he called ‘home’.

About 30km south of Luang Prabang, clear water of Kwang si waterfall cascades over limstone formations, forming multiple pools at different levels. A scenic place for photography, a nice pinic spots for relaxation and a cool place for some splash.

Up a flight of stairs we climbed, to the top of Phu Si Hill at the centre of Luang Prabang. Two hours away from evening, dozens of people already taken their seats, waiting patiently for that beautiful sunset.
Faces from different part of the world, focusing in one direction, calmness filled the air.
Does it matter that sunset wasn’t as beautiful as what I hoped it would be? I guess not.

A handful sticky rice, a sincere offering from the men and women. Rain or dry, on the pavement they wait, to offer food that fills the monks’ stomach, to offer food that fills their hearts.
The morning alms is a local practice in Luang Prabang, as the city open up to tourism, foreign faces start to join the locals. According to information provided, the collecting of alms starts at 6a.m every morning, but when I reached the main street at 5.45a.m, the street was cleared.
Bearing in mind a local’s advice, I tried my luck again at 5a.m the next day morning, and the monks came down the street at around 5.15a.m.
A few things to take note should you be interested to join the locals: your feet must never ever be pointed at anyone; a woman must always keep her head lower than the monks, meaning a man can stand while offering the food, but the women have to kneel down; the women’s shoulders and knees should be covered.