travel
- 21 Jan, 17
- by Dale
- in to Burma 2017, travel
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We’re off in a longtail boat for a day-long trip around Inle Lake. On the way out, for a cool photo, the people next to us were throwing food in the air…they got their shot and the birds got breakfast.
- 20 Jan, 17
- by Dale
- in to Burma 2017, travel
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Flying out of the ultramodern Changi airport very early this morning, it was neat to see one of the old-fashioned departure boards, the kind that noisily flip cards to change their info. Brings back memories of being hypnotized by the giants at the Frankfurt airport.
Going to Myanmar (Burma) has been a goal for a very long time. When Aung San Suu Kyi was freed, US sanctions were eased, and elections were held and recognized, it was finally possible. Having been to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore and up into Bhutan, this brings us close to fully punching the ticket for this part of the world. (Nepal is next.)
Flying into the Yangon Airport is one of those old and new contrasts seen everywhere. The old airport, abandoned, stands between the brand new international and domestic terminals. Those new terminals have the air-conditioning cranked all the way up and host somewhat depressing reminders of the outside world.
- 19 Jan, 17
- by Dale
- in to Burma 2017, travel
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Singapore has two botanical attractions. One is the more traditional Singapore Botanic Garden. With its massive collection of 3000 species and hybrid orchids, 250 varieties of ginger, and a Michelin-starred restaurant, it is a must-visit.
The other is also spectacular and a bit weird, the Gardens by the Bay. Above you see the “trees” that provide ventilation to the complex and behind them, one of the two greenhouses.
It’s easily accessible by subway but today we grabbed an Uber. Getting around Singapore by Uber is incredibly easy and cheap. Also an opportunity to chat with locals. One told us he drives into Malaysia on the weekends for the cheaper seafood and that he had a strong feeling about the Orange One just by looking at his hair – not a good feeling.
- 19 Jan, 17
- by Dale
- in to Burma 2017, travel
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Singapore, thank goodness, recognized a long time ago that even with its rapid modernization, its past was worth keeping close at hand.
We started the day hungry and found our way to stacks of baskets which could mean only one delicious thing: dim sum.
15 hours and 10,000 miles later, we found ourselves at Singapore’s Changi Airport. A touch of home, we’ll see chickens everywhere since Chinese New Year is imminent, the Year of the Rooster.
The airport is a marvel of efficiency where their goal is to get you out of the airport within 30 minutes, regardless of your origin.
Although it would last but a day, it was great to see Google Fi phone service was working and at the same rates as home.
We had been here before and gotten fond of our hotel, the Naumi Liora. It’s built into a row of shophouses on the edge of Chinatown. (By the way Chinatown isn’t a historically Chinese enclave.)