Myanmar Trip-Mid March 2014

I wanted to write a summary of this trip, but simply has been delaying this, one day after another, which is bad, haha.

But I think I out to write something.
It was nice to be back to Yangon, after a lapse or 6-7 years since my last trip there. Many changes taking place, for a start, now they have a better tarred roads, many cars (they have traffic jams, sky are not as blue as before, more new restaurants mushrooming, and things are getting more expensive. Taking a taxi from the airport to city centre now cost about USD 8 per single trip.
Mobile SIM cards can be bought at airport, and cost more than USD 25 which to me is rather expensive.
People are still very nice in Yangon, but I think, in my opinion, has slowly gone more materialistic. I guess no body can ever run away from the trap of wanting more, materially. I hope I will be able to see very innocent, very down to earth, very nice  Burmese still, 10 years down the road. I hope to see this, really, that development does not change them much.....only my personal wish.
The good thing was meting old friends in Yangon, and spending sometime hear going around with Htwe-htwe and Judy was good, as we talked about a lot of topics from the past.....we good reminiscing as you are getting older, and our next plans...,may be together....haha.

And I am most happy when I was in Mandalay for the first time, meeting Thiha as my tour guide, a young chap just over 22 years old, and also meeting That Jhi was very nice experience, esp the latter. even though first time meeting him, he invited me for lunch and bring me to his friend's place, who makes jade jewelleries, and I really appreciate his kindness (note.--he is of course financially quite rich to afford, but this is not the key issue, I think important is, his courtesy and friendship. He even offered to send me to the airport in the morning, though I have already arranged an airport transfer.
And I really like Myanmar, or Mandalay, they are really safe in the sense that you do not feel like someone is following you, no one is snatching your bags or wallets, and it is safe to be around. And when the younger friends greet you, they address you as "brother". which is very nice. I really hope to go back, may be for a longer term, and if there is something nice there, for me to work or having a biz joint venture, I am willing. At least for a few years, I do not mind. It is like going back to your childhood, where everyone will treat everyone well, and you do not need to worry about your neighbourhood, worry about safety, and food is still good.....I wish.

Thank you Myanmar for giving me this feeling, for making my short-trip so meaningful.

Choong
BM

                                         The famous teak wood bridge

Tax Return-VAT and Money

This is something out of my planning. I brought extra cash, and two days ago, taking into consideration some of the purchases I made, and expected tax return that I am expected to have, and not wanting to keep so much Euro cash later, I have used my remaining 500 Euro to pay for my purchases in cash. And today, when I went to LV shop to get belt, the sales lady told me that the last country I exited will be the country that will give my tax refund. And I asked her, is Poland part of EU, she said yes, but I told her, Euro is not being used. ANyhow, tomorrow I need to confirm with the customer officers at Nice but chances are slim for me to get my tax return here, which means I will only get them once I leave Poland/Warsaw, which also means I will not get this tax refund tomorrow. I expect this to be part of my traveling budget, and when I heard this, I was shocked. My plan goes upside down a bit, and I have to immediately fall back on my contingency plan, that is replan what I want to do, and also use some of my other currencies back-up to get additional fund, this is at least what I can do for now. And some activities I might need to cut down, like buying some crystal wear here. Oh my my, this is beyond my expectation and I need to control my budget for the next few days, just to make sure..... But I am sure, it will turn out well, as I am the survivor, haha. Choong Nice, France