....this is a multi-language blog which muslim bloggers sharing their experience during their journey to Myanmar....... here I am trying to blog about my trip and vacation to Myanmar .... My whole trip experience will be covered in my several blogs...... some of the photos and experience here was cut and paste from others muslim blogger who have visit Myanmar before and the link of original blog was provide at the end of each blog ....hope it will benefit for future muslim traveller . I will write (also cut n paste) as n when I get time


Saturday, June 19, 2010

Myanmar Muslim Tour : Myanmar Shopping Places

Gems Market and Museum

Gems Market and Museum next door to Kaba Aye Pagoda has jewellery shops and museum.




Bogyoke Market

Bogyoke Market was first built and inaugurated on the present premises in 1926. It was named Scott Market after Mr. C. Scott, the Municipal Commissioner. Nowadays, it is called Bogyoke Aung San Market in honor of our national leader General Aung San who was assassinated in 1947. Bogyoke Aung San Market is situated in the heart of Yangon - on Bogyoke Aung San Road. There are 1,641 shops selling luxury items, handicrafts, foodstuffs, clothing, jewellery, fashion and consumer goods. The market is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm except gazette holidays.

Chinatown

Chinatown that exotic enclave within exotic Myanmar, makes a visit so much more uniquely, unconventionally informal and fantastically bizarre. A place, however, that you must see and experience, or else trip to Myanmar is marginally incomplete. It is in the evening that the place really takes off and amazing environment unlike any you have ever experienced. The streets are lined with four-story plastered brick town-houses, whitewashed in faded pastel creams, blues and yellows with facades studded with ornamental scrollwork. Since the people in town gather to Chinatown for Chinese food, barbeque, beer and liquor, it bustles on to 2 am with open shops and plenty of good food. The most striking feature in the Chinatown is the hundred of gold shops, fruits and vegetables venders that dominate the both side of the main road. Fruit especially mandarin oranges from the Shan State, apples from Kachin State and China, water-melons, bananas, durian, guava, mangosteen, pear, pomelo,grapes, litchee, plum, rambutan and mango, strawberry at the season.
On one side are the glass enclosed display counters in which gold ornaments, predominately rings, necklaces and pendants. Sidewalk diners have dishes and delicacies of egg or wheat noodles, grilled meats, deep fried spring rolls, etc.
It is good to enjoy Chinatown after the city sightseeing, by stroll slowly and experience the place in time in an environment quite unfamiliar with. Listen, smell, touch, taste and see Chinatown.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Myanmar Muslim Tour : Where and how to buy stone, antics, ruby and jewellery in Burma (Myanmar)

Where and how to buy stone, antics, ruby and jewellery in Burma (Myanmar)



Mogkok, Joseph Kessel, and Burmese ruby !!!

The most beautiful rubies in the world come from Burma, and most of them, from Mogok Stone Track, including the world famous "pigeon blood".

In Mogok, you can find spinelsand some rubies directly on the floor while you are walking in the street. It is true, we found often, it is called "tea ruby".
But do not believe it is like this everywhere in Burma and that you will get a 1 kg crystal clear ruby for nothing.

Auction !

2 times per year is organized by the government in Yangon, and under thigh security, an auction sale of most beautiful jades and precious stones of Burma.
At that time , you should be able to buy exceptional stones (price !!). If you cannot buy such stones, go and visit the gem museum. You will see some beautiful specimens.

Never, Never buy in the street!!!

There is no (never) street vendor that can sell you a ruby or sapphire big as your thump.
Even if the "ruby" or "sapphire" can scratch glass, it is not a proof.
It is always fake stone! (especially if the stone is perfect and crystal clear, government will have taking tfirst, this is a very serious business in Myanmar).

Where you should buy ?

The purchases must be done in jewellery shop where you can get an official certificate to carry out of Burma your purchase. Without this certificate, you cannot bring gold or precious stones out of the country (if the customs catch you).

Jewellery shop will give a discount if you do not want the certificate. Take the chance, (tiny), to be catched with your purchase by the customs.

You can find a really pretty ring for 100 or 200 dollars (take cash, credit cards are not allowed in Myanmar). It will not be a Cartier ring, but nevertheless you will have a pretty souvenir from Myanmar.



Antics and Buddha statue

The real old Buddha statues were not allowed for exportation, except for religious purpose.

Currently, you can not export old Buddha statue, even for religious purpose. Anyway, there is no more really old statue, all the main one are strictly recorded by the Government and it is better taht they stay in Myanmar, no ?

Please do not buy head of Buddha. People cut the head in the pagoda and they sell them after to the tourist. Many have already disappear, even from Pindaya.

Buy a nice statue to a talented workshop and you will have something really nice, new, and you will help the handicraft shop.

Lacqueware

You can buy in Myanmar, especially around Bagan, beautiful Burmese lacque ware.

Some information to make a good buy :

- The final quantity of layer is very important for the final quality of the lacqueware. It takes 2 to 4 weeks to dry one layer, the best lacqueware may have up to 15 layers.

- The material itself where you apply the lacquer is very important, bamboo, wood, papier mâché, carton, teak...

- A real lacqueware is embossed or engraved, not painted. All the colours are natural colours from sand, stone and flowers. It is never painting.

- A good trick is to check if there is small dust clue on the lacqueware (you can see it easily, it looks like small ball). It means the lacqueware was not stored and dried in proper condition (special dust proof chamber).

- The raw material comes from a tree. After you may add ashes or cotton rob to make it stronger. It is not car lacquer.

- Lacquerware pot can stand heat or cold, but if you break it it is not possible to repair it.


Myanmar Muslim Tour : Myanmar Shopping Places

Gems Market and Museum

Gems Market and Museum next door to Kaba Aye Pagoda has jewellery shops and museum.




Bogyoke Market

Bogyoke Market was first built and inaugurated on the present premises in 1926. It was named Scott Market after Mr. C. Scott, the Municipal Commissioner. Nowadays, it is called Bogyoke Aung San Market in honor of our national leader General Aung San who was assassinated in 1947. Bogyoke Aung San Market is situated in the heart of Yangon - on Bogyoke Aung San Road. There are 1,641 shops selling luxury items, handicrafts, foodstuffs, clothing, jewellery, fashion and consumer goods. The market is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm except gazette holidays.

Chinatown

Chinatown that exotic enclave within exotic Myanmar, makes a visit so much more uniquely, unconventionally informal and fantastically bizarre. A place, however, that you must see and experience, or else trip to Myanmar is marginally incomplete. It is in the evening that the place really takes off and amazing environment unlike any you have ever experienced. The streets are lined with four-story plastered brick town-houses, whitewashed in faded pastel creams, blues and yellows with facades studded with ornamental scrollwork. Since the people in town gather to Chinatown for Chinese food, barbeque, beer and liquor, it bustles on to 2 am with open shops and plenty of good food. The most striking feature in the Chinatown is the hundred of gold shops, fruits and vegetables venders that dominate the both side of the main road. Fruit especially mandarin oranges from the Shan State, apples from Kachin State and China, water-melons, bananas, durian, guava, mangosteen, pear, pomelo,grapes, litchee, plum, rambutan and mango, strawberry at the season.
On one side are the glass enclosed display counters in which gold ornaments, predominately rings, necklaces and pendants. Sidewalk diners have dishes and delicacies of egg or wheat noodles, grilled meats, deep fried spring rolls, etc.
It is good to enjoy Chinatown after the city sightseeing, by stroll slowly and experience the place in time in an environment quite unfamiliar with. Listen, smell, touch, taste and see Chinatown.

Myanmar Muslim Tour : Yangon: Sule Paya, Independent Monument, Mahaboondola Garden, City Hall & Immanuel Baptist Church

Yangon: Sule Paya, Independent Monument, Mahaboondola Garden, City Hall & Immanuel Baptist Church

The stretch of Strand Road from Botataung Pagoda to Mahabandoola Garden Street was actually a lot further than it seemed from the map. We walked and walked, anticipating for Mahabandoola Garden Street to appear for us to turn into. We passed the Post Office, the British Embassy and the posh-looking Strand Hotel. Policemen surrounded the law court and had barricades installed to prevent pedestrian passage. We were walking ahead when a policeman stopped us and told us to detour. It was a blessing in disguise as we found a comfy Mr Brown cafe to take a break from our long walk. Thanks to the friendly staff at the cafe, we found ourselves walking past the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank building along the right street and already the Garden where the Independent Monument is located was slowly coming into our view. At the entrance, there were two guards sitting under a standing umbrella. We were told to pay USD2 for entrance.

The obelisk, Independent Monument, in Mahabandoola Garden. There are Chinthe (Chinese lion-looking animals) statues surrounding the monument. It's interesting to see obelisks all around the world. I've seen them in Jakarta, Paris, UK and now, Yangon too!


This is the High Court building which I had mistaken for a church. It was funny because I went through the tiny gate door to the guardhouse to ask for entry into this church, where I was instantly refused. When I admired its Victorian architecture from the garden grounds, I realised it looked English but it was nothing like a church!


These two little girls were running around in the gardens while their parents laid resting among some flower bushes. The garden seemed to be a popular date spot as I saw several couples here and there, whispering to each other with shoulders meeting under small umbrellas.


Inscriptions on the marble walls at the base of the monument


City Hall


Banner at the entrance of the Immanuel Baptist Church


Surrounding the Mahabandoola Garden are some important landmarks such as the City Hall, the Immanuel Baptist Church, the High Court and a famous pagoda, Sule Paya. We met some mobile money changers as we were heading towards the church. We had been warned by Three Season Hotel staff members to avoid doing foreign currency exchanges with mobile money changers. They'd give you an unbelievably good exchange rate while will get you to jump right into the deal. Once the notes are exchanged, money changers are nowhere to be found and you'll realise, in the handed big stack of notes, about a third of it has been folded to make it look thicker than it really is.

It had started to drizzle and the idea of sitting in the church felt so welcoming. The church warden welcomed us and ushered us to the upper floor. The ground floor looked like an office. The church hall looked old but, clean. It was airy as its big windows are open, also allowing much light to enter. I chose a bench to sit and R joined me. In silence and seated, we both looked around. I tried to absorb the spirituality which churches exuberate. It felt serene and gentle. What we find most special about this church is its ceiling. The chandeliers that hung from the ceiling were all different! We caught ourselves laughing at this unexpected finding and the images of this instilled in my mind were comical yet adorable. Did some people donate these to the church? I would not be surprised.

The church hall of Immanuel Baptist Church


At least, they were symmetrical :)


View of Sule Paya from the church's window


Immanuel Baptist Church


By now, R's foot was hurting more than the morning when we flew from Bangkok. I had asked her to rate her pain from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least and it was 5. She said it might have been an ache which was caused by wearing heels over long hours. I thought if that is the case, the walking would probably not aggravate but, I was wrong. The following day, R began to limp and the pain level might have gone up to 6 or 7, which she later confirmed. We had to see the doctor for her to feel better.

We walked across to Sule Paya as the drizzle was becoming heavier. If I remember correctly, we paid USD2 for each entry and an additional USD1 for bringing a camera. It started pouring heavily when we had barely started our tour around the pagoda. In all the places of Buddhist worship we have visited in and around Yangon, footwear has to be left at the entrance of the temple or pagoda.

Sule Paya


Golden roof of many tiers with heavily carved designs


People in Myanmar likes to know where the tourists are from. While we were viewing the temple's bookshop which sells books on Buddhism in Myanmar language, a friendly elder came and talked to us. He told us of his son who is studying abroad in Japan, upon learning R's origin. I had asked him about the inscriptions that were on cemented slabs surrounding the temple. Apparently, these are name of donors who had contributed to the building and/or maintenance work of the temple.

While it was raining, R and I sat under the shelter to enjoy the ambience. It felt so wonderful with my eyes closed, listening to the sounds of the rain and the bells from the hti.


A man praying a prayer room with a big Buddha statue, away from the wetness of the rain


People with umbrellas and places to go


While waiting for the rain to stop, I thought I'd just check the map on Lonely Planet for the Jewish Synagogue and Hindu temple we planning to visit after our late lunch. I was rummaging into my bag, I realised my Lonely Planet book was nowhere to be found. Panic striked. This time, I did a more thorough check and even removed some of the contents from my bag. No Lonely Planet! Oh dear, where have I misplaced it? R tried to calm me down by recalling when she last saw me refering to the book. I was still refering to the book when we left the garden for the church. It MUST be in the church! Ok, there wasn't much point to worry although at the back of my head I was thinking, oh dear, now I don't even know where to go. I felt so lost without the book and it's no fun going to places, not knowing anything about the place. The book is somewhat like the treasure map with all its hints to all these wonderful places. It's ok, D, it will be at the church, I told myself.

When the heavy rain turned into a light drizzle, we headed back to the church. I had explained to the warden about my predicament and asked if he's seen a book. According to R later, he had actually replied that this is not a bookshop. Hahaha! I was too worried about the book to actually make out what he has said. I asked if he could let me go into the hall to check and he allowed.

I headed straight the bench which I took earlier but, the book was not there. I searched the neighbouring benches and found nothing either. An elder, who must have seen me frantically searching, asked what I might be searching for. Right after my explanation, he led me to a bench on the opposite side of the aisle and THERE was my Lonely Planet! I could hear an orchestra of violins going Ta Da in my head! I was overjoyed and relieved beyond words!

We were just about to leave the church when we thought we'd take another break. I know R's hurting whenever she walked and it was a feat on her part to continue the tour. She never complained or asked for breaks, which worried me. Perhaps, her excitement of the trip drowned the pain, I don't know.

We took the bench at the back of the church. When the same elderly man took a young girl's arm and led her down the aisle to the instrumental music of 'Here comes the bride', we realised we were actually witnessing the rehearsal of a church wedding ceremony in Yangon. Watching the scenes of this thrilled us!

Wedding ceremony rehearsal


We headed to the street behind the City Hall, in search of the 999 Shan Noodle Shop for a late lunch with a positive cue from Lonely Planet.

Old, mouldy building


The street where the 999 Shan Noodle Shop is located


I was so hungry, I ordered two bowls of noodles and shared the second bowl with R. My first order was Hnyat Khauk Swai (Noodle Soup)


It's spicy and a little oily but it tasted delicious. The steaming hot tea tasted so good and relaxed me from a long day of walking.


Next order was this Shan noodle, which was under the salad section. I had asked the lady boss if the noodles were served cold and as explained, it wasn't. It tasted good but the first order was still way better. This one is oily and the sauce tasted a little like the sauce used in Rojak. So, it tasted strange to me.


After our lunch, we took a taxi to the Museah (Moseah) Yeshua Synagogue and Sri Siva Temple. The taxi driver, who looked nervous and also, spoke nervously, didn't know where the place is. We showed him the map and explained the directions to him. But, I think he was more lost than we were. It was at the corner of the junction that meets Mahabandoola Road and Konzaydan Street. We weren't sure where we were heading next after we turned into a street from Merchant Street. I think we were dropped off near the Theingyi Plaza, which is two street away from the desired destination. At least, we knew we're on Mahabandoola Road. So, now to find the Jewish and Hindu temples. We walked many streets down but didn't see any temples of these sort. In fact, we almost went into a Buddhist temple, thinking it was Hindu! Hahahaha! I told R that we needed to ask for directions from any ladies with a 'Bindi' (a dot worn on Hindu women's foreheads) and we did eventually find one. She gave us some directions, which we followed, only to be met with a mosque! 0_o

At the entrance of a mosque, a muslim passerby was happy to see us. He explained that the obvious building is a mosque and that it is a hundred years old. A lady sitting at the entrance porch of the mosque pointed at the opposite green building and mustered, "Muslim School".

Busy street along Mahabandoola Road


Islamic school, Shwe Bontha Street


Bengali Sunni (Sunne) Jameh Mosque, Shwe Bontha Street


It was getting dark, making vision a little difficult in a poorly lit, crowded street with uneven pavements. I watched the ground the entire time, making sure to avoid tripping over unleveled grounds. There were little or no street lights on some streets. The stall vendors installed their own lights or tried to get some light from other stalls that do. Some were literally selling their wares in near darkness.

Uneven pavements and street stalls


Sule Paya from a pedestrian bridge during dusk


We gave up trying to look for the temples. We tried looking for the buildings from the pedestrian bridge in the hopes of getting a better view, but to no avail. We finally hailed a cab to get back to the hotel. This taxi driver was friendly and spoke more English than the previous one. He drove a muscle car with the interior cushions lining the doors removed. So, you can see the bare metal frame of the door. The interior lamp had been improvised with a primitive switch of joining the wires to connect the circuit. When we asked him for direction of the synagogue, it took him a while to close the circuit to turn on the lamp so that he can see the map on my book. He's extremely nice and we chatted with him all the way till we reached the hotel. He has been a taxi driver for 12 years. Before he became a taxi driver, he was a tour guide 15 years ago. Times were good then, he said. On top of his salary, he was given travel allowance for his traveling expenses outside Yangon when he was running the tours. The tour company he had worked for went bankrupt because tourism became scarce. I asked him for his thoughts on tourism in his country. I am eager to know because I've come across various articles about tourism in Myanmar including websites of Aung San Suu Kyi being somewhat against tourism for good reasons and another of her stating that tourism may help. The taxi driver looked demented as he recalled the loss of his job 15 years ago and did think that tourism is good for his people and country. The same sentiment was shared by another driver who brought us to Bago and Thanlyin.

In the days to come, I felt sadden to learn about Myanmar through observation of the places of visit. How can a country so rich in many natural resources from previous stones to minerals, oil and water be housing people that are so poor? The streets and public ammenities are so badly maintained. They have all these natural resources every country dreams of having, yet the people are not even living in conditions half as good at these lacking countries.

Myanmar Muslim Tour : Myanmar National Races Village

National Races Village

The National Races Village is located near the Yangon-Thanlyin bridge. Like I've said in my earlier post, the visit was a disappointment. We were really hoping to get an enriching cultural and educational experience but the visit left us unsatisfied and grumpy, partially due to the extremely hot weather. The website provided by the link above is concise and informative.

While the buildings and household items passed the authenticity tests, the actors were not dressed in their ethnic traditional attire, nor were they performing an ethnic activity. There were no proper labels or explanation as to items exhibited, which made the whole setup to a place so vast a pity.

An observation tower with similar architecture to Nan Myint Tower of the Mandalay Royal Palace


Kachin woven house


Weaving machine




Interior of the house


I like the woven walls


A wall of arranged bamboo poles


On our way back to Yangon, we saw a yard with corrugated iron drums stacked in a neat pile


Myanmar Muslim Tour : Yangon: Myanmar Gems Museum & Gems Mart, National Museum, Kandawgyi Lake and Bogyoke Aung San Market

Yangon: Myanmar Gems Museum & Gems Mart, National Museum, Kandawgyi Lake and Bogyoke Aung San Market

The trip to the Myanmar Gems Museum and the National Museum was rather disappointing. At the gems museum, I had expected to learn how gems or minerals are extracted from the earth but none of these, nor of how these are processed were published. All of the items on display were briefly labeled. As with the National Museum, the halls were poorly lit and the items were not described in much detail. It fell short of being educational to the visitor and behaved more like a rather dull 3-D picture book with labels of a few words.

The Myanmar Gems Museum is located at the third floor of the building with the bottom three floors occupied by Gems stores. As R's movement was limited by the pain of her foot, she hopped so as not to apply pressure on the problematic foot. After going pass the security check, we immediately headed to the elevator only to be stopped by the guard. The lift is not to be used. So, there were three flights of stairs to conquer and R managed to inch her way up.

As the museum building is on the hill and on the third floor, this allowed us to appreciate the view of Myanmar. Much later, we could see the Maha Pasana Cave from inside the museum. The entrance fee was USD5. While we were making this payment, the attendant was promoting the sale of a souvenier book that details all the gems found in Myanmar. Sadly, the book was an attempt of the attendant trying to earn additional revenue as it was more a home project of compiled photocopies and pasted cut-outs precious stones pictures.

Inside the museum, all encased in glass are gem stones and mineral stones. There were complete tea sets of different type of jades. According to the guide, black jade is not as valuable as green ones. Jade quality is identified based on its greenness and clarity although white jade fetches high price too.

On display were varying shades of rubies, jade, saphires, agate, aquamarine, moonstones and so forth with clarity and deeper, darker shades fetching higher prices. There were two big showcases; one depicting fishes in an aquarium while the other a model of Shwedagon; both covered with precious stones and metals.

At the other side of the museum were displays of metals that Myanmar produce. We have gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, tungsten and several more. And, there were other minerals made up of several elements, which I cannot now remember. Photography is not permitted, which is a pity as I'd have like to take pictures of these minerals. It was from this visit that it hit me how filthy rich Myanmar is. In addition to these minerals, there's oil and water, and its fertile soil enriches a healthy produce of agriculture. Yet, its people are one of the poorest in the world where proper sanitation and medical amenities are still lacking in many parts of its country. This has attracted many NGOs and volunteers from all regions of the world to help improve living conditions of its people especially those in the rural areas.


The building in plain sight from the road with its big sign



View of houses in the midst of the green from the building


Largest jade boulder by the entrance of the museum building


A label underneath the big stone detailing its origin and dimensions


At the National Museum, we were greeted by the first hall of inscriptions where written engravings were found on wood and gold sheets. Again, photography is not permitted. These were followed by ancient writings and modern literature. The museum has five floors, with each floor showing interesting exhibits of Myanmar royal regalia, architecture, jewelery, religion, culture, history and art. There was even this grand throne hall where the only of the eight thrones remain, the Lion Throne. Like an ancient treasure seen in a Sinbad movie (imagine the throne in a cave for more effects of forbiddance, ancientness and rarity), the heavily-crafted throne of gold and all precious metals on earth stands like a gate on a solid high platform. Where the King sat, he must have appeared so high and unreachable to anybody. (Other links on Myanmar thrones found here and here)

I particularly like the display of traditional Myanmarese musical instruments. I wished they had more to tell of what was displayed.


Image linked from The Thrones of Myanmar Kings by Ma Thanegi



I can't quite remember the chronicle of events; whether we visited the Bogyoke Aung San Market first before heading to Lake Kandawgyi. Anyway, the trip to the market was short because I didn't bring enough cash to spend and R didn't seem to be keen to make any purchase. Since we could easily exchange money at our hotel, I've carried only enough Kyat and US dollars to last the day while keeping the rest of my US dollars safely locked in R's luggage back at the hotel. While the trip to the market was pre-planned, I had come unprepared with just enough money to spend them all on some souveniers (t-shirts) to bring home. The market kind of reminded me of the Russian Market in Phnom Penh. As Myanmar is famous for its gemstones, there are a lot of gem shops in the market. Also in great numbers were textile shops, selling designs of all sorts for making longyis.

I wondered if Min-U had found it peculiar that we have had an especially brief shopping spree. Once again, we were back on the road and soon found ourselves advancing towards Lake Kandawgyi. Prior entry, Min-U had told us to stay quiet to let him do the talking. Later, I realised he had done this to save us the entrance fee by having us guised as locals, which I thought was really sweet of him. I am very much grateful for Min-U's consideration. Throughout our trip, he would drive us to the venue as close as possible so as to save R from walking. He was doing exactly that at Lake Kandawgyi. I requested to be stopped at several spots to grab a few pictures. At one such spot, I had found a couple sitting side by side amongst the tall grass by the bank of the lake. How sweet, I thought.

Kandawgyi Palace Hotel


Karaweik, Floating Royal Barge


Shwedagon Paya across Lake Kandawgyi


A school bus in which two particular students kept waving to us for a long while before they turned into a junction. The children have such beautiful smiles.



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