MYANMORE Magazine - No.7/ May 2017

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Yangon, Mandalay & Beyond

No. 7 / May 2017 It’s free!

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Paribawga: Bringing Myanmar Furniture to the Next Level Photography Myo Min Tun (Smile Studio)

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MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 5

contents what’s on 8

Cover Story

promotions 10 business listings 11 movies 12 new openings 14 briefings 15 special 17 cover story 22 PARIBAWGA: Furnishing Myanmar

22

music 28 Mandalay's Music Man art Big Star: Mandalay's First Female-run Tattoo Artist 29

Special

Music

17

28

In Love with Myanmar: A Conversation with Chartchai Ketnust 30 travel 32 (The Remote Valleys) South of Mount Victoria profile Be Cool 36 Jean-Michel Romon COO, FMI Air 38 Gastronomy 39 Review: The Garden CafĂŠ: Mingun's Riverside Oasis Review: Bagan by Night Horoscope 43

Travel

Art

32

36

Myanmore Card Deals 44 Sports / Wellness 46 TRX Suspension Training

6 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

what's on

Yangon

www.facebook.com/BarBoonMyanmar

Art & Stage

12th-14th May 2017 / 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM On the occasion of La French Touch festival, The Institut Francais de Birmanie & Digital District are proud to impulse the Virtual Reality in Yangon.

Virtual Reality is to digital what color was to black & white. Knowing that fact, we can only embrace what the future has prepared for us. The future for Digital District is the development of the VR ART FEST with the Institut Français Birmanie (IFB). | Free Admission.

9FFE DUTCH DELI | ESPRESSOBAR

JUICE OF THE MONTH

watermelon, papaya, lime, mint BarBoon | FMI-Centre | No.380 Bogyoke Aung San Rd.| Pabedan Tsp. | Yangon BarBoon | Vantage Tower | No. 623 Pyay Rd. | Kamayut Tsp. | Yangon BarBoon | Mandalay Airport | D4-B Mandalay Int’l Airport | Mandalay Region BarBoon | NPT Airport | Airport Departure Hall | Nay Pyi Taw

Virtual Reality Art Festival Yangon 2017

Institut Français de Birmanie - 340, Pyay Rd, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon

KPOP Festival 2017 6th May 2017 / 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Korean Pop singers groups! EXO, NCT127, TRAX and Matilda will be on the stage! Ticket prices are 50,000 Kyats for general access, 150,000 Kyats for VIP access and 300,000 Kyats for VVIP. You can buy ticket from City Mart, Yoogane and Shop.com.mm Thuwannabhumi Event Park - No.8/11 (B), Thanthuma Rd, Thingankyun Tsp, Yangon

Embassy of Musical Mastery 8th May 2017 / From 6:30 PM “Embassy of Musical Mastery” classical music concert that will take place in Yangon. On the stage of National Theatre of Yangon young Russian soloists, laureates of international competition will perform: Alexey Morozov (flute) and Alexey Melnikov (piano). | Free Admission.

National Theatre of Yangon - Ywar Ma Kyaung St, Dagon Tsp, Yangon

WCS Myanmar with MMOtaku 21st May 2017 / 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Cosplay Event is coming back and this time World Cosplay Summit and MMOtaku organized an official event for Cosplayers. There will be competition and the winners can compete in the cosplay event which will held in Japan on August as representative cosplayers of Myanmar. For the ticket you can buy at MMOtaku (SinOhDan St), Swaw Matt (Dagon Center) and Kira Kira (KyunDaw St) with 5,000 Kyats.

MICT Park - Hlaing Campus, Hlaing Tsp, Yangon

Activity

TED Talk Yangon 2017 21st May 2017 / 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Join them at TEDxYangon 2017 at Rose Garden Hotel and experience

8 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

what's on

Clothes, Accessories and the best foods. And this time they plan to make Beach Themes because it is beside the Botahtaung harbor. Invited to you all.

Botahtaung Harbor, Botahtaung Tsp, Yangon

a uniquely inspirational day like no other. Engage with brilliant speakers and fellow attendees to exchange stimulating, challenging and thought-provoking ideas. Book now via shop.com. mm at http://bit.ly/2nqktP7. Ticket price of USD 100 (MMK 135,000) is inclusive of all talks, lunch, coffee breaks, snacks and evening drinks and supports the great cause of ideas worth spreading for TEDxYangon talks to be shared online.

TinTin Yangon - Bogalazay St, Botahtaung Tsp, Yangon

The Night Market

Rose Garden Hotel - 171 Upper Pansodan Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp, Yangon

27th-28th May 2017 / 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Design Workshop: Concept Thinking

School will reopen and rainy season will come, so this is where you can do for both. In this night market you can buy stationery for the kids and something like umbrella or shoe for the rainy season. And also when we go around the market and if tired you can also get foods there too. Free admission.

22nd May - 2nd June 2017 / 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Here’s a chance for you to be that differentiated designer and/or to produce / refine that unique design. By enrolling into this design studio workshop, you will have a chance to learn the design process which includes defining, research, ideation, concept generation, strategy implementation and evaluation. Only 8 students will allow for one group and there’s only two group. Group 1 is from 22nd May to 27th June (Every Monday and Thursday) and Group 2 is from 27th May to 2nd July (Every Saturday and Sunday).

Class fee is 390 USD per person. If you want more information contact to mmdesignini@gmail.com .

in Singapore to Yangon for a two night pop up of her popular spin on Modern Singaporean cuisine. A La Carte Menu From 7,000+ 3 Course Set Menu 30,000+ Paired Cocktails & Wine From 8,000++. Seating is limited to 25 guests per evening. RSVP Via : 09777459080.

People’s Park - Pyay Rd, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon

Boutique Brunch 14th May 2017 / 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Enjoy our à la carte brunch at the Savoy Hotel. All freshly cooked creations from our kitchen team to have a relaxed Sunday - not much walking around and no stress. Our Boutique Brunch has become even better - now you can enjoy apart from the delicious food selection, PROSECCO, House white and red wine, draft beer, fresh juices and coffee and tea without limitations. USD 36.- net per person with free flow beverages. RSVP Via : 01-526289, 526298, 526305.

Savoy Hotel Yangon - 129, Dhammazedi Rd, Sanchaung Tsp

Listings German Frühschoppen 7th May 2017 / 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM Welcome to our German Frühschoppen - the best bottomless boozy brunch! White sausages, sweet mustard, pretzels, potato salad, cabbage salad and much more! All you can drink and eat for 32,500 kyat. | RSVP : 09 784 151250.

Add or report a listing? Tell us!

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Mahlzeit - 84 Pann Hlaing St, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon

No. 42/E, Bo Yar Nyunt Road, 2nd Floor, Room 5, Dagon Tsp, Yangon

BKK Night Market 5th-7th May 2017 / 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM Hello, everyone asking about BBK night Market of May. Here it comes to you, start from 5th of May to 7th of May , for 3 days with new design

Dining

Guest Chef Shen Tan 6th May 2017 / 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Tin Tin is delighted to welcome Chef Shen Tan of Revolution Coffee MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 9

promotions

Nightlife

Ladies Night at Eclipse Eclipse launches their ladies night for your enjoyment. Buy any draught beer glass or tower, selected cocktails and receive another ONE for FREE. Be entertained by their foreign DJ Amilli and two beautiful singers every Tuesday. Offer applies to FEMALES ONLY and ONLY FOR DJ area.

Please reserve to ensure availability to 09442477778.

Eclipse Bar & Restaurant - 4th Floor, Myanmar Plaza, 192 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Tsp

Ladies Night at J Bar Enjoy a free drink for Ladies (Two Glasses) every Wednesday. FREE Entry and Live Entertainment by LNR Unplugged. Buy 1 Get 1 FREE Happy Hour from 5 pm - 7 pm.

J Bar - Jasmine Palace Hotel, 341 Pyay Rd, Sanchaung Tsp

Ladies Night at PorterHouse Enjoy Buy 1 Get 1 FREE all night on all the cocktails at every Thursdays. RSVP 09782000169.

PorterHouse - No.80 Kanbawza St, Shwe Taung Kyar Ward (1), Bahan Tsp

Ladies Night Every Wednesday 8 pm - 11:30 pm Ladies night in YangonYangon every Wednesday. DJ MR.Y at 8pm with Hip Hop, Rnb, House, etc. FREE cocktails to ladies at 7pm. 50% Off on Frozen cocktails. 20% Off on Sparkling Wine. HAPPY HOUR 5pm – 7pm. Bucket Beers Deal (Buy4 get 2).

Summer Palace's Dim Sum Festival is back from May to August with a refreshed selection for only USD 18 nett.

Available for Lunch Only.

223 Sule Pagoda Rd, G.P.O. Box 88, Yangon, Myanmar Tel: (95 1) 242 828 Fax: (95 1) 242 8000 ssyn@shangri-la.com www.shangri-la.com

10 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

Yangon Yangon Rooftop Bar - 339, Sakura Tower, Corner of Bogyoke Aung San Rd. & Sule Pagoda Rd., Pabedan Tsp.

Travel

Special Pre-Monsoon Promotion till 30th June A special Pre-Monsoon promotion for your special holidays to take a relax at Esperado Lake View Hotel with MMK – 89000 net per night for Premier City View Room and MMK – 99000 net per night for Premier Lake View Room, including Oil Massage for 1 time for 1 person.

Esperado Lake View Hotel - No.23, Kan Yeik Thar Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp

POOL DAYS at the GOVERNOR’S till September Introducing Pool Days at the Governor's every day from March through September.

Try the Pool + Dining Package, USD70 nett per person (USD40 per child) or relax with Pool + Spa Package, USD120 nett per person. Contact 01 229860 or reservations. tgr@belmond.com for more information or to make your Pool Day reservation.

Belmond Governor’s Residence - 35 Taw Win Rd, Dagon Tsp

The Water Spa @ Vintage Luxury Yacht Enjoy a 50% discount on total bill at the Water Spa at Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel for only May. Operation Hour - 9 am to 11 pm. Last Booking 10 pm via +951-901053235, +959-250846974.

Vintage Luxury Yacht - No (6), Botahtaung Jetty, Near Botahtaung Pagoda, Botahtaung Tsp

Dining

Business Set Lunch @ Mahlzeit Mon - Fri Enjoy the real german lunch at Mahlzeit with set menus with STARTERS, MAIN COURSE and DESSERT including Coffee & Tea, Dessert (Set Menu 2 only) Set Menu (1) : Main Course – 10000 ks (Per

business listings

Services

Asian Tigers Mobility Room 504, M.M.G Tower, #44/56, Kannar Rd, bet 41st - 42nd Sts , Botataung Tsp 01 250 290, 09 541 2751 yupar@asiantigers-myanmar.com http://www.asiantigers-mobility.com

Shine Professional Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services

Person) Set Menu (2) : Starters & Main Course – 16000 ks (Per Person) Only Starters- 8000 Ks (Per Person) Mahlzeit German Restaurant - 84 Pann Hlaing St, Sanchaung Tsp

STEAK Special Wednesday 6:30 pm - 11 pm STEAK special tonight and every Wednesday. Imported ribeye or striploin steak with chips/mash + peas/ beans. Plus a free draught beer, only 15,000 kyats.

The Fat Ox Bar Yangon - 81, 50th St. (middle block), Botahtaung Tsp.

No. 111/A, Nga Htat Kyee Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon 01 545700, 09 8612273, 09 260700712, 09 791799014 customerservice@shinelaundry.net http://shinelaundry.net

5àsec Myanmar Corner of Inya Road & Dhammazedi Road, Kamaryut Township, Yangon, Myanmar 09 454550945 info.mm@5asec.com http://www.5asec.com.mm

Click n' Clean New University Avenue Rd, Tat Lan Condo, Kamayut Tsp 09 7670 01226

Add or report a listing? Tell us!

09 779 003 701 / 702 sales@myanmore.com

LALIQUE Sule Square, Level 1, Room 115, Sule Pagoda Rd, Pabedan Tsp 09 964046996

79 Pansodan Street, Kyauktada Township, beside Rangoon Tea House, Yangon, Myanmar 09 457 183424 http://www.miaruby.co

SP Gems

Stay Informed Subscribe to our twice-a-week e-newsletter and keep yourself up to date! www.myanmore.com

Main Sales Gallery & Sales Office – Pun Hlaing Golf Club House, Pun Hlaing Estate, Hlaing Tharyar Tsp 01 687 777, 01 684 013 phgerental@spa-mm.com http://www.punhlaingestate.com

Star Residence Star City (A5 Building), Kyaik Khauk Pagoda Rd, Thanlyin Tsp 056-23150 (ext. 1166, 1162, 1128) leasing@ted-starcity.com https://www.starcityyangon.com

Shangri-La Serviced Apartments, Yangon Kan Yeik Tha Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp + 95 1 394 469 servicedapartments.slry@shangri-la.com http://www.shangri-la.com/yangon

Car Rental

Yoma Fleet B-1, 1st Floor, Yoma Bank Building, FMI City, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon, Myanmar 09 797 005366, 09 797 005370, 09 450003 5280, 09 254 126 940, 09 795 979676 soe@yomafleet.com http://www.yomafleet.com

Gems & Jewellery

Mia Ruby

Listings

Real Estate

No.30A, Pyay Rd, 7 Mile, Mayangone Tsp 01 660397, 01 666052, 01 666053 spgems.myanmar@gmail.com http://spgems-myanmar.com

Centurion Auto Group Limited 108, Yeik Thar 4th St, Thingangyun Tsp 01571586, 09250188232 info@centurionauto.com https://www.centurionauto.com

Health

Evergreen Dental Care Myanmar No.6, Min Ye Kyaw Zwa Road, corner of Pyay Road, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon, Myanmar 01 395 395 http://evergreendentalmm.com

Wellbeing

Beyond Boundaries Yoga No.28, Level 3, Boyar Nyunt St, Yaw Min Gyi, Dagon Tsp 09 776 436745 yogabeyondboundaries@gmail.com http://www.beyondboundariesyoga.com

Inya Day Spa Address 1 - 16/2 Inya Rd, Kamaryut Tsp | 01 537 907, 09 301 73497 Address 2 - 3rd Floor, Junction City, 354/D Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabaedan Tsp Address 3 - Star City, Kyaik Khauk Pagoda Rd, Thanlyin Tsp inyaspa@gmail.com http://www.inyaspa.com

Travel

Thahara No. 608, Floor 3, Merchant Rd, between Bo Son Pat & 31st Sts, Pabedan Tsp 01 441 3410, 09 42000 7010 info@thahara.com http://thahara.com

Myanmar Adventure Outfitters No. 2, Kwa Nyo Road, Quarter 2,, Lashio, Shan State 09795366426 info@myanmaradventureoutfitters.com http://www.myanmaradventureoutfitters. com

Discovery DMC Travel No. 42B, Pantra St, Dagon Tsp 01 375432, 01 388330 sales@discoverydmc.com http://www.discoverydmc.com

Living Irrawaddy Travel Services K-306, Manor Hari Apartments, Baho Rd, Ahlone Tsp 0973231488, 092001993, 0943055450 inquiry@myanmarlits.com http://myanmarlits.com

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 11

movies

Show Times Check up on our weekly guide available at newsstands, restaurants, cafes, bars and other establishments. Or log on to www.myanmore.com

Now Showing The Fate of the Furious Action, Adventure, Crime When a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of terrorism and a betrayal of those closest to him, the crew face trials that will test them as never before.

Oversize Cops Comedy, Action Oversize Cops is Thailand comedy Movie about 4 fat cops.

Khout Htee Lay Ma Lone Ta Lone (Myanmar movie) Drama Khout Htee Lay Ma Lone Ta Lone is directed by Mee Bwar with the Stars: Min Maw Kun, Soe Pyae Thazin and Aye Myat Thu.

12 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

movies

Coming Soon Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Set to the backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' continues the team's adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill's true parentage.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Action, Adventure, Fantasy Captain Jack Sparrow searches for the trident of Poseidon.

Alien: Covenant (Coming soon) Sci-Fi, Thriller The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise. When they uncover a threat beyond their imagination, they must attempt a harrowing escape.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Action, Adventure, Drama Robbed of his birthright, Arthur comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the sword from the stone, he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy - whether he likes it or not.

Credit to: http://www.imdb.com/ Cinemas in Yangon Junction Maw Tin 01 225 244 Junction Square 01 527 055 Mingalar Sanpya Cineplex 09 260 887 035 — 36, 01 230 3 165 Mingalar Cineplex (Gamone Pwint) 09 779 054 671 — 73 Mingalar Cinema 2(Dagon Centre (II) 09 732 54 091 — 92 Nay Pyi Daw 01 251 277, 01 251 288 Shae Saung Cinema 01 252 113, 01 388 034 Thamada Cinema 01 246 962, 01 246 963 Thwin 01 372 594, 01 388 033 Mega Ace (Tharkayta) 01 556 782 Mega Ace (Tamwe) 01 554 383 Mega Ace (North Okkalapa) 09 971 750 91 MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 13

new openings Yangon

Gloria Jean's Coffees @ Junction City 01 Cafe The Australian coffee house – which has stores in more than 35 countries – opened its doors in new opened junction city. They’ve got the usual suspects, plus specialty coffee and cakes.

an inimitable identity of their own.

Sushi Tei is no ordinaire dining restaurant, they provide an ethereal with an alluring ambience more than a dining experience just for you by setting themselves apart from the norm.

126, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan Township 01 526 526 10 am — 10 pm

Tokyo Dining City Japanese

01

Junction City, 2nd Floor, In front Of Bogyoke Market, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Pabaedan Township 09 974 589318 http://www.gloriajeanscoffees.com.mm 9 am — 9 pm

Cafe Amazon @ Junction City 02 Cafe

02

Coffee beans here are a mix of Arabica and Robusta from the hill-tribe region of Thailand. Signature drinks include Iced Latte Amazon, which gives a perfect blend of all main tastes—strong, creamy, but not too sweet, fresh milk or blueberry smoothie can be a choice for non-caffeine drinker. Staffs are friendly and attentive. Always greet customers with smile.

Corner of Bo Gyoke Aung San Rd and Shwedagon Pagoda Rd, Pabedan Township cafeamazon@pttoilmyanmar.com 099 750 45965 9 am — 9 pm

Sushi Tei Myanmar Japanese

03

14 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

Sushi Tei is where pristine culinary skills and incisive expertise with an innate appreciation of nature come together to inspire and enhance the experience of true Japanese dining.

Since their debut in 1994, they have combined the best that the expansive Japanese cuisine has to offer, marrying the intricacies of sashimi to the theatrical flair of teppanyaki with an innate intuition of local tastes to forge

In Tokyo Dining City you can able to select your favorite Japanese Premium Food. Now In Yangon, Tokyo Dining City at Sule Square. The Premium Food Hall, you can choose to eat what you want, at the same time and same place.

221, Lower Ground, Sule Pagoda Rd, Sule Square, Kyauktada Township 01 394 763 11 am — 10 pm

MENZO RAMEN Yangon 03

Japanese Menzo ramen prides itself in the selection of its fine ingredients. The meat is freshly brought every morning and even the salt is imported from Japan to achieve the perfect flavor balance in every dish.

19/A, Unit-15, Boyaryunt Street, Yaw Min Gyi Quarter, Dagon Township 01 11220052 11 am - 2 pm & 5:30 pm — 10 pm

Babylon Coffee Garden Cafe Located in the heart of Yangon and the shop look cool with its decorations.

And the Chef is work at England for 10 years and he also makes myanmar food are well-known in most restaurants of England. This shop are created with awesome myanmar foods and warm and helpful waiters with perfect smile.

new openings No.182, Mahabandoola Garden Street, Kyauktada Township 09 45888 4420 cafebabylon.mm@gmail.com 9 am — 9 pm

ELIZA Skin Republic Wellbeing A whole new experience for your skin, with the best service and cleanly care for Deep Cleansing and Facial Massage, Special Massage, Acne Care, Luxury Treatment, Pore-minimizing, Melasma and more for your satisfy.

No.40, Kyun Taw Rd, San Chaung Tsp 09 4449 26276 9 am — 9 pm

Mandalay

MAHA CHAI Restaurant Thai MAHA CHAI Restaurant is located in Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma). They serve the best Thai food particularly stir-fry, deep-fry, boil, curry or steaming including making salad and chili dip. They also have vegetarian dishes.

Their original intention is for everyone to be the same good taste and flavor every time.

No.30 27th Street, 68th St. & 69th St., Mandalay 09 259236878 mahachairestaurant@gmail.com 11:30 am — 3 pm & 5 pm — 10 pm

The Little Mushroom Coffee 04 Cafe Good Coffee is a pleasure , Good Friend are a treasure.

Corner of 35th and 61st Street, Mandalay 09 402763667 christylee.yoga@gmail.com 9 am — 9 pm

Mandalay Kitchen 05 Chinese, Myanmar Perching at the bank of Ayeyarwaddy River, Mya Nandar (Mandalay) Restaurant is another Amazing’s traditional teakwood building within a natural environment. All day dining with a Thai menu and views of the Ayeyarwaddy River.

Strand Road, Between 26th & 35th Street, Mandalay 02 66110 mnddailysales@gmail.com http://www.amazing-hotel.com 10 am — 9 pm 04

The ROCK Gastro Bar

06

A newly opened bar with amazing decorations in Mandalay with various beers. Foods are fresh and delicious with reasonable prices. When you’re at mandalay you should go The ROCK and feel the full taste of bar.

Zawtika Road, Between 32nd & 33rd Streets, 77th & 78th Streets, Chanayethazan Township, Mandalay 09 44400 2525 10 am — 11 pm

The M Steakhouse Western

05

The owner is an Internationally-trained local chef who is offering delicious steaks, chicken wings, ribs and more. Go for the food, not for the atmosphere.

65th Street, Between 30th & 31st Streets, Mandalay 09 778 863609 yanaing21@gmail.com 2 pm — 9 pm

06

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 15

briefings Yangon

Mandalay

Dining & Nightlife

Culture

Hard Rock Cafe Opens First Location in Myanmar

MANDALAY’S SAND PAGODA FESTIVAL

By Susan Bailey

Having wowed fans across the globe with its one-of-a-kind blend of music, entertainment and authentic American fare, the world-famous restaurant brand continues its expansion worldwide and opens its first cafe in Myanmar.

“Hard Rock Cafe has been looking forward to opening its first cafe in Myanmar and we could not have asked for a better destination to showcase the Hard Rock Cafe Yangon experience” said Steve Yang, Area Vice President Asia Pacific Hard Rock International.

Hard Rock Cafe is located on the fourth floor roof-top of the wellknown Myanmar Plaza, this mall location is adjacent to the iconic Inya lake and positioned between two of the city’s newest hotels: Sedona & Melia Hotel.

The cafe will seat indoor 192 guests, featuring a large feature bar, a VIP dining room and a custom-built karaoke room. Hard Rock Cafe also boasts a live indoor entertainment stage that will feature the best live music and Dj’s in Myanmar. The cafe offers a unique look at the history and at the future of music, with a one of a kind memorabilia collection from legendary and contemporary musicians from around the world. Some of the iconic memorabilia guests can expect include: The 16 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Malcolm Young, alongside contemporary artists such as Lady Gaga & Eminem. Additionally, Hard Rock Cafe Yangon will feature and display local Myanmar artist memorabilia from well-known, respected musicians such as Htoo Eain Thin and Zaw Win Htut.

Guests of Hard Rock Cafe Yangon can enjoy fresh, high-quality items from Hard Rock’s menu, including a selection of fan-favorite Legendary Burgers, and Hard Rock’s Smokehouse meats including succulent ribs, chicken and pork, cooked tender to perfection. In addition to its food, Hard Rock Cafe’s extensive, award-winning drinks menu will be on offer, serving a selection of signature cocktail favorites and Alternative Rock (alcohol-free) beverages, all available in Hard Rock’s souvenir, collectible glassware.

The Cafe’s Rock Shop will offer collectible Yangon city specific Hard Rock Cafe merchandise that can only be purchased at this retail location. It will display a diverse selection of its wellknown, classic t- shirts, city tees, ladies tees, kid’s items and coveted signature pins, this rock shop has something for everyone.

Myanmar loves a good festival. And thanks to the lunar calendar, there is at least one festival every month. Thingyan, Thadingyut and Tazaungdine are well known and very popular but some of the smaller full moon festivals are equally fascinating if you know where to go. This month, for Kason full moon, Mandalay’s sand pagoda festival is the place to be.

During Kason, members of the Min Thar Su Quarter build sand stupas, large structures of sand supported by wooden or bamboo frames. The tradition dates to the 18th century when the King of Inwa defeated parts of Thailand and forced members of the Thai royal family to move to Mandalay.

The Thais, with the King’s approval, were allowed to build sand stupas once a year as a part of their Songkran (Thai New Year) celebrations.

Even though the Thai royals have long since left, the people of Min Thar Su still partake in the sand stupa building ritual. There are two sites in the western quarter where annual celebrations take place.

Thae Pone Pagoda, which literally means ‘Sand Pile’, builds its stupa on the first day of the Myanmar New Year in April.

But the bigger, and most popular, celebration takes place at Mon Thisu

Pagoda during Kason. For three days, the normally quiet compound turns in to a lively hub of activity and revelry from 7 AM until 6 PM. The festival kicks off on the thirteenth day of Kason (8 May 2017), when the sand stupa will be built in a single day.

Women are not allowed to participate in the construction, and instead are tasked to support in other ways, such as providing water and assisting with cleaning tasks. But any man – young or old, local or foreign – can help in the process. Once the simple structure is finished, it is painted white and will stay in place until the full moon of Tabaung in March.

The next two days of Kason feature all the usual festival elements: pwe (monk donation processions), carnival-style games and, of course, lots and lots of traditional food. It is also common for wealthy Mandalay residents to earn merit by throwing money, creating a lively scrum as festival participants scramble for the bank notes.

Daw Ni Ni Lwin has resided near Mon Thisu her entire life and is excited about the upcoming festival. “I am happy to see the sand pagoda being built every year. It reminds me of my childhood and makes me proud of our quarter,” she said.

special

What can you eat at Junction City?

Level - 1 (Shop ) - BreadTalk Level - 2 (Shop) - Gloria Jean's Coffee - Old Town White Coffee - Shwe Pa Lin - Snow House

Manora The Chicken Rice Shop

Old Town White Coffee

Level - 3 (Shop) - KFC - Signature - Crystal Jade - Fuji - Bangkok Café - J'Donuts Level - 4 (Shop) - Paragon Chocz - Shwe Kaung - Sorabol Korean Restaurant - Pizza Hut - Thai Kitchen - The Chicken Rice Shop - Season Bakery - Chatime - Café Amazon

YKKO

Level - 5 (Shop) - Lotteria - Manora - IPPUDO - Black Canyon - Vestige - Astons - KOI Thé - YKKO - Golden Pho - Pan Swal Taw - Shwe Pa Lin - Kaung Kaung - Hong Bao - TITU'S - Yangon Bake House - Candy Land

Golden Pho

Food Court - Tint Tint - Sushi Onii - Imperial Garden - K-BIBI MBAP - Ayam Penyet - Juice Bar - CP Five Star Extra - Taiwan Snack - Pizza Express - Shwe Paw Mya Tin - Buthee - Golden Taste - 999 Shan Noodle - Latha Kyae Oah - Juice Bar MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 17

special

A Closeup With Ippudo's Visiting Japanese Chef; Toshiji Uchida!

By Phone Depar Min Ippudo, international ramen chain from Japan, has set its presence in Yangon last month, marking one of the 80s branches of the restaurant worldwide.

Founded by Mr.Kawahara who has won three times in a row of Ramen Chef Competition on the TV show “TV Champion,” Ippudo guarantees fine selection of ingredients, sophisticated processes, and distinctive taste.

MYANMORE sat down with Mr. Toshiji Uchida, Ippudo’s top visiting Japanese chef who was directly trained by Mr.Kawahara on the secrets of Ippudo and his experience in Myanmar.

“Soft and chock full of texture”, Mr. Uchida described the extinguished features of Ippudo’s noodle.

Dressed smartly in the classic red apron and matte black uniform of an Ippudo chef, with a matching cap to top it all off, the affable Mr. Uchida is the very picture of efficiency. Mr. Uchida has worked with Ippudo all over its Asian outlets, from back home in Japan to Shanghai and Singapore.

Located on Level 5 of downtown Junction City Shopping Centre, Ippudo Yangon branch was placed unerringly in the way that you would think would be found in ramen outlets in Japan itself. The exquisite chairs and the strangely beautiful wall décor of maroon colored soup spoons hanged up in rows, somehow calmed the nerves, especially when you are trying out food that just was staggering in intensity.

When asked about his 3 favorite menu, Mr. Uchida directed to them with a gusto that showed his passion for his profession and Ippudo, where he had been for 3 years. The chef himself chose the Shiromaru Ramen, Ippudo’s specialty that he assured me would 18 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

blow my mind away with its consummate deliciousness. Consisting of pork ramen and the accompanying broth and meat, one soft boiled egg, spring onions, and some seaweed to top it off, the Shiromaru is definitely a dish to fill one’s stomach! When it was finished being assembled, the Shiromaru looked so pretty that it seemed like a crime to even touch it!

For the second; he chose the Ippudo Handmade Gyoza, made lovingly by hand and “made to perfection”; 5 pairs of juicy dumplings that melted in the mouth, with the myriad sauces giving it an even greater lusciousness.

When I asked for the third dish, the reply was “Not a dish, but rather a drink… or even two!”, bringing up the Kirin Draught and the Cucumber Tail to the fore, the Draught a heady, tangy drink and the Cucumber Tail being mixed with a smidge of alcohol along with being gently sour and very refreshing.

The main scale done, we moved onto desserts with Mr. Uchida stating with a rueful grin that he honestly could not choose between the Rooibos Tea Pudding, a delightful confection of healthy tea and sumptuous jelly, and the Almond Jelly Noodles; another novel experience-inducing dessert filled with milk, agar and almond jelly.

Having been in Myanmar for two months, he added that he had tried a wide variety of Myanmar food, the noodle dishes being his favorite although he added, giving a broad smile “There’s sometimes a bit too much oil for my taste.” The noodles, he explained, differed from Japanese ones in that they were far less chewy. The ones here at Ippudo, he pointed out, were Japanese through and through, with all the ingredients made in “the real Japanese style, with Japanese soup and ingredients; for a wholesome Japanese experience” .

special

Astons reveals the newest branch at Junction City

By R.E.Saw Located further down from food Streat at the corner, we find Astons Specialities Yangon’s newest branch in Junction city. It was funny for me because I remembered eating Astons’ burger at a food court in Singapore many years back. It was making news in the local newspapers because usually in food courts and hawker centres in the neighborhood, the western food tend to be an option you choose because you do not want to eat rice or noodle that particular day. However, Astons changed the game by offering quality Western food at affordable prices. It was amusing to be able to say you want your steak medium rare without getting a raised eyebrow by Uncle who is serving you food at a food court.

Founder Aston Soon, with support from family and close friends, left his job as chef in restaurant and started out on his own at a small stall in 2005.

From then on, Astons has moved on to a proper shop for its customers to have affordable western cuisine.

Astons Specialities boosts 30 over branches all over South East Asia now. In Yangon, there is one branch in Myanmar Plaza and now a new one in Junction City on the 5th Floor next to Food Streat.

With its Western cowboy theme and awesome rap music (an interesting but surprisingly good combination), it is a good place to hang out after walking around the mall with your friends or your family. Astons has recently made some changes in their menu to accommodate all of its customers.

For this review, I tried out most of the popular dishes in Astons. Prime Ribeye (19,500 Ks) comes with two side dishes of your choices. For 3,500 Ks more, you can get a bigger portion of 25% with Prime Cut X’tra Cut. This is meant for customers who are not satisfied with the normal portion but

cannot finish 2 of the same dishes. My steak was medium rare and the beef, which comes from Australia, was soft and delicious. The Garden Veggies (2,000 Ks on its own) on the side dish were fresh. Another side dish, Mac and Cheese, which is a favorite among school children who frequent Astons, was rather watery for my taste. This could also be because I only tried them after finishing the steak.

The next dish was “Ieat Super Burger” (15,5000 Ks) which is named after a famous blogger in Singapore. It is made of double regular beef patty combined with the crispy onion floss, 3 Strips of bacon, ASTONS special secret BBQ sauce, crunchy romaine lettuce, tomatoes and cheddar cheese. The portion is big enough for 2 people and I would say the price is reasonable.

However, the crispy onion floss was over fried on the occasion I was eating and distracted me from an overall a pleasant dish.

Salad as side dishes. The unique trait of the stew is that it is cooked with Budweiser beer which makes the dish pleasant and not too heavy. Portion wise, the dish is slightly pricey for its offering.

Drink menu wise, there are cold beverages with their Iced Lemon Tea ( 2,500 Ks) being a popular. You can also get nice selection of coffee and tea. Astons also offers a small wine selection in case your mood strikes.

The Spicy Chicken Spaghetti is (7,200 Ks) comes with soup of the day and it is one of my favorite dishes. One of the reviews on Astons Yangon facebook Page said this place is good western food with Asian taste. I half agreed with the statement. Judging from the menu and the dishes I have tried, Astons did thorough studies of its customers in Yangon. Astons caters western food with both western and Asian taste. If the ribeye is too rich for you, there is Black Pepper Steak (17,000 Ks) for those with fiery taste buds. If their Fiery Chicken (7,200 Ks) is too spicy for you, there are Hickory BBQ Chicken (7,2000 Ks) and Teriyaki Chicken (7,200 Ks) for you. Each category has dishes that cater to people with different tastes.

Overall, Aston is a good hangout place after shopping or movie or if you have team lunch with people of different nationalities. They offer menu to suit almost everyone. While their side dishes still have rooms for improvement, I would come again for dinner on movie nights in Junction City.

Astons Junction City Unit 506-B, Corner of Bogyoke Aung San & Shwe Dagone Pagoda Road,Pabadan Township Tel:09-970349499 HAGL Myanmar Plaza Unit 302-B , Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Tel: 09-960949499

I also tried Beef Stew ( 15,5000 Ks) with Tasty( Buttered) rice and Pasta

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 19

special

Guide to Food Streat: Junction City

By Natty Tangmeesang “Food Streat,” First thought that comes to many people’s mind, including me, when seeing this word is to figure out whether it is misspelled or not.

Khin Maung Win, Assistant Operation Manager of Food Streat explained “The answer is No, it has not been misspelled and yes, it is pronounced the same as the word “Food Street.”

He continued, “The concept comes from “Food” + “Street” = Street food.

We’re bringing well-established street restaurants to a mall. We would like to emphasize the street food culture when people meet and eat. It also combines with international franchises so both sides can learn from each other.”

the card as a payment and are able to claim the refund if they have not used up the topped up amount. A regular customer may also enjoy the benefits of “premium card” by topping at least 5,000 Ks to keep the card for future visit without having to queue up.

First timer at this food court, do not need to worry. MYANMORE has visited and tested every single stall and summarized in this “Guide to Food Streat : Junction City.”

We have divided all the stalls into 3 main categories; Myanmar’s Corner, International Varieties, and Refreshment Area.

Myanmar’s Corner

Opened late April, Food Streat is the latest food court in town, located on the 5th floor of new downtown luxurious mall “Junction City.”

Price range : 1,000 ks - 2,300 ks

Latha Kyay-Oh Kyay Oh is a famous noodle dish of Myanmar. Latha Kyay Oh by Htein Hein Tauk family has been around for almost 30 years. It used to be located near China town, and now they plan to open another shop at Yangon night market. As the name suggests, Kyay Oh (Chicken or Pork) soup or dry is a must-try dish for this restaurant. The restaurant also offers the option of Kyay Oh oil fried. Besides the Kyay Oh, their porridge with century egg and fried dough and dumplings are ones to highlight. One bonus point, No MSG added in all dishes.

Be noted that the portion of dishes is generous.

Price range : 2,500 ks - 5,500 ks (for combo set)

Tint Tint Traditional Desserts For those with sweet tooth, Tint Tint brings a variety of traditional desserts from the street to the food court, guaranteed freshness and cleanliness.

The stars of the shop are Monte Sein Paung, Shwe Kyi San, Nwin Ma Kin and Shwe Yin Aye. Price range: 800 Ks - 2,500 Ks

International Varieties

Buthee Shwe Paw Mya Tin Shwe Paw Mya Tin serves traditional Burmese breakfast dishes and salad.

The shop is famous for its Myanmar

It’s a good opportunity to try a Myanmar village style of cuisine, which is Bamar dishes Taw-Da-Layt style (Rice and other side dishes such as soup, curry, or salad).

Buthee is famous for their Wet Pone Yay Gyi (Pork Belly in Fermented Soy Bean Paste), tea leaves salad, including set tray menu. The menu will be changing every week.

Price range: 3,000 ks - 11,000 ks

999 Shan Noodle 999 is a no stranger to many tourists and foreigners visiting or living in Yangon. The restaurant is widely recognized for the fresh, tasty, and affordable Shan noodle. At Food Streat, 999

20 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

has brought over 40 popular dishes to serve the customers such as the popular Shan noodle soup with chicken, pork or pork ball, or noodle with steamed pork ribs, Shan traditional fried tofu, or spicy hot pot in clay pot, and Shan Yoe Yar fried rice.

Price range : 2,000 ks - 4,500 ks

The food court features 15 multi-cultural shops, ranging from local Myanmar cuisines to International dishes.

Once entered the food court area, the procedures are similar to other typical food court. Customers are required to top up the money in a card at a counter but 1,000 Ks will be deducted as a card deposit. Customers, then, use

traditional dish Mohinga (rice noodle with fish gravy soup) 2,200 ks, Egg noodle salad, or vermicelli with gravy.

Sushi Onii It is a Japanese food stall franchise from Thailand, serving many kinds of Japanese well-known dishes, ranging from sashimi, sushi, don, katsu, ramen, and set menu at affordable prices.

What to order are salmon seed with seaweed salad on top and tokyo don which is a rice bowl topped with spicy salmon,spicy kani, and salmon eggs.

Price range: 800 ks - 10,000 ks

special

CP Five Star Extra

K-Bibi Mbap

Ayam Penyet

Golden Taste

Bibimbap is a Korean hot stone pot rice bowl topped with different styles of meats and assorted vegetables--usually carrot, mushroom, cucumber, egg with bibimbap chilli sauce. There are varieties of bibimbaps for you to choose from. Another Korean signature included is spicy stir fried rice cake (Maeun Hteok-Bokki).

It is the only Halal restaurant in the food court,serving Indonesian traditional style of “Ayam Penyet”--which is a set of fried chicken marinated in coconut milk and seasoning powder.

Beef fans should try their dry beef curry with tofu and vegetable and beef atail soup.

The name may sound Chinese but they serve Indian breakfast dishes.

Biryani with curry, chicken Indian rice with butter, and potato puri are top choices.

Parami Pizza Express

Imperial Garden brings Hong Kong style dim-sum to serve you with best selling ones such as prawn dumpling, siew mai, and praw bean curd, and sesame ball with sweet potato. If you are afraid dim sum will not fill your stomach, there are choices of rice dishes with soya chicken, honey roast pork, and roasted duck.

It’s rare to find Taiwan food in Yangon, but Taiwan snacks brings full-meal dishes straight from a restaurant in Taiwan to Yangon. Their most recommended menu is rice with soy stewed pork knuckles. The restaurant marinated and braised the pork knuckle for 5 hours with oyster sauce originally from Taiwan.

Price range: 2,000 ks - 5,000 ks

Price range: 500 ks -4,000 ks

Refreshment Area Juice Corner

Price range: 3,000 ks-7,700 ks

Taiwan Snacks

Price range: 500 ks - 4,500 ks

Price range: 2,000 ks - 5,000 ks

Price range: 500 ks - 7,000 ks

Imperial Garden

You may see CP kiosks all over the city, but this one is more special than others with new menu such as panned egg, spaghetti smoked sausage, moo ping (Thai style grilled pork). 4 types of fried chicken--grilled,fried,crispy, and korean, black pepper ball, chicken roll from the old menu are included for your quick and easy meal.

Many’s favorite pizza place in Yangon chooses their best selected pizzas items such as spicy texas bbq and hawaiian, Italian roasted chicken wings with BBQ sauce, pasta or spaghetti bolognese. Highlight lies in the dessert with “Nutella Pizza.” If you are in hurry, take away option is also available.

Price range: 2,800 ks - 8,200 ks

From fruit juices, smoothies, soft drinks or ice-cream, you name it, they have it. Don’t know what to order? We suggest “Yangon Delight,” a mixture of strawberry, kiwi, banana, orange, and dragon fruit which is sure to freshen you from a hot and tiring day.

Ice-cream here is Singapore style ice-cream with “green tea” as a recommended flavor. Good news is gelato ice-cream is also on the way.

Price range: 1,000 ks - 2,500 ks

Streat Cafe Streat Cafe presents 4 types of Myanmar authentic tea; pone man (regular tea), pop seint (less sugar, milky taste), kya seint (less sugar, less condensed milk), cho sein(sweet one), plus juices and smoothies. Cake lovers can soon enjoy a selection of modern cake too.

Price range : 1,000 ks -3,000 ks

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 21

cover story

PARIBAWGA:

Furnishing Myanmar

Battling against a growing trend of cheaply made IKEA-style chipboard furniture, Paribawga aims to create high quality, heirloom pieces that promote and maintain the Myanmar heritage of wooden crafts.

By Marie Starr

Photography Myo Min Tun (Smile Studio)

22 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

cover story

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 23

cover story

Photography Myo Min Tun (Smile Studio)

24 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

cover story

In a high-ceilinged, colonial building on Bogalayzay Street in downtown Yangon, Ivan Pun and Marcelo Maier stand in the Paribawga showroom excitedly handling contemporary household decorations of wood and metal like new toys on Christmas mornings of their youth. A glitzy jackfruit decoration sits on a sturdy wooden table left in its natural profile. The line between furniture showroom and sculpture gallery blurs.

‘Paribawga’ is Burmese for ‘furniture’ and the name of the latest venture by Pun + Projects, which offers contemporary furniture and contemporary interior decorations to its clients. The concept was borne out of two creative minds with a will to create high-quality furniture that will last for generations to come. One of those minds is Ivan Pun, son of business tycoon Serge Pun. Ivan’s company, Pun + Projects, is behind many recent contemporary dining ventures in Yangon including Rau Râm and newly acquired 50th Street. In addition to this, Ivan is also passionate about the arts as a fervent art collector with an aptitude for interior design.

The second mind behind Paribawga, Marcelo Maier, is a professional furniture maker and master carpenter from Germany who is not unfamiliar with Myanmar, having spent seven years living in Yangon prior to his return in 2015. His 35 years of experience in furniture design started out when he quit his university graphic design course for an internship with a furniture maker.

He quickly realised he had found his calling. At that very early stage of his career he made a decision that he would live by for the rest of his life.

“I chose to create quality. I chose to create furniture of high quality and good design that would become antiques for the next generation,” Marcelo stated leaning over a polished, block-style wooden table in the Paribawga showroom.

Ivan knew Marcelo since his previous stint living in Yangon. Upon a chance meeting in 2015, Marcelo, engaged by the exciting changes he saw unfold-

ing in the country, expressed to Ivan his interest in returning here. A few brainstorming sessions later and Paribawga was born. Marcelo moved back to Yangon, built up the factory and started training the team of more than 60 people. Quality has been on the forefront of every decision the Paribawga team has made.

“We bought all our machines from Germany. All are second-hand machines, refurbished and overhauled from the 70s and 80s – basically the strongest machines ever built for the furniture business,” said Marcelo.

The pair was aware of and excited by the opportunity to create a new furniture brand that exudes high quality, beautifully made objects right here in Yangon. Casting aside modern notions of furniture design trends and fashions, the pair aims to create furniture pieces which have a sense of permanence and will be admired and held onto through generations.

“I love the idea of furniture because it is one of the categories of products that are not temporary. It is very permanent and can be an heirloom piece,” said Ivan.

Wood being such a big part of the history and culture of crafts of Myanmar is one of the major inspirations behind Paribawga. However, it is not the only material used in the designs at the Paribawga workshop. Coconut shells, gold leaves and copper, among others, are also incorporated into many of their designs.

When it comes to using wood as a raw material in Myanmar, it is a well-known fact that forests and teak forests in particular have suffered badly in the past decades due to illegal logging and forestry mismanagement. Aware of this, the Paribawga team intends to use a wide variety of woods, not only the prized teak wood. The philosophy of creating a piece of furniture that will last a long time, Marcelo claims, is far better for the teak tree population than using the material to create low-quality, inexpensive furniture that is likely to be thrown out after a few years.

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 25

cover story

“This table will last at least 100 years.

In this time the tree will grow back,” Marcelo explained as he referred to the grand dining table we were seated around.

“A lot of times across the different sectors we try a different product with a high quality and consumers say ‘Why is it so expensive?’”

As well as the excitement and intrigue involved in a new business venture like this one, there are also marked risks.

Paribawga aims to sell pieces of the highest quality in modern-day Myanmar and this won’t come cheaply. A question thus looms over us. Is Myanmar ready for a brand like Paribawga?

Despite this, Paribawga aims to appeal as much the local market as visitors.

For visitors, Paribawga aims to be another place where local crafts are showcased as well as being available for sale. Potential customers can see what contemporary Myanmar design has to offer but also get inspiration for possible commission pieces.

“People may not necessarily be ready to place that kind of monetary value on an object. Of course beautiful things are costly to make and this is reflected in the price. That’s always a risk that we keep in mind,” said Ivan.

Paribawga aims to capitalise on some of the comparative advantages of being located in Myanmar where raw materials can be sourced and labour supplied more cheaply than a similar workshop in Europe, for example.

26 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

“You have to consider what goes into this product. For example, this table has 150 working hours gone into it. If you compare it to Germany or somewhere else, the price is not too expensive. In Germany it would cost around €30,000. Here it costs USD 7,000,” calculated Marcelo.

As for the type of customer Paribawga aims to attract, they are hoping for clients who appreciate a sense of art in their everyday environs – someone with a great eye, an appreciation for detail and an eclectic taste.

“Maybe their house won’t be full of Burmese furniture. It won’t be full of wooden furniture. It would be a mix of things and they would come in here and choose something that suits them

and add it to their collection in their own way,” said Ivan.

Some of Paribawga’s first customers were Myanmar citizens who lived abroad and were impressed with the company’s innovation and style. While the pair would like to have a global audience and an international clientele, they believe that the domestic client base is very important too. Thinking into the future, Ivan said, “It is a goal of ours to promote Myanmar furniture as an industry and as a product that we can gradually build for the international audience.”

cover story

Photography Myo Min Tun (Smile Studio)

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 27

music

Mandalay's Music Man

By Susan Bailey

As the owner of three successful music-related businesses, Arkar Win Mya is Mandalay’s leading figure in the industry. Despite keeping a low profile, it is clear that his passion for music is one of the main forces behind the city’s slowly but surely evolving scene. MYANMORE sat down to talk with Arkar at his recently renovated studio.

MANDALAY - When did you develop What about the Myanmar music a passion for music? scene?

I was raised a Christian and so my first Yangon is developing a proper ‘scene’ exposure to music was in the church. I where young, unsigned bands are loved hearing the music and admired getting a chance to play. Yangon muthe elders who played guitar and piasicians are very motivated and always no, including my He taught me successful seeking new opportunities to improve MANDALAY - Asfather. the owner of three music-related businesses, Arkar how Mya to play my first chords andfigure ever in theand reachDespite new audiences.

ManWin is Mandalay’s leading industry. keeping aBut lowinprosince music been a big of is one dalay, themain bands seembehind to be satisfied file, it then is clear thathas his passion forpart music of the forces the city’s my life.but surely evolving scene. MYANMORE withsat themselves.

I wish would slowly down to talk withthey Arkar at histry to aim higher and use social media to recently renovated studio.

Tell us about your start in the music promote their music as there is a lot of business. talent up here.

My first project was JM Guitar Shop, which I opened in 2007. At that time You recently renovated your Mandalay we had two other guitar shops in recording space, LA Studio. Do you hope this will help the city’s music Mandalay but with limited selection. scene?

JM’s sells everything from cheaper When I opened LA Studio in 2012, it Chinese-made acoustic guitars to was just a hobby. It was a place for high-end electric guitars imported friends and musicians to hang out, jam from Singapore and Japan. We are still popular, especially with university and record tracks but the equipment students who are just learning the was not professional. There are other basics of guitar. recording studios in Mandalay but only a few offer high-quality producWhat artists do you listen to the most? tion equipment at an affordable price, so I decided to renovate LA to fit this I love Myanmar rockers like Ah Nge, market. Too often the production Zaw Win Htut and Lay Phyu. Wai La’s cost is too high and prevents new latest EP is also fabulous – great music artists from recording. So I wanted to and amazing lyrics. make it possible for aspiring musicians to record high-quality tracks without having to spend a lot of money. #7 May 2017 28 / MYANMORE magazine #6 Apr 2017

support them. The older students are glad to finally have the opportunity to develop their lifelong passions.

What are your future plans?

We want to focus on expanding Academy of Rock. We are offering free one-hour classes to anyone who is interested. I hope this will bring in more students and help them develop their passion for music. I love that we can provide this opportunity to the people of Mandalay.

After a successful launch in Yangon, you partnered up with Academy of Rock to open a Mandalay branch earlier this year. How is the school going?

I am so proud of Academy of Rock.

Even though we are only in the soft-opening phase we have a strong group of music students that are talented. The slogan of AOR is ‘”Never too early, never too late”. We have students as young as seven years old and as old as 57. The young students are quick learners and their parents

For more information about the businesses listed in this article: JM Guitar Shop Ground Floor, Great Wall Shopping Centre (Between 77th & 78th Streets, 32 & 33rd Streets) www.facebook.com/JmsGuitarStore/ Academy of Rock In the Nadi Myanmar Hotel compound (62nd Street between 36th & 37th Streets) www.facebook.com/academyofrockmandalay LA Studio In the Nadi Myanmar Hotel compound (62nd Street between 36th & 37th Streets) www.facebook.com/pages/La-Recording-Studio/

art

Big Star: Mandalay's First Female-run Tattoo Artist

By Susan Bailey

MANDALAY - In 1907, Maud Wagner grabbed her husband’s tattoo machine, drew her first ink and earned the title ‘America’s first female tattoo artist’. More than a century later, half way around the world, a young girl from Mandalay picked up her first tattoo gun and dreamed of having her own studio. In 2016 that dream came true with the opening of Big Star, Mandalay’s first female-run tattoo shop.

“I am a trained pharmacist, but since I was a kid I have been interested in painting and drawing,” said Kyal Sin Su, the founder of Big Star. After getting her first tattoo, she was hooked but never thought she could make a career out of it. “The guys [male tattoo artists] did not want to help. They don’t want to have competition from women,” she commented.

However, Kyal Sin was determined.

Thanks to the Internet, and with the encouragement of her friends, Kyal Sin was able to learn the basics online and invested in her first tattoo gun.

Her friends, mostly girls who were too shy to go to male artists, let her practice on them.

“I loved it. I felt really proud of the art I was creating and I had confidence in myself as a tattoo artist,” she said.

Still, opening her own shop seemed almost impossible. In a field dominated by men, she was alone.

everything from detailed black-andwhite portraits to whimsical, colorful cartoons. And thanks to her high quality work, Big Star is starting to attract male customers, although for the time being, the majority of her clients are female.

“I had wanted a tattoo for a long time but felt embarrassed to go to a male artist because they might judge me. With Kyal Sin, I feel comfortable because I know she takes her work seriously and is professional,” said one of her female clients.

Kyal Sin is soft spoken and does not boast about her accomplishments nor does see herself as a trailblazer. To her, the work is rewarding and she is happy to have satisfied customers. But she does hope that other women in Myanmar will also have the courage to become tattoo artists.

“I want to help train and teach other female artists and share my experience with them,” she said.

Without a doubt, Big Star will continue to shine bright in the Mandalay tattoo scene.

Big Star 75th Street between 37th and 38th Streets Phone: 09 40256 6775 https://www.facebook.com/bigstarmakeyrdream

Thanks to word of mouth, she was able to launch Big Star in April last year and has not looked back. She has done

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 29

art

In Love with Myanmar: A Conversation with Chartchai Ketnust That Thursday afternoon we met downtown, award-winning Thai filmmaker Chartchai Ketnust had just arrived from Mandalay, where he was shooting his new documentary, set to be aired on Thai PBS in May 2017. It was a coincidence, it seems, that his feature movie that premiered last November also involved a similar element.

Dubbed “From Bangkok to Mandalay”, the Thai-Myanmar coproduction was a huge success in Myanmar, reaping USD 171,000 in its first three days of screening in Yangon. In another record, two Myanmar actors in the movie were nominated for Best Actor (Sai Sai Kham Leng) and Best Supporting Actor (Nay Toe) for this year’s Subhanahongsa Awards – Thai equivalent of the Academy Awards. Ketnust himself, a veteran post-production producer, director and writer in Thai independent film industry, is being nominated for Best Screenplay. Sondang Grace Sirait chatted with Ketnust – more popularly known as Nat – on life, work and his obsession with Myanmar.

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Congratulations on receiving multiple nominations for “From Bangkok to Mandalay” at this year’s Subhanahongsa Awards. How did that make you feel?

Actually we’ve received awards from magazines in Thailand such as Bioscope and Starpics. We did our best despite all the limitations, this being a co-production that involves two languages and cultures. I’d say it’s not an excellent movie, but good enough to deserve recognition.

Good, but not excellent?

Well, it could be done better. We learned many lessons during the making, so for sure, we’ll do a better job next time.

Why did you choose Myanmar as the setting of your first feature movie?

I’ve always wanted to do a road trip movie. I own a production company in Thailand and had thought of making a low budget movie there. But a friend of mine suggested me to try Myanmar, because it has beautiful locations. It got me thinking, most Thai people don’t know what Myanmar is all about, even though we’re so close to each other. So I traveled here and found myself very fascinated. I got very good energy from the places I visited and

the people I met. I then started looking for co-investors from Myanmar.

What inspired you to write the story?

It was inspired by my own family history. My parents married each other not out of love, but because they were arranged, if not forced to, by my grandmother, who had also been subject to the same situation in her time. My mother had already had a boyfriend before she married my father. One day, when I was nine, two young girls came to my house and asked to meet their father, who turned out to be my father. So apparently my father had already been married when he married my mother. Anyway, from that moment on, my mother took them in and raised them along with us, her own children. There was no drama, drug abuse or anything like that. My grandmother had since passed away and I thought this was a good time to tell the story.

Do you believe in happy endings?

My wife does. I love her because she believes in happy endings. Whenever she reads novels, she’ll go to the end of the book first. She’ll only read it if it has happy ending. I’m not like that. I was happy when a film critic said this movie was really romantic because it spoke of love without any touching or

art “Nat genuinely supported and patiently guided us throughout the production. I’m so glad I decided to be a part of the movie. It gave me a chance to improve my skills and provided me with new exposure. Nat is very, very passionate about his work. I want to encourage everyone to watch the movie. The whole crew put so much effort into it.

This isn’t your typical drama. It’s meaningful but also lighthearted in a way. The sound, visual and all the other effects are perfect.”

— Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi Actress, From Bangkok to Mandalay

kissing. I want happy endings, but in my case, even though my grandparents didn’t love each other, my parents didn’t love each other, they ended up okay.

You sound very pragmatic.

It’s empowering. When you break up with someone you love, you have to go on with your life. We can still be friends with our exes. That’s the true value of love.

What was it like working with Myanmar superstars?

I was really impressed in many ways.

Nay Toe is very open-minded. He’s open to suggestions and always willing to exchanges ideas. I once made him do another take even when it was already perfect, and he didn’t mind.

Kit Kit (Wutt Hmone Shwe Yi) is very charming, always happy on set. Sai Sai is very straightforward and a perfectionist. I found similarities between his real personality and the character’s, both are easygoing and quick to make new friends. There was this one scene toward the end of the movie that I thought wasn’t right even after five takes. I told Sai Sai, “Perhaps the problem is you’re too handsome.” Immediately he said, “Oh, I get it.” We did another take and it came out perfect.

He’d realized that he had to shake off his stage persona. He became very natural and worked very hard. I think that’s why Sai Sai got nominated.

What was the most challenging part about filming in Myanmar?

It was very hard to get permit to film.

I’ll give you an example. We wanted to shoot at the Post Office on Strand Road. We just had to, because the letter was center of the story and the Post Office had always been in the script since the first draft. One month before we shot, the Myanmar producer said we weren’t allowed to do it. I told him, “I’ve come all the way from Thailand and invested so much.

If there was one thing you should focus on, this would be it. If it doesn’t happen, either I kill myself or I kill you.” (laughs) What makes you come back again and again to Myanmar?

Right now I’m doing a documentary about Ayutthaya art and traces of Thai ancestry in Myanmar. We’re searching for paintings, architecture and people with Thai blood. Overall, I think Myanmar has very good energy. It’s very unexpected. People have high respect in terms of Buddhism. The energy is still in the air and it gives me inspiration.

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 31

travel

(The Remote Valleys) South of Mount Victoria

By Jochen Meissner

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travel “I have everything I need here in this village, why I have to go anywhere else,”

A pioneer Trekking adventure in southern Chin state, November 2016 6 days, 5 nights 125 kilometer trekking 6,000 altitude meters

Pan Taun, which translates to “flower mountain”, located beautifully on a ridge, where, much to our surprise, we even found a kindergarten set up by a local NGO.

This trek is one of my personal favourites in southern Chin state, as it combines beautiful landscapes and intact nature, remote villages which are never visited by any foreigner and some real adventure and athletic challenge, as 120 kilometers of trekking in 5 days are not for everyone – but definitely very much worth it for the ones who dare to pick up the challenge.

After the first river crossings and lunch on the way, we reached the abandoned village of Aut Yin, a spooky sight. It was half destroyed by heavy floods in the last rainy season, so the villagers decided to move further up the mountain, but most of the bamboo houses were still there. Only a lonely Mithone, a Chin buffalo, could be seen roaming around on what once was the village road. It took us another two hours before we reached the big settlement of Shin Paung at sunset, where we finally put up our camp for the night at a local house.

Starting from Bagan by private 4WD car, it took us around 6 hours to reach the small town of Laung She, in the far west of Magway division, where we met our guide Kee and the porters, who had came all the way down from Mindat. They have already stocked up on food and water for the upcoming week and managed to tie everything to the back of an old Kenbo motorbike.

This time we had Evelyn and Simon with us, two alpinists from Switzerland, who are looking for a real adventure far off any beaten trail.

After lunch at a local restaurant, it was time for the last stretch, into the southern Chin Hills, to the small market town of Kyin Dway, on the banks of the Moon River. Villagers from all southern Kanpetlet and Paletwa divisions come here to stock up on supplies and warm clothes, so there are surprisingly many shops in this otherwise very sleepy and not very clean settlement. The local immigration shows only a mild interest in our arrival. In the end the Okkathar even joined us for a beer, before we called it a day, in expectation of some long and strenuous days ahead of us.

The next morning we were up by 6 AM and took a stroll through the village before heading out for the trek.

Crossing a rickety suspension bridge, the first bigger village we reached was

Early the next morning we continued our trek further north, hiking through beautiful mountain forests. More than once we could hear groups of Hoolock Gibbons shouting in the trees above us. The gibbon skulls, next to the deer and bear skulls, which decorate hunter’s houses in some of the villages, give evidence, that they’re really around here in this area. Besides that, not too much wildlife crossed our way, although there was no shortage on eagles and other big birds of prey, which we could see gliding above our heads most of the days.

Visiting remote villages, mostly inhabited by Daai and Yindu people, full of old ladies with massive bamboo ear plugs, and facial tattoos, we made our way across the remote valleys south of the mighty Mount Victoria, which only came into sight on the afternoon of Day 4. Only our Garmin GPS and the knowledge of our guides led us the way, telling us where to find the safest places to cross the rivers. Only sometimes, when there was a rickety bamboo bridge in place, would we we have to wade or even swim across the wild mountain streams.

01

02

Chin State

Yangon

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 33

travel 01 Two old ladies from the Daai tribe have full facial tattoo and big bamboo earplugs.

02 Two young women from the Moon tribe separate millet grain from the chaff.

03 Stunning sunset view with Rhododendron trees in the front 04 Tourists help the villagers with community work which is leveling a parcel of land to build a new house.

05 The whole village assembles to wave a good-bye when we are leaving. It was the first time ever that foreigners had visited their village.

Two nights before the end of the trek, we were lucky to stay at the house of one of our porters’ grandmothers, a lovely old Daai lady in her eighties with face completely covered in blue dots, the most common tattoo pattern to be seen in the southern wilderness.

Sitting together at night in the kitchen around the fireplace, her daughter served us some freshly brewed millet beer, while the old lady patiently answered all our questions. She seemed very pleased that foreigners were showing genuine interest in her life story. Other than the ladies in the surrounding villages on the tourist trail north of Mount Victoria, she never gets to see any foreigner here.

We learned that she had never in her life even visited Kanpetlet, the district capital – two days marching to the

west – and only once in her life had she been to a village in the neighboring valley, to attend a wedding.

“I have everything I need here in this village, why I have to go anywhere else,” she told us.

In silence we nodded and smiled at her. She must probably think we’re completely crazy, travelling thousands of kilometers from the other side of the world, to come and hike around here in the mountains. But she smiled anyway, meanwhile half of the village has gathered in her kitchen, more millet beer was being served and as our guide grabbed an old guitar, for sure our singing and laughing could be heard well into the next valley.

With a decent headache we unrolled from our sleeping bags the next morn-

03

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travel ing, enjoying the amazing views to the majestic Mount Victoria whilst sipping our coffee mix and enjoying fried eggs and bananas for breakfast. After a twohour descent to the river, a challenging crossing was waiting as local villagers dragged us through the strong currents with the help of bamboo poles.

It was 9 AM, and a quick look on the GPS revealed that we had gone to an altitude of only 800 meters – the village where we were supposed to sleep tonight was at 2,300 meters in altitude, already on the southern ridges of Mount Victoria itself.

Fortunately, most of the trail leads through a dense mountain forest, and much to our joy and surprise, when we arrived at the last night’s resting place, our guide’s brother – who came over from Mindat – was already waiting for us with cold beers and deep fried buffalo meat. What a feast!

At 2,300 meters in altitude it gets really cold during the nights in wintertime, but having brought good sleeping bags and our host family providing a few extra blankets, it was not a big problem. Exhausted from spending four full days of trekking, 110 kilometer and over 5,000 meters in altitude behind us, we fell fast asleep. The final 15 kilometers and 800 meters in altitude were waiting for us tomorrow.

04

The last day we started rather late, around 8:30 AM, as it was freezing cold in the morning and there was only a half-day’s hike left. Ascending through pristine mountain jungle and Rhododendron forest, we reached the peak of Mount Victoria at noon. After taking some pictures and a well-deserved rest on the summit to enjoy the beautiful view, it was at last, a 90-minute hike to the so-called “base camp” on the Kanpetlet – Mindat road, where our driver collected us to return to Bagan.

This trek is surely not for everyone, but definitely for real adventurers looking for a serious challenge in a beautiful, pristine and untouched part of southern Chin state. Exclusively offered by Uncharted Horizons Myanmar, please contact them for more information about this trek and other unique itineraries around southern Chin state.

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MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 35

profile

Be Cool

By Susan Bailey

“My family has been making traditional gem paintings for generations. My goal is to carry on the tradition of Mandalay crafts and culture by making it more accessible to a younger market,”

Mandalay may be known throughout the world for its arts and crafts. But giant marble statues and glitzy tapestries are not every one’s cup of tea.

In Mandalay, shopping for souvenirs for friends and loved ones can be a struggle.

Enter Be Cool, a small business set up by the dynamic Wai Wai Nyein. By putting a modern twist on traditional crafts, Be Cool fills a gap in Mandalay’s shopping options. Although only recently opened, since August 2016, Be Cool has quickly won over fans, largely thanks to Wai Wai’s innate talent for design.

“My family has been making traditional gem paintings for generations. My goal is to carry on the tradition of Mandalay crafts and culture by making it more accessible to a younger market,” says Wai Wai Nyein.

With a keen business sense, Wai Wai Nyein started Be Cool as an online shop. She would take orders through Facebook and Viber, then arrange collection locations or deliver to individual customers.

“Using social media was the perfect way for us to start. We were able to grow our client base quickly, not only through Mandalay’s outskirts but also to other parts of Myanmar, with minimum investment,” she said.

The shop also set up stalls at music concerts and other events around Mandalay, but online shoppers continued to be the main income stream.

The decision to open a physical shop was based on two needs: the need for bigger space to centralise distribution and the fact that many shoppers were keen to browse the items in person before purchasing.

As we sat chatting, Wai Wai Nyein was constantly checking her phone. Her online channels have continued to bring in a large chunk of the business, especially in the lead up to holidays.

She says being responsive is the key.

“Customers do not want to wait. They see an item they like on our page and they want to know immediately if it is available. Sometimes, around Christmas and before Thingyan, we are up 24 hours a day answering queries and packaging and preparing advance

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orders. But it is worth it. I love hearing the positive feedback from our customers,” she said.

The most popular items are boxes painted with gemstones, made using the techniques of traditional Myanmar gem paintings and applying more modern patterns to create decorative items. At Valentine’s Day, its mini marionettes – one male and one female, in hand-woven palm boxes – were a big hit. Pyit Taing Htaung, the egg-shaped, rosy-cheeked traditional toys also sold out quickly thanks to their cute packaging.

Be Cool has certainly made a name for itself with the younger generation and Wai Wai Nyein can also name many celebrities from Myanmar and abroad as happy customers.

“Surprisingly we are also getting older adults who are happy to see items that they remember from childhood being sold again. The adults like to purchase our jewellery items- such as hair clips and bracelets- made with amber and pearl where as our younger customers opt for modern colours like pinks and blues,” she said.

And while Be Cool is not yet a household name, it has attracted many repeat clients.

“I buy many presents for friends and items for myself from Be Cool. The quality is high, the price is fair and their designs are modern. The service is also great- you can tell the staff are really passionate about the items they sell and want their customers to be happy,” said Nang Thet, a customer.

Wai Wai Nyein says it is this type of feedback that really motivates her and her team. And hopefully word of mouth will continue to support small, independent businesses such as this and, in turn, preserve a part of Mandalay’s handicraft traditions.

Be Cool 78th Street between 35th and 36th Streets

profile

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 37

profile

In the crowded market of Myanmar airlines, one carrier has got its niche successfully carved out as the country’s premium airline. Behind its wheels is Jeremy Kingston, the man in charge of overall operations of FMI Air. Hailing from the United Kingdom, Kingston has worked in Kazakhstan, Fiji and Vanuatu before landing in Myanmar. The COO of FMI Air talks to Sondang Grace Sirait about his childhood in Manchester – which included a stint as a ball boy for Manchester United Football Club and training in classical music – and his work goals.

In this relatively small market of two to three million domestic passengers with fierce competition, what’s your strategy to keep ahead of the game?

We don’t hide behind the fact that we’re a premium airline. We offer service that we believe is beyond anything that other fellow aviators do. They’re not competitors. There’s a market for all to share. How big a bite is the pie we have? It’s how you make yourself different, how you make yourself attractive. We’re looking for people who want the level of service we want to give, the top 10-15 percent of the market, like we did with Nay Pyi Taw with the business travelers, but we also realise we want to support the local market. The chairman is very keen on supporting local economy in trying to progress. We make sure we’re putting ourselves in a place where others can follow, but we’re always ahead. We’re always reinventing ourselves.

How do you see your role as COO? The COO’s role is to personally take responsibility. I have a great team of both locals and expatriate managers.

We strive each day to try and develop our staff and we all have a remit. I have a remit, all my expat directors have a remit, and that’s to find our replacement. Our chairman eventually wants 38 / MYANMORE magazine #6 #7 May Apr 2017 2017

Q&A JEREMY KINGSTON COO, FMI AIR

By Sondang Grace Sirait

When I used to live in the UK, I was a fanatic motorcyclist. The reason for that was once you got your helmet on, you can’t answer the phone, you can’t speak to anyone. I used to spend hours just riding around the UK. Here you’re not allowed to. I like socialising and going out for a nice meal. You can watch the English football on Saturdays, which is great. I drive in Yangon. I don’t have a driver. I find it therapeutic, because you have to concentrate so hard, you can’t think of anything much.

How did you get started in the aviation industry?

to have local managers, which is what we’re here for. How long it takes, it’s up to us and up to the situation we’re in.

The level of experience which we have to manage toward that transition is very, very high. We have a corporate director who’s been in aviation for 35 years, who was head of customer service for Emirates for 20 years. Our safety director is a pilot. He’s been flying for 35 years, I think, and he’s still flying now. And he was the head of the UK Safety Board. I personally picked these individuals to make sure they fit with what we’re trying to do.

We now have four local engineers whom we’ve trained from nothing up to be able to sign an aircraft off on the CRJs. And there’s never been a CRJ in Myanmar. We’re developing the local talent to be able to do that. Our airports director is a local Myanmar lady. Our commercial director is local.

Our airworthiness and compliance director is a local lady. The new head of quality is going to be a local gentleman.

So we do recognise that talent and we try to promote and sustain that.

How would you describe your leadership style?

Very personal. When I’m at work, I’m extremely serious. It doesn’t come across as that sometimes, but I live and breathe the job. And that is my job, seven days a week. That doesn’t matter. Sometimes you can say it overwhelms me, but all the staff know that they can call me, message me or email me or come to my house if they have an issue.

How do you achieve worklife balance?

For me, everyone has to have a break.

In this industry, work doesn’t finish at half past five on a Friday. The airline flies seven days a week. You have to have the right resource to give you a respite and fortunately I have some managers, and I can say I’m unavailable this weekend, but you do have time to turn off. I’ve got a very supportive partner who understands my role and I try not to take work home and we spend quality time together when we can.

What do you do in your spare time?

I trained as an opera singer. That was my vocation. My father was a vicar when he was alive. I sang in the choir and then I went to study music. As all musicians do, they spend their free time at the bar. I used to work in a bar.

There were three gentlemen that used to come in, they were accountants. My father had a living in the northwest but then moved to the southwest of England. These guys told him, "This company we work for is moving everything down to Devon. There'll be jobs down there.” It was a very small airline. I went for an interview there and started working there. I used to count spare parts up on a big old calculator. That's how I got into aviation. I was getting married and there was a job coming up in operations, which was more money, so I applied and never looked back. I learned everything those days. I did all the aviation courses just by talking to people and reading a lot. That was how I progressed really.

What trend do you see happening in the domestic aviation industry?

I think the challenge for Myanmar aviation in the next four or five years is to be here in four or five years. There's so much competition, the growth is quite slow. I think there are opportunities which will help us to continue to grow, but we have to be very smart, very dynamic and flexible. We'll never compromise our safety. FMI has got a great future, I believe. There are going to be challenges, for sure, but I think the local domestic market is something that will have to contract in order to survive.

gastronomy

The Garden Café: Mingun's Riverside Oasis

By Susan Bailey

a mouthful of fresh flavours. We were so overwhelmed with the sandwich that we almost neglected the side of potato salad, which was delicious and surprisingly light.

The presentation of the food was in line with the café’s vibe – visually appealing without overly crowding the plate with garnishes. All of the dishes are served on square, black ceramic plates, allowing the food to pop out against the dark background. Drinking water is served for free from locally produced, artistic vases.

Final Thoughts

MANDALAY - Despite being one of the Mandalay region’s most popular tourist sites, until recently Mingun has had a serious shortage of dining options. Most visitors would return to the city for lunch or continue to Sagaing where a handful of local shops offer cold curries. Thus, it is no surprise that The Garden Café is generating quite a buzz in its first months of operation.

Opened in October 2016, the restaurant is the brainchild of a Yangon tour guide, a Mingun resident and an expat from the hospitality industry, who spent more than a year planning and preparing. Their efforts surely have paid off – The Garden Café offers excellent Western and local cuisine at an enviable location on the banks of the Irrawaddy River.

Atmosphere The restaurant is tucked away in a small laneway across from the Mingun Bell. The tables are spread out in a large, shady garden just steps away

from the banks of the Irrawaddy River.

With such a spectacular background, there is not much need for decoration.

But the massive Pathein-style umbrellas certainly add a nice splash of colour, with the bamboo kitchen and bar complementing the natural surroundings. The atmosphere, including the friendly service staff, is welcoming and relaxing. There is no pretention about this place – just good food and an amazing setting.

The Food The menu, thankfully, features more than just curries. Breaking away from the trend of the ‘tourist’ restaurants found in Mandalay, The Garden Café offers a selection of salads and starters as well as sandwiches on homemade bread and barbeque. There is a set menu also on offer for those with a bigger appetite, with a full selection of fresh juices, beer and espresso-based coffees to compliment the meal.

We started with the vegetable tempura (2,500 MMK for 2 persons), which

may have been the most picturesque tempura I have ever seen. Rather than unidentifiable blogs of batter, the lightly fried vegetables were artfully displayed on a platter. The vegetables were fresh and perfectly golden brown, with the mini eggplants being the star of the plate. The accompanying tamarind sauce featured a nice balance of sweet, sour and spicy.

For mains, we chose the pork barbeque (2,000 MMK/stick with rice) and the Merguez Sandwich (8,000 MMK including a side dish). The barbeque was a far cry from your normal beer station skewers. Each stick featured three massive chunks of tender pork spaced with pieces of grilled pineapple and served on a bed of rice. Given the size of the meat chunks, two skewers are certainly enough for a full meal.

The sandwich, I must admit, was the best I have had in Mandalay, and perhaps even in Myanmar. The homemade ciabatta bread was stuffed with a slightly-spicy sausage, Dijon mustard, crispy lettuce and tomato, resulting in

The Garden Café ticks all the boxes: great food, good service, reasonable prices. Add to that its spectacular location and it’s easy to see why the café is winning rave reviews from tourists and expats.

Due to its location, The Garden Café is not a place just to “pop in”. But for those wishing to visit Mingun, it is certainly worth planning to have lunch there before or after sightseeing. For expats and Mandalay residents, this provides a new option for a half day out of the city: hire a private wooden boat, head out at midday and enjoy a late lunch on the river banks after the tourists have left. Linger over a coffee or glass of wine then board the boat in time for sunset on the Irrawaddy.

Note: At present, the restaurant only plans to operate from September to April.

A covered dining area may be constructed during the rainy months.

Details: Garden Café Open : 10 am – 5 pm daily In front of the Mingun Bell, Mingun, Mandalay. Phone: 09 7730 77933

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 39

gastronomy

Bagan by Night

By Susan Bailey

Bagan is hardly known as a party destination. But after a day of temple touring, fighting off hordes of package tours and inhaling way too much dust, a cold beer is in order. Here are our picks for the best Bagan nightlife.

NYAUNG U Hti Bar – Creative cocktails, excellent European and Asian food and great music, Hti hits all the right spots. Also, it is one of the only bars in Bagan with shisha and has lounge-style seating made from palates. If you are looking to get away from the ‘backpacker’ street, head right to Hti for an enjoyable evening.

Shwe Yar Su – Bagan’s first beer station, Shwe Yar Su is busy every night with locals and a few tourists. The outside courtyard is an ideal oasis on balmy summer nights with delicious barbeque on offer (the ‘chicken ass’ is a popular local favorite). As with most beer stations, the toilets are a bit gritty

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gastronomy

but after your sixth cup of Myanmar draft, you will hardly care.

OLD BAGAN

Bagan Zay – After passing through the deceptively boring entrance, the shabby chic interior of Bagan Zay is a pleasant surprise. Grab a seat under their ‘chandelier’ of empty liquor bottles, order one of their delicious western-inspired tapas items and enjoy cocktails such as a Mandalay Mojito or Negroni. Daily happy hour boasts 2-for-1 cocktails from 4 to 6 PM.

Erawati Raft – If the idea of a regular bar sounds too boring, head to Erawati, a boat that has been converted into a restaurant and bar. Watch the sunset from the ship’s deck and quenching your thirst with a signature cocktail while the colors change over the Irrawaddy River. Yes, it’s more expensive than most places but with the unbeatable views, it’s well worth paying 3,000 MMK for a beer.

Cheriland – Once a humble oneroom restaurant, Cheriland underwent a huge renovation in early 2017 and evolved into what could be called a ‘real’ beer garden. Cold draft beers and delicious barbeque are on offer from midday until late at night.

Thiripyitsaya Sanctuary Resort – The cocktails come in shocking colors and the service is slow, but there is perhaps no better place for a sunset beer than poolside at Thiripyitsaya.

Pay USD 15 to use the pool or grab the best seat in the garden.

NEW BAGAN

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Ostello Bello Mingalabar – Ostello Bello is, by far, Bagan’s most popular hostel so it’s no surprise that its ‘Mingalabar’ is New Bagan’s most popular watering hole. The outdoor bar offers the usual drinks and cocktails, as well as bar snacks. But you come here for the people, not the booze. The international crowd usually consists of a range of ages and backgrounds, making for interesting conversations and an always-changing atmosphere.

Dhamayangyi Temple – You’ve seen it during the day, now go see it at night.

The locals will tell you not to, because they believe it’s haunted. Story has it that King Narathu assassinated his own father to build this temple. The murders though, were not to stop there. If a needle could be pushed between the bricks, it was believed that he would execute the masons. And there are a lot of bricks, so go figure.

So, grab an e-bike and head there after dark. Switch off your phones and wander through at night for a bit of ghost-hunting.

Mingalarbar Food Corner – Mingalarbar is part restaurant, part barbeque, part beer station. Although there is no happy hour, the draft beer is only 750 kyats and the barbeque is cheap and good. Other menu items are a tad more pricey but delicious. Start with a Burmese salad then move on to one of their delicious curries or fill up with barbeque. It’s all good.

Harmony 2 – This large garden is surprisingly easy to miss. With only a small sign marking its entrance and only a few simple lights, the long-running Harmony 2 is a local favorite. There is no draft beer and a basic menu of local dishes, but it’s perenially busy with New Bagan residents who gather to sip beer in the garden.

Sunset boat cruise – If you are templed-out, the Irrawaddy beckons.

It’s easy to hire a boat from the Bu Paya or Nyaung U jetty for a sunset cruise. Bring your own beers or ask Bagan Zay (mentioned above) to organize a sandbank cocktail party for an unforgettable night on Myanmar’s mighty river.

KTV in Pakokku – Bagan lacks one essential part of Myanmar nightlife: karaoke! If you are really missing late night crooning, drive up to Pakokku, a university town 30-45 minute-drive northwest. There are several KTVs, usually filled with local students, to satisfy your karaoke needs.

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gastronomy

The Japanese Bento Box

By Marcus Sigurdsson

One of the highlights of any trip to Japan is the food. The range and quality are simply amazing. Usually it is sushi or the beef that gets all the attention, but no visitor should miss out on a traditional Japanese meal set called bento.

A ubiquitous part of life for most Japanese, the bento box makes sure that everyone – from schoolchildren to travellers on the Japanese bullet train Shinkansen – always has access to a good, wholesome meal.

The name bento comes from the Chinese word Bian Dang, which means convenience. The bento box is basically a one-portion meal that contains fish or meat, vegetables, pickles and rice.

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Japanese mothers are known to spend a significant amount of time making bento boxes for school lunch, often dressing the food as comic book characters – hence the terms “Kyraben” or “Oekakiben”, where the food is made to look like people, flowers or other things.

For those not fortunate enough to get a homemade bento, there’s no need to worry. The takeout meal can be purchased almost everywhere.

When you buy your first bento box, you’ll find the wide variety of options striking and it will perhaps leave you astounded just how serious people take their bento. A restaurant with good bento will have people lining up, all wanting to get their favourite

packaged meal.

Another option is of course the trusted Japanese convenience stores, such as Lawson or Family Mart, which actually offer good quality food and can be a lifesaver on late evenings.

But the real mecca for bento is the major train stations in Japan. Each station usually has a few shops selling a variety of “Ekiben” (bento for train travellers).

The bento area at Tokyo stations is a virtual maze of shops and hungry travellers. With hundreds of varieties, there is something for everyone.

My favourite “Ekiben” comes from Kobe. It’s a sliced beef bento with a built-in heating system that allows you to have piping hot Kobe beef and rice

while watching the beautiful Japanese countryside through your train window.

For non-Japanese travellers, bento is a lifesaver. Thanks to its transparent lid, you can see the content and swiftly dodge any language issue. A safe bet for most non-vegetarians are sake (grilled salmon) bento or gyudon (sliced beef) bento.

horoscope

HOROSCOPE San Zar Ni Bo, a former political prisoner-turned-fortuneteller, is a highly respected name in Myanmar. He’s known for his palm reading technique, birthdate and naming. His well-known prediction, before the November 2015 elections, was that against all odds, Aung San Suu Kyi would assume a leading position in the government. Read on to find out what he says is in store for the month of April.

Sunday

Tuesday

Rahu

Friday

Stagnant matters will resume.

Expense will be heavy. Fruitful results of efforts made will be seen.

This is the period you will be completing with yourself. Good name will be made from systematic work. Matters thought to go well will do so only after going slow.

Aims can be achieved. Mental fatigue concerning money matters is foreseen. Work without payment will have to be done. New course important for life can be created.

Family health will be ill-starred.

Matters concerning travel cannot be as successful as desired. Unfinished matters will terminate.

Loans will be overdue. Fatigue of mind and body is foreseen. There will be exceptionally successive improvements for businessman.

Distinct changes will take place.

There will be improvement in life.

In the realizations of aims, in lieu of another's aid, personal efficiency should be favored. That practice will be different from the planned will be observed. Ideas coming up this period are to be used practically to result improvements. In spite of wasted money, mental fatigue and bodily tiredness, your efficiency will be thoroughly recognized.

Emotional upsets are foreseen.

Speech will run well. Misspoken words cannot be allowed. Much as matters are done neglecting own benefits and with genuine good will, stress and emotional upsets will have to be experienced. Exceptional care must be had in behavior and in outings. Matters should be done replying on given situations rather than on plans. Work not given priority to money will turn out to be advantageous. Long term investments should not be made, returns will be overdue. Great care must be taken in diving vehicles

Exceptional change and improvement will be made. Loss of personal belongings will occur. You will be pick-pocketed while travelling.

Ill health to an elderly female is foreseen. Frequent on the move is foreseen. Contact will far off lands will be made. Other races will be advantageous. Talks on housing and vehicle matters will be successful. Minor accident to right leg will occur while outing. A friend will come and borrow money. Refuse loss is foreseen. Verbal confrontations will occur. Dangers are in the environment. Rivalries are in the surrounding. Expenses will be heavy.

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Saturday

There will be fatigue mentally as well as bodily. Desired matters will be hard to put into practice.

There will be successive interminglement and upsets in family and social welfares. Men of words and ill of deeds in money matters will be encountered. There will be emotional upset due to another.

Dishonest people will be encountered. There will be misfortune in the family. Only 60% of aim will go well. Good period for students.

Success is expected in competitive work. In spite of difficulties and obstacles, desires should be systematically worked out and furthered.

Emotional upsets, obstacles and problems arising are not because of your own personal cases, but due to your over good will, extremely kind heart and spoiling nature towards others. Family and social welfares are to be led and resolved. Good results, such as successful aims and resolutions, are foreseen, direct contact with far-off lands will result beneficially, and slight ill health of elderly female family member is foreseen. Occasional loss of personal belongings may occur. Planned travel may have to be cancelled.

Impromptu will have to be made.

Change of housing and vehicles will occur in the family.

Improvement in life can be found in competitive work. Aims and desires can be achieved using time systematically. New ideas should be used for improvements in life.

No matter how smooth the matters run, you will have no desire to stay in your present work. Change is desired. Good change with improvements will happen. Help will be asked for and will have to be given. Money matters in business can be done systematically and successfully. Some improvements in business will be made.

Aims will see success. Business and wealth will improve. Life will improve. New ideas will come into action. Novel matters will have to be handled with success. Talks on accommodation will be successful. Using rising opportunities will give improvements. Family properties thought to be lost will return. Success over others can occur due to intelligence. Business aims will be successful. Overdue loans and properties will regain.

Other races and nationalities will be advantageous. Temporary separation with beloved ones is foreseen.

MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017 / 43

myanmore card deals

RESTAURANT AJISHIN JAPANESE RESTAURANT - 10% off on food only (2pm — 10pm) - Sunday and Monday

HOUSE OF MEMORIES RESTAURANT - (Food & Drink ) Total bill 5% discount IMPERIAL GARDEN - 10% discount on food & drinks for weekday, Monday to Friday.

BLACK HAT WINE BAR & BURMESE TAPAS RESTAURANT - (Food & Drink ) Total bill 10% discount

JASMINE GARDEN RESTAURANT - 10% off on food

BULGOGI BROTHERS - 10% off on total bill.

- Free Flow Coke, Sprite & Max Orange - No room charge and no corkage fee - Valid everyday.

KIPLINGS RESTAURANT– GREEN PAN ASIAN CUISINE @ SAVOY HOTEL - Free aperitif (1 glass of house or sparkling wine, draft beer, soft drink) - Valid only with food purchased - For 2 persons per card

CHATRIUM THE EMPORIA RESTAURANT - 10% saving on daily rate - Valid all days - Advance booking is required - 2 persons per card TIGER HILL CHINESE RESTAURANT - 15% saving on Dim Sum Lunch ( minimum order for 2 persons ) - Valid all days - Advance booking is required - 4 persons per card KOHAKU JAPANESE RESTAURANT - 15 % saving on A La Carte Menu or Set Menu for Lunch - Valid all days - Advance booking is required - 4 persons per card DiVINO - 10% off total bill for lunch and dinner - Valid everyday, booking required, maximum 4 people per card - (Not Valid for set menu ,Business lunch and promotions) DIY Hot Pot & BBQ - 10% off on food only ( 11am - 5pm ) - Valid everyday - Advance Booking Required EDO ZUSHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT - 10% off total bill - Valid everyday, 1 group per card, advanced booking required.

EMPRESS RESTAURANT - 10% off total bill ESPERADO ROOFTOP BAR & RESTAURANT - 10% off total bill - Valid on Everyday FISH & CO RESTAURANT - 10% off on total bill - Not valid with any other promotion - Valid at Fish & Co. Myanmar (Parami Outlet) and Valid for dining only - Valid for everyday - Advanced booking is require - Valid for same table/ same group

KKPOTS - 10% off total bill L’OPERA ITALIAN RESTAURANT AND BAR - 10% off the A La Carte bill (not valid for set menu, business lunch and promotions) - 10% off “Romantic” packages (for couples) - Valid everyday, for cash payment only, for up to 8 persons.

LE BISTROT @ SAVOY HOTEL - Free aperitif (1 glass of house or sparkling wine, draft beer, soft drink) - Valid only with food purchased - For 2 persons per card MAHLZEIT - Valid per 1 person per card - Cash payment only and booking required.

- Free dessert after main dish purchased.

MERLION CUISINE SINGAPORE RESTAURANT - 10% off the A La Carte bill - Not valid for set Menu, business lunch & promotions MONSOON RESTAURANT AND BAR - 10% off à la carte bill - Valid everyday, 4 persons per card ORNG KITCHEN - 20% off food bill - Tues to Sunday (12 — 3), (5:30 — 9:30) OSAKA OHSHO JAPANESE RESTAURANT - 10% off total bill in all branches P FOR PIZZA - 10% off total bill - Valid everyday - 6 persons per card (cannot be combined with any other promotion) PADONMAR RESTAURANT - 10% off total food bill for a minimum order of 2 dishes per person.

- Not valid on set menu.

- Valid everyday, 4 persons per card

Royal Jasmine Authentic Thai Cuisine - 10% discount (exclude drink) - Everyday SHAN KITCHEN - 10% off on total bill (exclude alcohol) - Valid everyday - Advanced booking required TAING YIN THAR - 10% off total food bill - Valid everyday, 15 persons per card.

THAI 47 - 10% off total bill in all branches - Everyday THAI FU RESTAURANT - 10% off on total bill - Everyday (11:00) am to (11:00)pm THE BRUNCH SOCIETY - 10% off on total bill - Everyday THE CORRIANDER LEAF - 10% off total bill - Valid everyday.

THE MANHATTAN FISH MARKET - 30% off desserts for any main dish purchased - 50% off desserts for hot or cold drink purchased between 2pm and 6pm - Valid everyday up to 12 persons per card THE MARINA INDIAN RESTAURANT - Lunch -15% off total bill - Dinner -10% off total bill - Discount can not be used with Lunchbox meals and other promotions.

THE PHAYRE’S GASTRONOMY - 10% off total bill not valid with any other promotion.

- Advanced booking required.

- Valid everyday.

THE TAJ - 10% off total bill not valid with any other promotion.

- Everyday.

VINTAGE LUXURY YACHT HOTEL - 15% off food and drinks - Valid everyday, for 10 person!

BAR & CLUB AJ’S BAR & GRILL - Free glass of beer with dinner offer - Applies of house beer valid for parties of 2 or more - Monday to Friday CASK 81 - 10% for coffee time (8am — 5pm) - 15% for bar (5pm — Midnight)

PARKROYAL LOBBY BAR - 15% off food and drinks, except Happy hours - Valid Monday to Friday.

CLUB 5 @ PARKROYAL - 15% off bottles of wine and hard liquor.

- Valid Monday to Friday, not valid for loose drinks

SPICE BRASSERIE - 15% off food and drinks - Valid Monday to Friday, booking required

CLUB RIZZOLI @ CHATRIUM - 20% saving on total bill - Valid on Saturday and Sunday, (10 pm onwards) - Up to 6 persons per card

FORK & SPOON RESTAURANT & BAR - 10% off Food, drink & wine + free dessert (cannot be used with other member cards) - Valid everyday - Buy 1 get 1 free of Carlsberg draft beer between 5:00 pm to 9:00pm on every evening .

- Advanced booking required.

SI CHUAN DOU HUA - 15% off food and drinks - Valid Monday to Friday, booking required

J BAR - 10% off on food

GREEN ELEPHANT RESTAURANT (YGN, MDY, BGN) - 5% discount on total amount - Valid everyday

PASTAMANIA - 15% off all mains (Pasta & Pizza food offerings) - Dine in only.

HANA YAKINIKU JAPANESE BBQ RESTAURANT (MDY) - 5% off on all dishes in A La Carte Menu, does not stack with other promos at the time of use.

- Valid everyday

PORTERHOUSE - 10% discount on total bill for Lunch - Valid on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (10:00 AM to 2:00 PM) - Advanced booking required

HARLEY’S - Buy a regular set meal menu and upsize it for free.

- Valid everyday, 2 person per card

PORTICO RESTAURANT @ ROSE GARDEN HOTEL - 10% off daily Business lunch - Valid on food items only, on weekdays, 1 person per card.

FISHERMAN’S VILLAGE - 10% off on regular Menu.

- 20% off on special Menu.

- Buy 1 get 1 (Beer Only)

HOT STONE PIZZA - 10% off total bill not valid with any other promotion.

- Valid everyday

44 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

SHIKI TEI - 15% off food and drinks - Valid Monday to Friday, booking required

RAU RAM - One free beer or glass of wine with meal for parties two and above - Tuesday through Sunday.

RETRO BAR @ HOTEL 63 - Last tequila every Friday and Saturday - Gets a round of Carvino tequila Shot - 10% discount on food - Valid for only Friday and Saturday - Valid for 1-5 persons per card.

THE FLORAL BREEZE HOTEL ( THE MOON BAR) - 10% off total bill.

VERANDA BAR @ ROSE GARDEN HOTEL - Buy one Cocktail of the day, get one free (from 4pm to 6:30 pm) - Valid everyday,1 person per card.

UNION BAR & GRILL - Buy one get one free on Burgers - Only on Monday (5PM -10 PM)!!!

- Not available with any other promotional Discount.

CAFE CAFE’ CAESAR - 15% off (only food) - Everyday CAFE’ PARADISE - 10% off total bill for breakfast - Weekdays only CAFE @ RESIDENCE 26 - 10 % discount on Food & Beverage. Not valid for promotions.

- Valid for all days from 5 pm to 9 pm - Maximum 2 persons per card EASY CAFE AND RESTAURANT - 10% off total minimum spending of 8000 kyats and above.

- Not valid for retail products. Maximum party size of 4.

FREEDOM CAFE SULE - 20% off total bill - Everyday JASMINE CAFE - 10% off total bill.

MERINGUE CAFE - 10% off from the total bill if you spend at least 5000 kyats.

- Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer NOW & THEN - 20% off total bill (Weekday only) - Dine in only (can not be combined with others discount and promotions) ONE COOL CAFE - 10% off on weekday - 15% off on weekend SAIGON BAGUETTE & CAFE’ - 10% off total bill/ Person/Group (5 people).

- Not applicable for on going promotion.

THE GALLERY CAFE - 5% off on everyday WTC - World Training Center - 10% off entire selection of coffees - Valid everyday, for 2 persons.

DESSERT SNOW FACTORY - 10 % off Snow Flake Menu - 10% off fish cake @ BUSAN - 10% off Coffee menus - Valid everyday, 2 persons per card.

WELLBEING ALICE: EYEBROWS TATTOO STUDIO - 20% off for every service.

- 3D Slide Shady - 6D Eyebrows Tattoo - 3D & 6D Remix - Every week of Monday to Thursday - Advance call for booking are more than welcome.

- 2 persons per card BEE CHOO ORIGIN - 10 % discount Herbal hair & Scalp Treatment - If buy product 3 items 10% discount - On weekdays CALIFORNIA SKIN SPA - 20% off selected facial and full body treatments - Valid everyday, advance booking required, 2 persons per card Dee Mak Thai Spa - 20% off total bill - Valid everyday INYA DAY SPA - 15% discount on all spa services - 10% discount on Thai Body Massage - Valid everyday,1 person per card, booking recommended PARKROYAL Fitness & Spa - 15% off spa treatments, except happy hours.

- Valid Monday to Friday, booking required.

SAPEL SPA @ HOTEL 63 - Two Beers or Cocktails after spa treatment - Valid for all days - Valid for 1-5 persons per card SPA ELEMENTS - 15 % off - JAMU pre- and post-natal care packages - 10% off - Face, body and foot spa // Mani-Pedis // Hair // Waxing and scrub - Valid on Wednesday & Monday, 1 person per card.

THE BODYGUARD - This hair salon and massage parlour had been designed by men and for men only.

- 15% off from 10:30am to 5:30 pm - Valid everyday, 2 persons per card TMT Hair Design - 30% off total Bill VINTAGE LUXURY YACHT HOTEL - 10% off all spa treatments - Valid everyday, for up to 10 people!, Advanced booking recommended.

YANGON HAIR & BEAUTY CENTER - 20% off any single treatment - 10% off packages - Valid weekdays, 1 person per card Y.G.N BY MUGUET JAPON HEALTH SPA AND WELLNESS CENTER - 10% off Head & Shoulder, Foot Massage, Dry Massage (Japanese, Myanmar & Thai) - Pedicure, Manicure - Weekdays only YVES Rocher Spa - 10% discount on total bill - Valid everyday, one person per card

GYM CHATRIUM HEALTH CLUB - 10 % saving rate - Valid all days - Advance booking is required - 2 persons per card TRAINING GROUND - 10% off all regular priced membership prices (can not be combined with others discount and promotion)

SHOPPING PATRICK ROBERT THE GALLERY - 5% discount in all showroom items.

- Valid everyday (closed Sundays), one person per card THE WAREHOUSE - 15% off total bill - Valid everyday, 1 person per card VESTIGE MERCANTILE & RELICS - 10% off total bill.

- Valid everyday at: . Vestige Flagship Store, Yangon . Vestige Kiosk, Avenue 64 Hotel. . Vestige Flagship Store, Nay Pyi Taw - Valid everyday, 1 person per card

ACTIVITY YVES Rocher - 10% discount on all products - Valid everyday, 1 person per card VOICE INDUSTRY FAMILY - 10% off all room charges & 10% off all items in the foods menu - Everyday WTC - World Training Center - 5% off Barista & Bakery classes - Valid everyday, 1 person per class.

HOTEL AMATA HOTELS - MY BAGAN RESIDENCE - 30 % off on published rate for accommodation - 10 % off food & Beverages - 10% off Nibbana Spa AMATA HOTELS - RIVERSIDE HSIPAW RESORT - 25 % off on published rate for accommodation - 10 % off on food & beverages - 10% off Nibbana Spa AMATA RESORT & SPA - NGAPALI BEACH - 20% off on published rate for accommodation - 10% off food & beverages - 10% off Nibbana Spa AMATA GARDEN RESORT -INLE LAKE - 30% off on published rate for accommodation - 10% off food & beverages - 10% off Nibbana Spa

BAYVIEW THE BEACH RESORT - 10% off on accommodation only based on published websites rate - Not combinable with other promotions - All year - 1 room per card (any category) BUSINESS ALLIANCE HOTEL - 20% off rooms - 10% off food - Free use of hotel gym - Everyday depending on rooms availability.

GRAND LAUREL HOTEL - 10% off on published room rates for all room types - Free welcome drink - Free use of hotel gym during stay HOTEL 51 - 15% off on all room types.

- Valid everyday, 1 person per card INLE LOTUS HOTEL - 20% off total bill, incl Ticketing, Rentals, Trekking.

- Valid everyday, 3 rooms per card, booking required NAN MYAING (PYIN OO LWIN) - 15% off walk in rates - 10% off dining ORCHID HOTEL - 15% off walk in rates - 10% off dining ORCHID HOTEL - 10% off on all published room rates - 10 % off restaurant charges - Free fruit tray upon arrival - Valid Sunday to Thursday, 1 person per card, advance booking required PLATINUM HOTELS - 4 outlets in Yangon - 20% off on all published room rates - Valid everyday, one room per card, at Hotel Platinum Tamwe, Mini Platinum Guesthouse Bahan, Platinum Riverview Hotel Dagon, Royal Platinum Hotel Bahan VINTAGE LUXURY YACHT HOTEL - 10% off all room rates - Valid everyday.

GOLDEN SILK ROAD HOTEL - 5% discount on room charges Monday to Friday - 1 card per 2 persons HOTEL 63 - Be local, 39000 compulsory rooms without breakfast (Check-in 12pm — 12pm Check-out) - From Monday to Thursday - Email reservation is required - Valid for 1-5 persons per card SUMMIT PARKVIEW HOTEL - 10 % discount on Food and Beverage at Cafe, Dagon Bar & Pastry Counter - Valid for all days - Advance booking is required - Valid for 5 persons per card YUAN SHENG HOTEL - 10% off for room and food only

SERVICES 5ÀSEC

- 5% off all services - can not be used in addition to any other loyalty card offer - 7 days a week, 365 days a year, no blackout dates

LIVING IRRAWADDY TRAVEL SERVICES

- 10% off on Mt Victoria Trekking and Irrawaddy Dolphin Tour - October - April

MYANMAR NATIONAL AIRLINES

- 10% off Base Fare flight ticket - Applicable at MNA head office ticket counters only - Airport tax & other surcharges shall be borne by passengers - Not applicable for promotion flights - Management reserves the right to amend the T&Cs without prior notice

TOP SPEED AUTO SERVICES

- Body work and painting; 15% off (discount for labour only) - Oil change and compute diagnostics: 50% off (discount for labour only) - All repair services : 10% off (discount for labour only) - Monday - Saturday ( 9am — 5pm) - 2 persons per card

Enjoy greater discounts and privileges with your MYANMORE Card.

Learn more on www.myanmorecard.com MYANMORE magazine #6 Apr 2017 / 45

sports/wellness

2. TRX Lunge Benefits: A hands-free lunge that challenges unilateral leg strength and core stabilisation.

Tip: Keep heel on the ground and fully engage leg and glutes.

TRX Suspension Training

3. TRX Abducted Lunge Benefits: Suspending the leg out to the side strengthens core, hips, abductors and adductors.

Tip: Lift body and open chest to maintain a straight back while lunging.

Suspension Training is becoming the functional training system of choice for elite units in every branch of the US Armed Forces. What is it and why is it so popular? We’ll find out more in this month’s sports and wellness article.

What

Suspension training is unique as it makes use of a modern system of body weight exercises to develop strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. These exercises are distinguished from traditional exercises in that either the user’s hands or feet are generally supported by a single anchor point while the opposite end of the body is in contact with the ground.

A commonly used product, the TRX system, which makes use of the TRX suspension training tool, leverages gravity and the user’s body weight to complete the exercises. It was developed by former US Navy SEALs who needed a way to stay in peak condition and had limited training space.

Suspension training works by allowing the body to hang from an overhead support point while its center of gravity seeks the lowest point to the ground. For example, when you hand from a pull-up bar with both hands, your centre of gravity pulls you toward the floor. If you were to let go and hold with only one hand, your body would tilt and rotate, once again so that your centre of gravity would hang at the lowest central point. Suspension training utilises gravity and movement to generate neuromuscular responses to changes in body position and mechanical advantage. Movements using suspension training integrate strength and balance into a single dynamic format that taxes the nervous system at a high level and maximizes the benefits of body weight exercise for faster results.

Why

The benefits of suspension training workouts are not just applicable to the performance elites. They are relevant for everyone who seeks a method to safely and rapidly improve his or her fitness. Early on, in the US, personal trainers quickly embraced suspension training exercise, and suspension training group classes are thriving at

46 / MYANMORE magazine #7 May 2017

4. TRX Chest Press Benefits: Strengthens chest, triceps, shoulders and core.

Tip: Keep hands high enough to prevent the straps from rubbing against arms during the exercise.

health clubs across the country. Top celebrity trainers are incorporating suspension training exercises into the routines of their Hollywood A-listers with spectacular results. Senior wellness programs have turned to suspension training as a solution because it enables seniors to move freely without fear of falling. Physical therapists use suspension training to rehabilitate patients in hospital wellness centres, sports medicine clinics and chiropractic offices. Clinical trials are currently underway to distill the best-practice treatment protocols for a variety of common orthopedic maladies and sport-related injuries.

5. TRX Sit-Up Benefits: Pressing down into the straps provides better core strength development.

Tip: Drive heels straight down into straps for full muscle activation from beginning to finish.

6. TRX Plank (on hands) Benefits: Builds strength and endurance in the shoulders and core.

Tip: Keep shoulders pulled back and core engaged to keep back muscles from sagging.

This fantastic and simple method of exercise can allow anyone to reach their desired goal, be it weight loss, improved muscle tone or overall fitness.

7. TRX Plank (on elbows) Benefits: Challenges the entire core and develops upper body stability and strength.

Tip: Keep tailbone lifted and core engaged to maintain body alignment and avoid sagging in back and hips.

Who

Although suspension training is ideal for most levels of fitness, it makes use of body weight exercises exclusively and thus taxes the core heavily. It will be useful to develop a strong enough core before attempting advanced or more difficult exercises.

8. TRX High Row Benefits: Strengthens upper back, biceps and shoulders.

Tip: Keep chest lifted to finish the row with a tall posture and no rounding in back.

Where

Suspension training can be done anytime, anywhere, even when space is a constraint. You can either make use of the TRX training tool or tie a few strong ropes or sheets together to form a harness to suspend from.

Training Ground is equipped with state-of-the art facilities that include top grade fitness equipment from Life Fitness and world-class professional audio systems by Electro-Voice. We offer group exercise classes and training programs that are led by highly experienced fitness professionals with international certifications. In addition to its service offerings, Training Ground also provides specific rehabilitation trainings for members with injuries through our team of certified physiotherapists.

How

Outlined below are some simple suspension training exercises utilising the TRX trainer:

6

1. TRX Squat Benefits: This simple squat takes some load off the knees by leaning back slightly.

Tip: Press glutes back on the way down and engage them on the way up.

8a

8b