InDepth (MYANMORE) - April, Volume 6

InDepth No 6, April 2015

model behaviour tin moe lwin

more more more more

Art fAshioN trAvel lifestyle

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

CoNteNts 3

teAM

18

maNaGiNG direCTor

the technology revolution in Myanmar

Andreas sigurdsson

ediTor

20 Chef's Profile

Bob Percival

CoNTribuTorS

Bob Percival tet Ka tho soe Moe Naing Mimi Wu Borbรกlรก Kรกlmรกn Aimee lawrence Keith lyons Max toomey Zara Dang

Cover PhoTo Gerhard Joren www.gerhardjoren.com

BUsiNess

arrived in yangon at shwe sa Bwe, helping Myanmar youth

6

streets of yANGoN

14th street - old Chinese houses, blood tonics, and nat spirits

PhoToGraPhY

12

trAvel

Keith lyons explores the caves of Pindaya, and confronts the giant spider

14

iMPressioNs

shwe U-Daung and his

the Pictureman Gerhard Joren, Max toomey hong sar

22

iN foCUs

24

heAlth

26

horosCoPe

A new photography space, italian pizza, sweet science, and Mediterranen bistro

the curative powers of pennywort leaf

rangoon

arT & ProduCTioN Kyaw Kyaw tun

PubliSher U Myo Aung (Permanent No.00315) inDepth MyANMore Magazine 1st floor, Annex Building, strand hotel, 92 strand road, yangon, Myanmar

PriNTer shwe Naing Ngan Press Permit No: 05745 No.90(C), Kabar Aye Pagoda rd., Bahan tsp., yangon.

8

Art

SaleS sales@myanmore.com 01 375 680 Contact us on indepth@myanmore.com

10 Cover story 16 Mimi Wu chats with the Mother of Models, tin Moe lwin

ADveNtUre

country of Chin state

abouT mYaNmore

diSTribuTioN

two quarterly guides - enjoyit and Knowit. the mission is to give visitors and residents of yangon more to enjoy and explore.

Business times and Zaobao. subscribe to any of these and get inDepth delivered every month. for more info contact successinternational2007@gmail.com.

MyANMore is a registered brand under lychee ventures (Myanmar) limited that manage the leading lifestyle and entertainment website www.myanmore.com. on top of inDepth, MyANMore also provides city

inDepth can be found in hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, business centres and embassies etc in yangon. it is also distributed

our very own astrologer on for April, 2015

diSClaimer

No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the Managing Director. All details are deemed correct at the time of print, the editor, employees and contributors can not be held responsible for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions that might occur.

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

4 WhAt’s oN eveNts 9th APril | stAGe JuiZe miX baTTle mYaNmar The wait is over! Here comes the DJ Battles. Join the battles and win awesome prizes. Live performances by G Tone,K-CA$H (MC), One Way, Hit II, Natkyaw/ Spider/ CJ, YBV, Si Phyo

by Wunna Lynn (R.O.A.R), Tun Myar (O.K.P).

9 April 2015 @ 4:00 PM- 7:00 PM / Taw Win Center - Pyay Road,

10th APril | NiGhtlife FreNCh love FridaY #11

Warm it up before Thingyan! Electro DJ Set Davdenam X Fisewook. Tech house |indie Dance | deep house | minimale, French touch| Nu-Disco. 6,000 Ks (+ 3 free drinks). FREE FOR IFB STUDENTS! SPONSORED by Dagon Beer.

10 April 2015 @ 10PM - 2AM / French Institute - 340, Pyay Road, Sanchaung Tsp (Close to Hanthar Waddy Bus stop)

discounted at 4,000 Ks in Swae Matt Otaku Store - 2nd Floor, Dagon Centre, Game Hive Video Game Shop 1- No. 94,39th Street(lower block), Kyauktada Township. Every pre-ticket comes with a dvd footage of the 4th MMOtaku Event which can be exchanged at the promotion counter at the event day.

(The DVD that will be sold at 1,000 Ks at the event).

26 April @ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM/ MICT Park - Myanmar Info-Tech- Hlaing Tsp (Next to Yandanarpon Teleport Compound)

30 APril | NiGhtlife iNTerNaTioNal JaZZ daY A celebration of International Jazz Day with live bands at Institut français de Birmanie (IFB) from 7pm Wednesday April 30 with the support of Goethe Institute and some of our great local musicians. Bring dancing shoes and a mat to sit on! FREE ENTRY Food (catered by La Tartine) and drinks available..

30 April @ 7:00 PM / IFB - Institut Français de Birmanie , 340 , Pyay Road, Sanchaung Tsp.

13th - 16th APr | stAGe iroN CroSS & SiGNaTure blue ZoNe WaTer FeSTival 2015 Grand Royal and IC FREE show. Enjoy the music show of International DJs in Signature Blue Zone.

13 April - 16 April @ 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM / Kandawgyi Myaw Sin Island, Nat Mauk Rd (Inside Kandawgyi Park)

17 APril | PUBliC holiDAy mYaNmar NeW Year

New Year's Day , all the water-throwing ends. This day is celebrated by remerit, and special feasts are held for monks.

Credit http://myanmartravel.org/festivals/thingyan.html

26th APril | ACtivities

hAPPy hoUrs

hotel & trAvel

hummingbird restaurant

ParKroYal YaNGoN

Hummingbird restaurant, lounge and roof terrace is a unique new dining concept at the heart of Yangon’s central business district. Set in a beautifully restored heritage building, Hummingoutdoor terrace.

Fusing high-quality Latin American cuisine using locally sourced ingredients from an award-winning chef downstairs at affordable prices, with a luxurious New York speak-easy-style top terrace on the second, Hummingbird is a distinctive new addition to Yangon’s ever expanding international wining and dining scene.

76 Phone Gyi Road

Port autonomy

Thirsty? We hear you? Here's ID's featured Happy Hour Guide for Yangon

escape Gastro bar

Daily: 11am – 7pm, Cocktail 30% off, draught beer, buy 2 get 1 free 31D Kan Yeik Tha Street, Yankin Township, +95(0)1660737

Peperoni bar

Daily: 5pm – 8pm, 50% off all wines, beers and cocktails Union Business Centre, Nat Mauk rd, Bahan Township

The blind Tiger

Daily: 5pm - 7pm, 50% off wine, cocktails and beers Unit 111 United Condominium Corner Nawaday Street & Alan Pya Pagoda Road, Dagon Township, +95 (0) 1388488

5Th mYaNmar CoSPlaY vintage luxury Yacht hotel Daily: 5 – 10 pm, Beers at 6,900 Ks and & oTaKu FeSTival Cosplay Event Tickets are now available for purchase with pre-tickets

NeW oPeNiNGs

30% of bar menu No 6, Botahtaung Jetty, Seikkan Township, +95 (0) 19010555

HAPPY THINGYAN 2015 (USD 150 nett per night)

Stay with us and be entertained by truly authentic local experiences with recommendations from our warm and friendly PARKROYAL people.

Included in this package: - Welcome fruit basket upon arrival - Complimentary room upgrade to Deluxe Room - International Buffet Breakfast for 2 persons - Unlimited broadband access ming pool and tennis court - Complimentary entrance to Club 5 - 20% savings on Laundry - 20% savings on SPA - 20% savings on all restaurants ( excluding promotional and festival menus) - Early check in by 9:00 am - Late check out up to 6:00 pm Applicable only for Myanmar citizen and local residents.

PARKROYAL YANGON - 33,Alan Pya Phaya Road,Dagon Road.RSVP @ 95 1 250388, 95 1 252478 or enquiry. pryygn@parkroyalhotels.com

rose Garden hotel

'Having made a splash as a pop-up concept at the lively Lanthit Jetty, Port Autonomy is now located on the vast green grounds of the old Le Planteur restaurant The new setting offers a hidden, exotic ambience yet retains its previous Burmese beer hall vibe to create a truly unique venue for Yangon diners.

Chef Kevin Ching's playful, contemporary menu showcases the freshest Shan State produce, regional seafood and locally-made artisanal products in familiar yet exciting comfort food ences ranging from Mexican to Korean to Burmese. The newly revamped bar provides refreshing and potent cocktails to cool you off at this distinctive open-air bistro.'

22A Kabaraye Pagoda Road

Summer Special: US $160 (04/01 04/30 2015 over $60 in saving) Superior room (single or double) with breakfast. Complimentary lunch or dinner with set menu. Additional service included: late check out at 2:00 pm Call +95(1)371992 or email to rsv. rosegarden@gmail.com (or) info@ theroseyangon.com Transportation services can be arranged for an additional low fee!

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

Myanmar New Year Special al, 5. Guide Service, 6. Visa Service, Promotion for Myanmar Citi- 7. Free & Easy Tours zen Building 29/30, Room 29B, 1st Floor, (From April 10 to April 21) Thingyan Package 1 - US$ 90 nett Price Includes: - One night stay for Superior Room (Single/Double) - Complimentary Breakfast for Two Person Thingyan Package 2 - US$ 140 nett Price Includes: - One night stay for Superior Room (Single/Double) - Complimentary Breakfast for Two Person - Set Lunch or Dinner for 2 person at Veranda Bar Pay additional US $60 nett for upgrade to Bamboo Deluxe. Extra Bed at US $40 nett including Breakfast for one child or an adult. Child Policy: Age under 6 year old, Complimentary breakfast sharing in same bed with parent.

Booking Period: With immediate effect till 20th April 2015. Stay Period: 10April 2015 ~ 21- April 2015 Book Now! Call 371992 (ext :1040/ 1010~1016)

Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & resort

mar's Coastline, we strive to provide an excellent venue for both sun seekers and sailing enthusiasts from all over the world. With a new resort in Ngwe Saung's serene & private Southern end of the beach, we are setting a precedence in Myanmar hospitality industry.

Room Rates from $145 ~ $300 No.84, Hlaing Myint Moh Lane#1, 10th Quarter, Hlaing Township, Yangon, Myanmar, +95 1 539530, +95 1 539587, info@ngwesaungyachtclub.com

mr. myanmar Travel & Tours 1. International Outbound Tours (FIT, Family, Incentive, MICE), 2. International and Domestic Tickets, 3. Worldwide Hotel Reservation, 4. Car Rent-

Bahosi Housing, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon, 01-228828, 09 799753144, 09 799753155, info@mrmyanmar-travel. com

eskala hotels & resorts

Eskala Hotels & Resorts Ngwe Saung is the premier beach front destination in Myanmar, offering stylish rooms and villas with charming ocean views. From fresh seafood in our highly regarded restaurant and cocktails by the poolside bar to excursions to nearby islands and games on the beach, we’ve got everything you need to have a memorable stay in Myanmar.

Ahlone Tower, Strand Road, River View Garden Housing, Ahlone Township, Yangon, Myanmar. +95 1 211430, +95 1 2300079, +95 9 250 186 988, +95 9 420 176 049, reservation@ youreskala.com

thiNGyAN GUiDe most pandals in the following party areas: Kandawgyi Lake, Kabaraye Pagoda Road, Pyay Road, City Hall, 8 mile and Pyay Road.

barraCK WaTer FeSTival 2015 With one of the best DJs : DJ WINE. Contact person: Won Tha Swan Paing - 09421109929, (35,000 Ks)16th Apr, (55,000 Ks) ALL DAY. Facilities includes: free lunch box from Khaing Soe Soe Myanmar Restaurant, Happy Hour of beer & unlimited punch, full security, free transportation (return only), Barrack Water Festival Mandat - Kabar Aye Pagoda rd, Bahan Tsp

illumiNaTi ThiNGYaN FeSTival 2015 lluminati Thingyan Festival Mandat for 2015. Join them to earn exclusive offers. Contact persons: Kyaw Gyi09421058922 / May Oo- 095501368 / Lynn Myat- 09250187680 / Mhawsayar- 09420257162. Ticket prices: 10,000/ 15,000/ 25,000/ 35,000/ 50,000/ 80,000 Ks. Illuminati Mandat-Kandawgyi Kan Yeik Thar rd(near Power Light Restaurant), Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp

WhAt’s oN 5 ThiNGYaN FeSTival Survivor's Tips

Wear something appropriate. If you’re planning to be out, it’s guaranteed that you will get wet. that restrict your movements are not recommended.

Protect your eyes and ears. The water, especially the high-powered hoses, can be potentially harmful. A pair of plastic sunglasses and a towel is recommended to protect your head.

Do not drink the water use to spray at you. These are water from the lake.

Consume alcohol in moderation.

NEVR drink and drive Keep your valuables at home.

Only bring what is the most nec-

ChaNNel 5 WaTer FeSTival 2015 095021789/ Cho Phyo - 098614655/ Ag Kyaw Soe - 096500004 (VIP and All Days only). ALL DAYS – 59,000 Ks, VIP – 120,000 Ks Channel 5 Water Festival Mandat IBC, Pyay rd, Mayangone Tsp

ThiNGYaN muSiC FeSTival (TmF) 2015 3 Headliner DJs for TMF at Yangon Thingyan Mandat 2015, Day 01 (14/4) DJ: Thomas Newson, Day 02 (15/4): DJ BL3ND, Day 03 (16/4): HELENA. Contact persons: Aung Thu Thein 09450045007, Chit Ko - 095011713.

All Days @ 100,000 Ks(Early Birds Price),Day 03 @ 45,000 Ks. TMF Mandat - Pyay Road, In front of Kan Baung, Kamaryut Tsp

1ST biGGeST WaTer ParTY iN mYaNmar (32,400 Sq ft close type), non-stop cooling shower systems, Remembrance lighting systems, exciting sound systems, best DJ machine & professional 2 DJs from popular clubs in Yangon.

Tickets for All day is 55,000 Ks. For more info: 09 261119030.

essary. Your belongings will get wet; a waterproof bag is recommended.

Use your common sense. Move away if you see a potentially dangerous situation.

The Following are Prohibited Spray or throw water after 6pm Spray or throw hot water Using liquid other than water such as beer Throw objects other than water such as food Behaviours that are against the law Spray water to the eyes or face area

People’s Park & People’s Square - Pyay Rd (same compound with Happy World Amusement Center)

Troll 2015 WaTer FeSTival Collaboration with DJ Bar! DJ NEO , DJ SHINE (DJ BAR ). Monster foam party. Ticket for all days is 50,000 Ks. Label) , 5 VIP: 900,000 Ks. Contact person - STEVEN : 095047150, PHO LONE: 095080366.

TROLL MANDAT-Pyay Road (Beside Inya View Condo), Mayangone Tsp

KFC ThiNGYaN Tour

It is a Thingyan tour around town arranged by KFC Myanmar which is for FREE but need to book your seat before the festival days. RSVP at http://www. kfc-myanmarevents.com/ Mya Kyun Thar Golf Club- Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp

For more up-to-date happenings, check out the MYANMORE Weekly Guide that comes out every Friday and can be found all over Yangon. For daily updates and complete listings go to www.myanmore.com

6 streets of yANGoN

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

Photo by Max Toomey

14 STreeT Th

Bob Percival a famous blood tonic, and the spirit of the guardian nat of the bunyan tree.

T

his morning I am shopping with Chit Phue who works at one of the large downtown hotels. She and her husband sat by my bed for twenty-four hours when I was admitted to Yangon General Hospital last year at a time when Chit Phue was eight months pregnant. Now they have a beautiful daughter, Everest, named after the mountain; a strong name for a very strong girl. Chit Phue is looking for some health tonic that that can only be found on 14th.

Here in the lower block you will Kabakyaw (Very Popular), selling the ubiquitous lunch baskets plus the accompanying stainless

The air is cool after last night’s go rain heralding Thingyan. This rainwater and putrid rubbish, piled up since last rainy season. This is the Yangon we known love. At the bottom of 14th Street, at Strand Road there is a sign placed beside two large plastic YCDC garbage bins, stating in Burmese, a list of ing bin lies a few extra piles of garbage. No shortage

saparhnan, unhusked paddy rice, hangs up nearby for sparrows to eat, providing good merit for all. Some Burmese lettering on the wall next to the saparhnan, declares, Patience – Love – Loyalty.

beautiful Nainn Nainn Gallery run by local Yangon artist who producastically conducted children’s art classes. At No.16 there is an elegant abandoned house where you can peer inside and see numerous old photos of monks lining the wall, and at No.18 stands a rare wooden-gated heritage Chinesestyle house. Next door, a house displays a ‘don’t park car in front of house’ sign in Burmese, on its wooden door; 14th Street is full of these signs, in previous days the signs might have read, ‘don’t park your trishaws and gurrha wooden carriages in front of bungalow’. The lower block is a perfect place to admire Yangon’s unique heritage of decorated metal verandah railings, a specialised interest to be sure, but very satisfying. No.21 has its yellow and green trian-

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

gles, the abandoned No.24 has blue, green and brown hexagonals, No.32, the distinctive red, green and yellow arrow points, and No.34, the Christmas tree patterns so numerous around downtown Yangon. Across the road is the framing shop, Tha Har Ya, which also sells wholesale bundles of chewing tobacco, say ywet gyi, brought up from Henzada and other nearby Ayeyarwaddy delta towns. You can see the tobacco leaf more closely a bit further down the street at No.40 where the leaf is packed into smaller plastic bags for sale at 75Ks. The yellow tobacco leaf, pakkhu, is best, and darker colour leaf, mginchan, of inferior quality.

Next door, is a traditional cabinet and furniture shop, Hla Myat Thwe Furniture, making teak cabinets for around 200,000Ks. On the corner of Mahabandoola Road (there is no Merchant Street west of Shwedagon Road) is the quaint old snack shop, Ei Kyaw Kway.

As we cross Mahabandoola Road to the middle block, Chit Phue’s eyes light up on the sight of Ruby Place on the northeast corner, with its landmark sign on the upstairs verandah of a yellow kala (a small circular tray with stem, used for offering food to Buddha), topped by the image of a red ruby. This is the home of Padamya Medical Hall and its famous U Aung Khin’s Padamya Blood Tonic, a cure-all for good digestion, a healthy heart and a sound sleep. The shop has been here since 1935, and by the looks of it, has remained Khin. His very amiable 62-year-old daughter, Myan Aung, now manages the almost empty store. Nearby there is an outside cafe, so we sit down for a break-

streets of yANGoN 7 fast of fried rice, egg and noodle salad, and hot sweet tea of course.

Next door is a shop selling the wellknown mats from Pantanaw, woven from straps of Thin reed, a couple of which I have at home. Chit Phue reminds me that it’s good to pour water on them, to keep cool when Further up the street there are more old Chinese style residences with green wooden shutters. At No.83 there is a shop selling stainless steel kitchenware but also the traditional Chinese enamelware bowls with

displaced due to the British rebuilding of downtown Yangon, were shifted here. These monasteries were at ‘Thaingyi bazaar, Bogyoke market, Mogul street and Sule pagoda’. In this last section of 14th Street stands a giant banyan tree. At its foot lies an untidy cluster of wooden nat shrines, the two most prominent of which contain the two nats, bobo-gyi nyaung-pin, the Old Man of the Banyan Tree, and Mother Nan KaRine, the horns of a buffalo. Chit Phue exclaims that nat history is ‘far too complicated’, and carefully places

somehow remind you of a nostalgic childhood; they are chipped with their authenticity. The large bowls are used for washing vegetables and cost only 1600Ks. Just a bit further up the street is probably my favourite house, stained black with years of being oiled by petrol; its verandah is graced with a shy elderly Chinese woman who’s lived there all her life. It’s a very simple Yangon wooden

their bowls with fresh water. The nats have to be kept happy, she says, an unhappy nat is a troublesome spirit, and they are too mischievous for their own good. If you pass by on your walk, please do the same. It’s certainly a worthwhile act. The streets of Yangon are something to treasure.

Crossing Anawratha Street you come to the upper block, which is a cul-de-sac ending at a high wall that marks the boundary of the Thawyettaw Kyaungttaw monastery complex, which lies on the other side.

This area was once known as the mango garden,

Bob Percival is a travel writer and historian now living in Yangon for over a year, after spending four years in Yunnan doing research for a novel. He is presently completing his PhD in Creative Writing. He loves Yangon and regularly does walking tours. Bob can be reached on projectsdada@mac.com

8 Art

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

The NeW era oF The GoeTheiNSTiTuT YaNGoN Borbรกla Kรกlmรกn interviews Franz Xavier Augustin, the Director of the newly reopened Goethe-Institut, about its involvement in the Myanmar art scene and the reasons for it.

Photo by Hong Sar

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

Art 9

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orth of Kandawgyi Lake, a huge gate surmounts the sidewalk of Ko Min Ko Chin Road: the entrance to an almost one-century-old house, which has been forgotten by most. Once home of a wealthy Burmese-Chinese family, it later became the headquarters of Aung San and U Nu’s, Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League. After years serving as the State School of Fine Art, the house awaits a new chapter in its history. Franz Xaver Augustin, appointed Director of the Goethe-Institut in Myanmar in 2014 announced this February that the villa will soon welcome the German cultural centre, on a long term basis. Previously, Mr. Augustin was nam followed by six years spent as Regional Director of Southeast Asia and Australia, posted in Jakarta. He decided to inaugurate the villa with a unique contemporary art exhibition, Building Histories.

A new independent Goethe-Institut was recently opened. Why not earlier? founded in 1959 in Yangon – before the current Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila centres. The choice was not surprising; Yangon was then culturally the most interesting city in Southeast Asia. But soon after General Ne Win’s take-over, the institute had to close. Ne people was realised; a closer relationship with East and West Germany started, with local students traveling abroad, thanks to scholarships. Both German states played an important role in the economic development of Burma. After 1990, the reunited Germany strictly followed the imposed sanctions, and lost all its later, after Cyclone Nargis. I experienced the very difand was quite pessimistic about the possibility of opening an institute here. Despite this, I decided, even then, to start activities with local partners around muhappened during the last years of the regime, though until 2011, I did not see any chance for an institute here in Yangon.

The Villa, which still awaits a long renovation period, was inaugurated through an unconventional international exhibition curated by expert Iola Lenzi from Singapore. Why not only showcase artists from Myanmar?

Building Histories welcomed internationally wellknown artists from Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam) with artists from Myanmar – something which rarely happened here before. The personal background of these artists might have been different, but what they have in common is the very similar political, economic and cultural situation in their prospective neighboring countries. This helps and stimulates the exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Experience shows that an interaction between artists who grew up and developed their art under similar conditions works better than bringing in artists from further away.

Where do these perspectives meet, how are these similarities perceptible within the art scene of the region?

I am convinced that these ‘small’ countries, between China, India and Australia, have something in common, and that the artistic and creative expression of their similarities is interesting to see. The art of coun-

art in Burma, the development of the political poster, and art & propaganda could also be future topics.

However, in the future, we will not have that much space for exhibitions as we had until it now. After the renovation of the Villa, the big halls in the building will be used as rooms for our classes and seminars.

Hopefully there will be a new building next to the main house, with a gallery, library and auditorium.

sense. It cannot be only formalistic in style, relying on pure aesthetics or playing with forms, colours and light. Artists who are attentive to their social surity. I don’t think artists can change these societies or resolve their issues; but they can take up the role of

space.

As someone who has an art historical background and also followed the region’s art scene for more

That’s what many artists in Southeast Asia do, and what they have in common.

Cutting-edge art is quite hidden in Myanmar; this is a part of the contemporary art scene that is in many way invisible on the surface…

I consider one of the main tasks of certain established and emerging art spaces to be a platform for non-conventional forms of artistic expression, to create protected spaces for local artistic experiments. That is also one of the roles of the Goethe-Institut.

What was the general reaction of the public and the art scene to such a conceptual exhibition? have the impression that there were a lot of very positive reactions, both from the international and from the local scene. At the same time, I have the feeling that the young artists are still quite scared of possible repression. That’s why I insist on the protective function of spaces like ours. As for the general public, I can say we had about 2000 visitors for the exhibition.

Do you intend to continue this path by making the Villa a central venue for the arts?

Yes, arts in general, and with a focus on contemporary art. We are thinking of presenting some classics of German art of the past 50 years, and of exhibitions on early modern art in Myanmar. The history of graphic

Myanmar art scene?

It’s going through a very important moment, like 20 years ago in Vietnam: there, the system opened up suddenly, and behind the grey curtain appeared a lot of colour and interesting art. In Myanmar, the situation is similar, being connected to an extraordinary interest from the international public and media. That is surely a positive thing. The risk is that the forces of the or the joy in creating meaningful and unconventional comments about the general situation. There is the great temptation for some artists to please the mainstream taste of local and international collectors, and to cater to the expectations of the tourists, instead of being loyal to their ‘task’ as being seismographs of the political situation of the country. My advice to these artists would be to earn your money with your art, but of what happens in this turbulent change the country is going through. It might sound a bit teacher-like if I point out another phenomenon: after a certain initial success, often – partly due to the mentioned Myanmar hype – the creative search for the perfection of artistic expression can get weaker. That is one of the reasons why I think that impulses and inputs from outside, especially from those who went through similar conditions, do matter. I really hope the Goethe-Institut will not only provide cultural exchange and information about what happens outside the country, but also encourage the new creative generations to grow, be it in visual arts or in music, and perhaps in the performing arts, in the future.

10 Cover story

Photo by Gerhard Joren

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

Cover story 11

model behaviour Mimi Wu interviews the Mother of Models, Tin Moe Lwin, on grace, generosity, and paying it forward.

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was an eye-opening vacation to fashionable, urban Hong Kong. During her month’s long stay, she frequently noticed young girls and boys near her aunt and uncle’s house, who looked like they were going to class. “I asked who they were, and my aunt said they were models going for their lessons. From there, I stuck the word ‘model’ in my mind. At that time, nobody in Myanmar knew the word model; we used ‘beauty girl’ or ‘beauty lady’.”

Tin Moe Lwin began her modeling career in local and national sports festivals by holding signposts, a job given to girls not only with pretty faces but also with grace and their wits about them.

At that time, despite Myanmar being devoid of formal model training, her family had a wealth of experience in style and an emphasis on etiquette that they had passed on. “They were not models, but they were fashion lovers and style lovers. My uncle taught me walk straight with a book on my head. My mother taught me how to dress smart and dress up since high school. My clothes were always pressed; my hair was tidy. My parents and aunty were very good at sewing clothes, and they created homemade designs for me.

My grandmother was a professional embroiderer.”

ness training helped me become Miss Myanmar in 1993, Miss Myanmar Yangon in 1994, Miss Myanmar lades is long.

Tin Moe Lwin simultaneously studied modeling and mechanical engineering. She established Tin Moe Lwin Training in 1994 while still at university but was torn on what to pursue when she graduated from the Yangon Institute of Technology in 1996. “All my friends joined as engineers in Myanmar, Singapore, and Australia. I also thought about working as an engiIn 1996, she founded Talents and Models Company, highlighting her as a pioneer in the fashion industry.

She utilised her past experiences and familial imporcause talent can go everywhere. Being a magician, a sports champion, a teacher, a president. All are talents.

‘Model’ is second; models are roles, images.”

She currently represents over 100 women, men, and child models – or talents as she calls them – who follow in her footsteps of being multidimensional and being able to work in a wide spectrum of companies from construction to petroleum, cosmetics to airlines, IT companies to real estate development.

Her zero-tolerance policy on vices is unsurprising given her company’s emphasis on proper societal image, instead asking her talents to model themselves off her generous spirit. “I encourage our talent to do

Each month, her agency trains her talents on modeling and personal grooming. In addition, the company also runs a training center. Most are university educated from diverse disciplines, seeking guidance on how to present themselves and interact with society.

years, I have been emphasising CSR. Every class each month, we donate at least $500 to $2000 to charities.

The students don’t need to pay anything; part of their enrollment fee goes to charity and the fee is a normal market price. I donate in front of the students, to help disabled people, those with leprosy, schools for the blind, orphanages, to HIV-positive children, and the funeral association.”

I had so much support when I was starting, so now I want to open the door for others

they trust my family, my background education, and my image. This is why they send their daughter or son to my training center.”

Indeed, Tin Moe Lwin is a poised, elegant woman, and being around her makes one want to sit up straighter. It makes sense then that at her company’s core, Tin Moe Lwin teaches students, “how to conduct yourself, how to be ladies and gentlemen in society, and what is modern social behavior. We teach how to communicate with local senior leaders, how to approach VIPs, how to handle the media, and how to give respect to partners and colleagues. We teach sales staff seeking to improve their customer service, and housewives seeking beauty tips.’

Tin Moe Lwin has earned her nickname Mother of Models. As the eldest cousin in her family, she takes that role seriously, mentoring her younger cousins in the arts industry. Her training centre also allows her to hone students’ talents and support them with maternal care, while demanding a high moral standard that she deeply believes in herself.

“My company strongly prohibits alcohol, cigarettes, clubs, and discos. I don’t have contracts with my models. We work mutually and if you want to work, come; if you don’t go. Some models return to work, but I only take them back if they have a clean record.

Even the smallest thing, I won’t accept them.”

social responsibility activities, volunteering, and

Talents that embrace this image receive Tin Moe Lwin’s respect and support and have gone on to become successful models, actors and actresses, vocalists, and performers. “I had so much support when I was starting, so now I want to open the door for others. I’m not an acting academy or music academy but with directors, sponsors, companies, we have been growing together over the last twenty years. They help us alot, they take care of my talents by offering them good placements.”

Additionally, many small modeling agencies and event planning companies are opening, many by Tin Moe Lwin’s former students. Rather than feel cornered and competitive, she mentors them in agency management, promoting talent, being polished, and how to get good feedback from customers.

“In my twenty years of experience, I emphasised event away from events because my juniors and friends can do events very well. I accept the assignment and pass it onto my friends.” Such is her spirit of sharing – and recognising talent.

Now, in addition to being a successful owner and manager of a modeling agency and training centre, she also still models, MCs events, is a patron of clothing designers, hosts TV shows, and judges modeling competitions on and off air.

With such weight on talent in her company, it is little skills, too. She leads by doing: “It’s my lifestyle as well.”

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

12 trAvel

Photo by imke.stahlmann

uNderGrouNd, overGrouNd, WobbliNG Free iN The ShaN PlaTeau Keith Lyons takes us into the mysterious caves of Pindaya, with warnings of a giant spider and mild attacks of claustrophobia.

A

s we drive from Kalaw hill station through the high plateau town of Aungban towards Pindaya, the challenge is not to ask the driver to stop every few minutes to take photos of the unfolding scenery. The vistas revealed at each gentle twist and turn of the narrow road, add up to a picture-postcard panorama of rolling hills, patchwork

claims one. “Totally Eastern Europe,” offers another.

“I’m not sure if those places are populated by ethnic hill tribes with water buffalo and ox carts,” I add, as we pass a hamlet where the locals are harvesting and processing freshly culled wheat.

and contain at least one prominent tree. Every so often you see the exposed ridges of creamy grey limestone, and catch glimpses of the deep red earth, boasting its fertility.

A smattering of ethnic groups inhabit the area, populating different elevations, and specialising in cultivating selected labour-intensive crops, often with simple and antiquated equipment. Farming the best soil are the Palaung, the Danu, the Taung Yoe, and the area’s largest and most distinctive ethnic group, the Pa-O, who sport dark indigo tunics and red-orange turbans.

tels-coloured crops, the group I’m travelling with start to draw comparisons with more familiar landscapes in Europe or North America. “That looks just like Iowa,”

On this stretch of 40km road from Aungban to Pindaya, dry rice and corn is grown, as well as the predominant staple crop of wheat, its golden heads nodding in the cool breeze. There are also potatoes,

arrange themselves on the softly rounded, undulating

Photo by Christopher Michel

hanging gourd choko or chayote, green beans, sesame, rapeseed, ginger, chillies and turmeric. As well, is this area’s famous crop, Camellia sinensis. We stop to pluck its pale-green serrated leaves, cradling the

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

trAvel 13

soft glossy yield in our hands. “You can eat this tea,” I urge my travel companions. “Locals pickle and eat it as well as using as a drink.” Bitter and herbaceous to taste, we’ll save some for the afternoon to add these ‘tears of the Buddha’ to hot water for drinking. Later we’ll see warehouses where the fermented pickled leaves are sorted and packed for Myanmar’s iconic snack, tea-leaf salad.

Coming into Pindaya, our car pulls up at the ticket US$2 entry fee gives us access to this small town that is sited beside Pone Ta Lote lake, and centered around market cycle, Pindaya is bustling, and leading up to the full moon of March, when centuries-old banyan trees will host one of the largest festivals of culture and commerce in Shan state. Pindaya is 1200m above sea level, making its climate typical of the Shan plateau, with chilly nights during winter.

If the expansive rural scenery and sense of spaciousness on a hazy, windy travelling way to Pindaya hasn’t transported you to another place, there is a spelocation is deep inside the earth, through a narrow enter. The good news is that only a fraction of the foreigners crowding Inle Lake, or the hiking hill station of Kalaw, make it to Pindaya, and most do it as a day trip from Nyuangshwe, or as a stop over between Kalaw, Inle lake and Mandalay. Pindaya’s Shwe oo Min caves are the main drawcard in the area, not only as a tourist attraction, but also as an important pilgrimage site for the region’s Buddhists. Either way, the journey and the destination make it worthwhile, whether you prefer the vibrant colours of prime agricultural land or if you just like the palate reduced to the black, greys, whites and gold of the caves.

Visitors often enjoy the coolness of the Golden Cave, fear of large spiders, take care. The huge connected caverns, packed with gilded Buddhas, have secret meditation chambers with small passageways that are not suitable for the claustrophobic or the obese.

You don’t have to be Buddhist to enjoy the cave experience, but you will learn something about Burmese Buddhism and there’s a good chance you’ll meet and interact with locals.

The Shwe oo Min caves are no ordinary karst system, and the extensive network of chambers and caverns have been tarted up Myanmar-style. Burrowed into the hills above the town, a mile or so from the main market, the cave pagoda (6am-6pm, daily, US$3 entry, 300Ks camera fee) is home to around 10,000 Buddha statues. The largest spider you have ever seen in your life stands guard at the entrance to the caves, but there are walkarounds to prevent arachnophobia from hindering your enjoyment.

You can walk to the Shwe oo Min caves along a century carved teak-panelled, Hsin Khaung Taung Kyang monastery, with its distinctive Shan-style tiered roofs and bamboo and bronze Buddhas inside.

Photo by Christopher Michel

Just beyond the monastery is a path lined with crumbling stupas with a series of covered stairways leading up the hillside (and by-passing the large spider).

You can also take a horse cart (2,000Ks) from the market that will take you to the lower pagoda entrance where the white stupa of Nget Pyaw Taw marks the start of the ascent, or a motorbike taxi will ferry you to the upper gateway (2,500k one way). Almost everyone regardless of how they have arrived, share There is a large recently-built glitzy pagoda at the entrance to the largest cave, the southern cave, constructed after explosives were used to enlarge the cave entrance in 1925. Interestingly, the renovations were funded by the local community, including donations

by Hindus, Chinese and Muslims. Beyond the ornate temple, the main attraction in the huge cavern is not so much the natural cave system but what has been added. In every available horizontal surface and even secured to niches on the cave walls, are Buddhas, most of them gilded, some of them kept warm with a blanket in the cool atmosphere of the cave. There are nearly 10,000 statues, with some dating to the late 18th century. It is not known for sure when the caves were turned into a Buddha repository, with the earliest inscription dated 1773, but over the last two and a half centuries, lay people, religious, and rulers have added images.

The cave holds around seventy images made in the late 18th century Bhisakkaguru tradition from the Mahayana school of Buddhism, and these statues with quite unique facial features are only found here, suggesting Pindaya was once an enclave for a Mahayana cult differing from the dominant Theravada Buddhism. The image hands are a give-away. Look for a seed in the upturned right palm; new images are added by pilgrims and generous donors. A distinctive pair of dark ‘perspiring’ Buddha images are said to grant wishes, while near the end of the cave pilgrims collect evil-repelling black clay.

Visitors often enjoy the coolness of the Golden Cave, though if you have a fear of large spiders, take care.

At the back of the main cavern, away from the glare of the lights, look for the small entrance and passage leading to one of the cave’s meditation chambers. If trapped in small spaces, clamber on through and there you can sit quietly, usually in solitude, for a few minutes of peace. There are many tall tales that are associated with the caves. The main southern cave was surveyed in 1989 and is reckoned to be around 200m long, though local legend maintains that at the end of the cave a blocked-off passage leads all the way to Bagan. That would be a long walk in the dark.

There’s a back road to Pindaya via Heho’s cattle market to Inle Lake’s Nyaungshwe, some 89 km away, offering new vistas and photo ops. There are no good public transport options for Pindaya, as buses from Taunggyi and Aungban require an overnight stay, but motorbike taxis from Aungban can do the area as a day trip, including the mulberry paper and umbrella-making workshops at the base of the caves stairs.

The Pindaya Inle Resort is the top option for accommodation, with the Green Tea restaurant beside the lake offering the best selection of local food.

Beside the carpark small shops provide free samples of tasty local delicacies and snacks, including Shan tea, tea-leaf salad, rice crackers, sour plums and ants.

14 iMPressioNs

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

The burmeSe SherloCK holmeS Bob Percival takes us on a walk with detective San Shar, and his creator, Shwe U-Daung, through the mean streets of 1930’s Rangoon.

Strange Earth Ogre, as Thein Maung had later called it. San Shar thought his friend a man of Buddhist pragmatism. He had once told him, ‘the natural rule of this world is that it eventually ends with loss, no matter how successful one may become. No matend up with nothing’. For Thein Maung, everything was open to change, but he was someone who could be trusted, and utter reliable in the most extreme of circumstances, a person grounded in the everyday, and a character very different from San Shar’s for sure.

San Shar knew himself to be unpredictable, prone

along Merchant Street. The British police had only recently brought the anti-Indian riots of last two months under control Shwe U-Daung bemoaned to his friend that it was the European Sergeants themselves that had helped fan the seeds of discontent at the initial outset, by striking heavy blows to the phongyis, with their heavy bamboo lathi sticks, bound with iron, These were the phongyis who were trying their best to calm down the angry mob. Now, over seventy people had been killed and over four hundred injured.

behaviour. He could not resist the nature of this world.

He liked dealing with celebrities and high-ranking as the Thai royal family and Indian maharajas; but he was also capable of willingly falling into the claws of villains. He knew that one day this might cost him his life.

Cover of 'the Memoirs and records of shwe U-Daung'.

R

ANGOON, Burma, September 1938 — San Shar stepped out of his residence in 40th Street, aligned his Burmese turban, and retied his silk longyi. He glimpsed up at the wooden spire of the Armenian Church of St John the Baptist, then headed west down Merchant Street towards Fytche Square. He would meet Thein Maung in the centre of the square’s park, at the low wrought-iron railing fence that enclosed the white marble statue of Queen Victoria. It was a joke they shared. They had a mutual disdain for the British. San Shar saw himself as a servant of the Burmese people, not of the British Government. The statue was a donation of the ever-diplomatic Armenians. It was now covered with pigeon dung. Nobody bothered to clean it anymore.

San Shar had met Thein Maung at Rangoon General Hospital. He was working in the laboratory, when San Shar had carried out some forensic tests, when

Shwe U-Daung walked by the A. Scott & Co. Building in Merchant Street; run by Scotsmen, he thought.

He didn’t really have much time for the Scots, but he admired their whiskey and bought his Aerated Waters there, to make his soda. Next door, were the booksellers Miles Standish; only English books of course.

What he believed this country needed was a Burmese organisation to encourage local writers and literature; to translate the best of world literature into Burmese for the everyday reader to enjoy. His favourite pastime was sitting on the veranda of his downtown unit, smoking his cheroot, and reading James Hla Kyaw’s original Burmese translation of Alexandre Dumas’s The Count of Monte Cristo. He himself had just The Hound of Baskervilles; he’d titled it, Baskerville Hkwaygyi. He was enjoying most, translating the Sherlock Holmes stories, using a local setting. San Shar had become the famous Burmese detective.

Shwe U-Daung crossed Phayre Road, into the shade of the Oriental Life Assurance Building. There, he ran into Mr S.B. Cahkravarti, an Advocate of the around the corner, in No. 69. The building was heavily guarded, as were all the banks that he had passed

rangoon harbour, 1930s

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

iMPressioNs 15 Mr Cahkravarti reminded Shwe U-Daung, that even though their had been a book published by a Burmese Moslem, two years earlier, disrespectfully attacking Gautama, it was his very own Burmese Press that had stirred up the passions of the his fellow Buddhists. It was a very sad state of affairs, despaired Mr Cahkravarti. Shwe U-Daung could only agree. He counted many Burmese Indians among his friends, and even though a strong nationalist, he sympathised with their plight. His Buddhism gave him strong sense of what he supposed justice to be.

San Shar walked into Fytche Square through the impressive wrought iron gates that bore the letters RC, Rangoon Council. He passed by the elegant iron-laced bandstand rostrum donated by his close friend, Mr Solomon, a Baghdadi Jew, and strode up to meet his colleague, Thein Maung. He looked his collegue up and down and deduced that he had been visiting the rice mills down by Paunzadaung Creek.

He could also tell by close inspection, that he had eaten a hurried breakfast of toast and egg, and recently come into some easy money. He didn’t bother mentioning these facts to his friend, as he knew

it would only annoy him. They knew each other too well.

There were to work on a new case; a chemistry professor at Rangoon University, a Professor Tun Pe, had been dismissed for misconduct and there were fears that he was planning some kind of retribution for the disgrace he had suffered. San Sar would need to travel north to Shan State. Thein Maung listened attentively to San Sar’s lengthy exposition on the needed investigation, then warned San Shar to be very careful, that he had heard about this Professor Tun Pe, and he was considered to be a man of masterful mind, completely lacking in scruples. San Shar nodded his head, tipped his gaung baung and languidly lit up a cheroot. An interesting challenge, he thought to himself. ‘To the La Mansion Continental Café’, he proffered to Thein Maung, ‘Let’s have tea and pastry!’.

Shwe U-Daung (1889-1973) was a prolific Burmese writer and translator, who in the 1930s adapted many of the original Sherlock Holes stories, placing them in the setting of the author’s Rangoon, in a time of nationalist fervour, high crime rate and social unrest.

Translations in the above text are from Yuri Takahashi’s brilliant study, ‘The Case-Book of Mr San Shar: Burmese Society and Nationalist Thought in the 1930s As Seen In The Burmese Sherlock Holmes Stories’ (2008).

Next month, InDepth ment of Htuzandhaw Luthathmu (A Strange Murder Case), Shwe U-Daung's adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes' story, 'The Crooked Man'. This will be the will have been translated into English.

16 ADveNtUre

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

The NeW WeST: a Wild moTorbiKe TriP ThrouGh The baCKroadS oF ChiN CouNTrY

By GriffiN hotChKiss

tantlang city, about the same size as falam

I

the ever-accumulating layers of dust that blow in from the street through cracks in the bedroom wall, or how on Sunday the whole town is at church and one can walk down the main street without seeing a soul or an open door, but living in Falam in Chin state, has the vibe of a pioneer village in the Old West.

In the morning, I'm usually woken up by roosters crowing, followed by the rumbling of motorbikes and trucks getting an early start towards Kalay or Hakha, the two larger cities to the north and south. In the evenings after sunset, we drink Chin wine (or whiskey) and play chess by candlelight.

Chin state is the least developed state in Myanmar, partly due to the fact that there aren't a lot of valuable natural resources. The upshot is that because of this

to other places in Myanmar. Chin suffers acutely from the phenomenon of 'brain drain'; educated and capable people from Chin state often choose to leave.

Chins have a robust network internationally, particularly in the American cities of Dallas and Indiana, and when they do leave they take all their human capital with them. One of the missions of my school is to help young people in Chin state become leaders who will engage with their communities and work towards local development. To that end, I've been living in Falam, teaching computer skills, social sciences, and English. The cities in Chin state are very isolated by its mountains. There is no airport, and even thecapital, Hakha, is 6-8 hours away from the nearest trading hub. Everything from lumber to colour-printed newspapers must be brought on trucks or buses from

Kalay and further, on a single lane road that twists and climbs up to 6000 feet, back down to 900 feet, then back up again. It's a great place to own a motorcycle.

Idling through a small mountain town, meeting the curious gaze of a passerby with a nod and a tip of the helmet, I feel like an anachronistic cowboy.

Southern Chin people were underrepresented in our class last year, so my co-worker Mary and I planned a trip to visit the cities of Mindat and Matupi to look for new capable and motivated students. By the end of the trip we would ridden about a thousand miles over dirt and rocks, crashed twice, and had a run-in with the local lawman.

My bike is an Indian-made Yamaha FZ-S. Unlike your run-of-the-mill 125cc motorbike, it's got a

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

ADveNtUre 17 box-sized boulders pressed down to await further construction. At the highest and coldest point there was a rest stop where I had a small glass of whiskey (200Ks worth) to calm my nerves and warm me up as the sun started to descend. Similar to the road to Falam, we had to go all the way down to a river valley before climbing back up again to Matupi, which sits atop a mountain on the western side of the river. We arrived at 8.00pm, checked into the only guesthouse, and made contact with Mary's friends, whom she had met while living in Matupi for a month on a church exchange program.

The next morning before we were set to give a presentation, we ran into some trouble. The guesthouse owner returned my passport, but meekly asked for my letter from Naypyidaw. My confused response was to show him my visa, but he stated that to travel to Matupi, one needs special permission from the government. It seemed the best approach would be to meet this head on, so I followed him to the uptight uniform, and was a little relieved to meet a stout man with a betel-stained tanktop and longyi,

higher and more aggressive frame, a clutch, and a little more power with its 153cc engine. The roads in Chin state vary between exquisitely paved and completely destroyed rubble; the FZ is stable enough suited to asphalt. We set out early in the afternoon from Falam towards Hakha; our destination for the evening was a small village about 18 miles outside of the capital, where two of our current students were posted to teach English as part of their 'service learning' term. We arrived in Hakha at sunset, giving us just enough time to eat dinner and inquire about the road to the village. With lights on under the stars, we rode down the valley on a dirt road punctuatfew times my back wheel slipped out and caused a momentary panic while I corrected for the slide. As the road changed from two-track to one, we climbed up over loose stones and back down again toward the village, arriving at around 9.00pm. Hospitality in Chin state is humbling; our hosts had prepared bedding (I was given four blankets), and that evening they killed and cleaned a chicken for our breakfast. Our two students had been living in the village for about a month already, and we were pleased to hear nothing but praise for their efforts. Having accomplished our check-in, we set out after breakfast for Hakha to resupply and start the long ride to southern Chin.

Mindat, the largest city in southern Chin state and close to the famous Mt. Victoria, is not accessible directly from Hakha. Instead, you have to ride out along the Hakha road to the foothills and hub city of Gantgaw, continue south through the small cities of Kyaukhtu and Tilin, then back up into the mountains.

"We have to meet our youth centre friend at nine, naw?" My co-worker hadn't told me we had an appointment time. Mary's plan was to get to Mindat by the evening and stay the night. "It's only like 13 hours, so if we left at nine today we should get there by 10."

Chin state is the least developed state in Myanmar, partly due to the fact that there aren't a lot of valuable natural resources.

as Kyaukhtu or Tilin, stay the night, then make a push for Mindat early in the morning. Driving all day, we arrived in Gantgaw at sunset for dinner and inquired about the road to Kyaukthu. Google maps shows nothing between Gantgaw and Tilin. A friendly guesthouse that we could stay at Kyaukhtu, and that the road to Tilin was under construction but drivable.

Exhausted but highly motivated, we pushed on over At this point, it was about 11.00pm and everything was closed and dark. Our only option was to drive another hour and a half up to Mindat, where we would pletely exhausted, found a guesthouse, and turned in.

The next morning, we met with our contact at the youth centre and then another at a church to explain our program, and implore them to pass the information and scholarship application on to any prospective students. Unphased by our previous day, Mary was intent on making it to Matupi that evening, so we scarcely had time for lunch before we needed to get on the road to drive another 100 miles west.

Along the road to Matupi the landscape changed from thick green forest to a more barren golden hue, peppered by large and strange looking rhododendron up to wide plateaus of packed dirt before contracting and climbing over passes that were nothing but bread-

nothing he could do; with no letter of permission, we had to leave immediately. The government, it seems, still keeps tight control over certain areas in Chin state, even though it has been technically open to foreigners since early 2013.

I did not want to drive another 8 hours back to Mindat that day, but strictly speaking we would be directly defying the orders of immigration if we stayed the night, and risked being arrested the next morning by A brave individual who I will not describe took pity on us, and offered to take us in. Just 5 minutes after we entered the house, police stopped to ask him if the bike in front belonged to a foreigner who was supposed to have left in the morning. He calmly said that no, it was a friend's, and they moved on. He then took my tank with octane. We awoke at 4.30am the next morning to leave quietly and quickly before the police resumed their posts at the edge of town. Two freezing hours later, we stopped atop a ridge to wait for the sun to rise and warm us up. In a small village a few we rested there and got something to eat. I took the opportunity to tighten and oil the chain on my bike , necessary after the punishment it had endured the last three days. After the sun rose, the drive was pleasant despite soreness from so much time in the saddle.

Behind me. We took lunch in Mindat, and continued down back the way we had come only two nights earlier.

We arrived in Gantgaw at sunset, checked into a guesthouse. Mary was taking a bus back to Falam the next morning. I envied her the opportunity to rest for the next leg of her travels, I still had a single day visa renewal in Bangkok. Early the next morning we parted ways and I began my long and dusty drive alone on the road back to Mandalay.

18 BUsiNess

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

CoNNeCTiNG

For ChaNGe Aimee Lawrence links with David Madden, founder of Phandeeyar, to discover how his recently created community tech hub is accelerating change and development in Myanmar during the country’s connectivity revolution.

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

M

BUsiNess 19

yanmar is picking up speed in the race to connect, and it is the mobile apps, tools and content that holds the power to transform and improve the lives of its 54 million people.

ent coming through. We saw that technology is a key player in being able to have a real social impact here.

It was evident the technology community here has the talent to build innovative apps and digital services that will really improve people’s lives.

Valley, HP and the New York Times, as well as Google virtual app launches, and more recently a visit from ist who has worked in the White House and is director of the Center for International Media Assistance.

becoming clearer. Phandeeyar has entered the race by creating a space for different communities to come together to spark the innovation that will drive Myanmar forward.

I pondered the idea of having a permanent space where the country’s problems could be solved regularly, where talented minds could come together to learn, teach, inspire each other and grow. The rest is history.”

Events have covered topics ranging from the importance of design, how to create engaging digital content, empowering rural population and women with technology, how ‘design thinking’ can solve complex problems in relation to the design of new products and cybersecurity.

David, a Harvard University graduate from Australia, spent twelve years in America during which time he honed his skills as a natural entrepreneur. His previous ventures included co-founding two highly successful online social ventures, and serving in senior management roles at several leading New York technology companies.

His wealth of experience put him in a strong position to seize a unique opportunity of growth for Myanmar and its people.

“This is an exciting moment for Myanmar,” explained David, founder of Phandeeyar. “Myanmar had one of the lowest mobile and Internet penetration rates in the world. But, the technology landscape is changing fast and becoming more widely accessible, meaning Myanmar could potentially steam ahead of other country’s development paths.

Located in the heart of downtown Yangon, overlooking Mahabandoola Gardens, it offers over 6000 square space or used for others to come in and host events, workshops, seminars and meet-ups.

In the space of just three months, Phandeeyar has welcomed training workshops with experts from Silicon

This level of quick success for Phandeeyar can in part be attributed to Phandeeyar’s supporters, comprised of Internews, Silicon Valley founded company Baydin, Omidyar Network, Open Society Foundations and Schmidt Family Foundation.

Supporters aside, David is humble in respect to Phandeeyar’s success, and quick to attribute it to his staff - a dedicated, talented team of seven – a team which they are looking to expand.

Of the creatives behind Phandeeyar, I was also lucky to meet Aung Kham Kyaw, a graduate and avid teacher of all things digital. The 23-year-old Program Manager specialises in launching startups, and is his own personal blog boasting a monthly readership of 30,000.

“To really close the gap with developed nations, we need to help build working relationships between the tech community and civil society groups, social businesses, independent media and others to build the tools, platforms and content.

This is what will make the difference and accelerate change and development in this country.”

“I’m really blessed to have Aung Kham Kyaw in the team. His enthusiasm and drive is infectious. He has a massive online audience not just in his own blog but also YoYarLay, which has a Facebook outreach of 3.3million. He’s in a position to be able to speak to millions who can either become a part of this connectivity revolution or be helped through his ideas.

The inspiration for Phandeeyar can be found in Code for Change Myanmar, an initiative of which David is also a founder. It is designed to help the technology community in Myanmar use their skills to help tackle some of the country’s pressing problems.

Excitingly we’re looking to expand our team with various positions on offer. I’m excited to meet others and welcome them to the team. Let’s see how we can continue pushing this collective goal ahead and make a difference to Myanmar’s nation of 54 million,” says David.

Code for Change Myanmar held the which saw talented young technology experts from across Myanmar solving technology problems submitted by small to medium businesses. The problems ranged from how to help women manage birth spacing, to how to make it easier for farmers to optimize irrigation. Both events were phenomenally successful; judges were astounded and inspired by the talent of Myanmar’s tech community. and an idea was born.

“The hackathons were a real joy to orga-

To really close the gap with developed nations, we need to help build working relationships between the tech community and civil society groups, social businesses, independent media and others to build the tools, platforms and content.

Myanmar has been described as a technology backwater when it comes to wireless telecommunications services. However, the water is steadily becoming less murky and stagnant, with strong tides of innovation surging to connect Myanmar with itself and the rest of the world.

Phandeeyar: Myanmar Innovation Lab 11th Floor of MAC Tower, 561, Merchant Road, Merchant Rd, Yangon, Myanmar

20 Chef’s Profile

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

GiviNG YouNG PeoPle a FuTure Mimi Wu sits down with Chef Davy Eek to talk about his culinary journey, from the Philippines and Holland, all the way to the kitchens of Myanmar.

I

have had the privilege of tasting Chef Davy Eek’s food at both Le Planteur and Shwe Sa Bwe and have always been delighted. Despite having dined at one of Asia’s top 25 restaurants in early March, it is Chef Davy’s Valentine’s Day chocolate chip ice cream, which still lingers in my mind. When I applauded his skill, he quickly corrected me, “It isn’t just me, it is a team. It’s always about who you work with. If you have great people to work with, you come up with great results.”

That’s how Chef Davy is, extremely humble, and uncomfortable being in the spotlight. It was quite difprefers talking about his colleagues and mentors. He grew up in Holland and the Philippines with origins from both countries. Food was always in the picture.

“My mom was a cook in the Philippines. She owned a canteen-type place with local food. I’ve always liked cooking; it was a hobby of mine.”

Chef Davy didn’t take his interest further than his own kitchen, choosing instead to teach English in Taiwan.

It was not until a serious accident that left him hospitalised for three months that he put his life into focus.

He returned to the Philippines to become a chef.

I don’t know if I’m responsible enough.’ He’s like, ‘Well, do you want the job or not?’”

“Everything changed when I came to Myanmar. Before being here, I had no direction; I wasn’t sure what I was doing. I was really lucky to meet Mr. Hoogewegen because this guy taught me about hospitality. He was a big part of what I needed to learn to be part of this industry.”

Mr. Hoogewegen settled Chef Davy down at the Pristine Lotus Spa Resort in Inle Lake, a prime location to learn the trade. Of course, it didn’t come without communicate with the people. But at the same time, it was a fun challenge and a really great experience, and I learned a lot.”

While studying at culinary school, he met Mr. Edward Hoogewegen, who would become an important mentor and Chef Davy’s ticket to Myanmar. “Mr. Hoogewegen came up to me, and said ‘Do you want to work in Myanmar?’ I replied, ‘OK.’ I didn’t hear from the guy for six months. I graduated from school and thought, what am I going to do? I was thinking that

After two years at the resort, Chef Davy was offered a position with Chef Felix Eppisser and his wife Lucia ing. He has now taken those skills to Shwe Sa Bwe, whose kitchen he has made home for the last eight months.

there. I was already in Holland, and then I went to the Philippines again, and then I get a phone call, ‘Hey, I have your contract ready.’ I was signing up to be Chef de Partie (third chef in the kitchen), but he said, ‘You’re a sous chef unfortunately (second chef in the kitchen).’ I said, ‘I don’t know if I’m ready for that.

“I thought it was time for a change. What really attracted me was the concept of helping unprivileged young people in Myanmar to give them a future. I’m proud to be a part of Shwe Sa Bwe. It’s a very special atmosphere.”

As head chef, Chef Davy ensures that the kitchen is

cial accounting. In addition, Shwe Sa Bwe boasts an 11-month training program that he oversees, “which is the fun part because it’s great to work with students that are motivated to learn. Every two weeks we change the dinner menu, and the students learn those menus. Then, every Sunday we have a class where we talk about the menu, how to prepare it. It’s not a one-man effort, it’s really a team effort. Everyone challenge.”

“I’m very happy where I am right now, and I go wherever I am happy. Shwe Sa Bwe has a very special atmosphere. We work here more with our hearts rather than our minds.”

As the French restaurant’s lunch and dinner menus change frequently, his kitchen’s creativity has soared.

“I’ve been privileged by my boss, Francois Stoupan.

He’s given me freedom of the kitchen to try whatever I want, to do whatever I want. As long as it tastes good, he’s happy. We just did an anchovy ice cream for a de-

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

Chef’s Profile 21

constructed Niçoise salad. Anchovies we turned into ice cream, the French beans we turned into a tartare, and black olives we made as a mousse.”

Chef Davy is also taking an interest in molecular gastronomy. “I just or“I’ve always read about it but never tried it.”

Inspired by great culinary artists like the Roca brothers, David Chang, and René Redzepi, Chef Davy is constantly expanding his own skills and studying what separates certain chefs from the rest. One obvious trait I noticed is his lack of ego. “It’s more about who you work with, not who you are. A lot of people get this conception that a 3-star chef in Myanmar will make the best restaurant. How you adjust yourself to the people and give respect to your staff, that’s what makes a successful restaurant.”

Chef Davy has a long future ahead of him, and there is still much he wants to achieve. “I don’t have my own restaurant yet. But honestly, I don’t know if I want to do that. I see the stress and pressure; I can only imagine what it’d be like to be a restaurant manager. What I really want to do is have the street food in whatever country I’m in and serve it in a He seems to want to leave his future to where the wind takes him, but I hope the winds won’t stir for some time. Luckily for Yangon diners he is content for the moment to stay in Myanmar, “I’m very happy where I am right now, and I go wherever I am happy. Shwe Sa Bwe has a very special atmosphere. We work here more with our hearts rather than our minds.”

In a parting humble gesture, Chef Davy honored me with an invitation to teach his students a dish or two. I know he was merely being polite, but how could I possibly resist the opportunity to work in his kitchen and

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MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

22 iN foCUs From hiSToriCal To CoNTemPorarY:

a NeW PhoToGraPhY SPaCe ComiNG uP

By BorBÁlA KÁlMÁN

P

hotography arrived relatively soon to Myanmar. Already by the 1850s travellers and war photographers had used the medium to capture un unseen world, astounded by the beauty of Burma’s was opened by Philip Klier in the late 1870s in Mawlamyine, two decades later the acclaimed photographer Felice Beato did so in Mandalay. They were not the only ones around, Yangon counting numerous Japanese and Indian photo studios next to the Burmese ones. This fascinating history of photography’s evolution in former Burma is hardly visible nowadays.

The medium is still far too much under-represented, however great initiatives have been recently started.

Myanmar Deitta in Yangon focuses on documentary photography, the Yangon Photo Festival has embraced since 2009 the upcoming talents, an the Myanmar Photographic Society organised this year its second big annual exhibition. Studying photography is possible through workshops and a mutual sharing of knowledge. Talent has grown from the Yangon Film School and other associations. Step by step, photography is gaining strong attention from a number of directions.

exhibitions, but most of all, the space will make visible the historical side of Myanmar’s photography.

Rare shots, more than a century old, outstanding historical moments, and vintage prints of everyday scenes, will come to the light in Bo Galay Zay Street, beside the sadly empty Secretariat building.

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archive photos, will later be divided in two, with a contemporary part in the front and an historical section at the rear. As photography hardly ever existed without frames, Pansuriya will provide framing services, also reusing old frames.

A new centre for photography is about to come to life, where old silver prints and contemporary art photog-

the 1990s. Smaller categories such as, cityscapes, A new photography space is opening during the last week of March in the heart of Yangon`s downtown.

Pansuriya, a new project of Pansodan Gallery will not only dedicate its space to contemporary photo

group photos, will invade the walls of the easily welcome a long series of exhibitions, each focusing

The rooF

Roof feel like a happening nighttime spot. Most of the terrace is covered, so it will be a nice outdoor venue, even when rainy season starts.

By ZArA DANG

RECOMMENDATION The cocktails are certainly the highlight at The Roof. We started with the refreshing Roof Collins Fizz. This gin-based drink maintains the bubbly citrus concept of its namesake, but also incorporates a delightful ginger zing topped with a strawberry 'caviar'.

a SWeeT SCieNCe WHAT IT IS The Roof brings the craft of molecular mixology to Yangon. According to their founder, these cocktails are not just mixed beverages, but a form of edible art that incorporates new textures not commonly found in beverages, such as foam, smoke, bubbles, caviar, and mist. These special techniques take a long time to prepare, so they are made in small batches and only a limited number of each are available per day.

ATMOSPHERE The large terrace has an industrial-loft feeling with a metal structure and sleek black furniture. The decor paired with their upbeat club music makes The

Pansuriya Photography Space (Opening soon) No 100, Bo Galay Zay Street, Botahtaung, Yangon

The Cocktail in the Sphere wins for the most unique presentation. The electric blue beverage is served in a frozen sphere of ice which you crack open yourtunately, the taste was much too sweet which made If you’re lucky enough to arrive before they sell out, I recommend trying the bubble shooters. Served in a tray of 6, each bubble is like experiencing an espresso martini and mojito, there’s something on the plate for everyone. We’re told these bubbles

take quite a bit of work to prepare, so they only make 10 trays each day.

While the cocktails steal the show, The Roof also offers food to balance out the booze. For the very hungry, The Roof Steak, served with mashed potatoes, buttered vegetables and a hearty gravy, munching on something light while exploring the cocktails, then try the Beer Beef Tacos. The four creamy guacamole and a dusting of grated cheese (friendly tip: add the capsicum garnish to the top of each taco for an added crunch).

FINAL THOUGHTS If you’re tired of the same old G&Ts and lukewarm lagers, I recommend checking out the molecular mixology at The Roof. You’ll be sure to experience something new; and it’s one of the few places to catch a breeze on these scorching hot evenings. If you’re not a fan of sweet cocktails, ask your server for a recommendation as a lot of the drinks are sugar-heavy.

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

iN foCUs 23

irraWaddY PiZZa Co

iTaliaN TaSTeS iN ThaNlYiN

By MAX tooMey WHAT IT IS Suave and sophisticated, the Irrawaddy Pizza Company aims to bring another level to the ever-increasing number of Italian restaurants in town. With a pizza oven that joins the high-tech to the traditional and a chef that clearly loves Italian food it’s pretty hard to ing relaxed.

ATMOSPHERE The soft lighting of trendy round lamps, the Italian cars on the wall and the soft music make walking into the Irrawaddy Pizza company like walking out of Myanmar. When it comes to seating you have the choice of sleek, low chairs imported straight out of larger groups.

RECOMMENDATION The bruschetta, decorated with drizzled balsamic, ripped basil and shavings of parmesan, was seasoned with just the right amount of garlic, although the bread

could have been a little crispier.

The caprese salad, made with locally sourced, homemade mozzarella was equally well presented and

LAST THOUGHTS mozzarella in Myanmar. décor and excellent food there was very little one The wonderfully crispy pizza goes down very nicely with a glass of the reasonably priced house white.

With quite a few pizza places in town the addition of grape to the chorizo pizza was commendably different. The chorizo itself was marvellous: peppery and just a little spicy it could have easily been eaten on its own.

It’s with the pasta, however, that this place really came into its own. The gnocchi in a pesto sauce was truly excellent. The sauce was rich and creamy, the texture of the lightly pan fried gnocchi was close to perfect.

No matter how full you are the promise of homemade tiramisu and panna cotta tends to spur you on. The

la TaverNa mediTerraNeaN biSTro

By ZArA DANG WHAT IT IS gle city, but thankfully, the La Taverna has arrived to save the day! A refreshing new addition to the Yangon spices of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, the dishes are prepared with copious amounts of fresh vegetables and herbs, using only minimal amounts of oils.

ATMOSPHERE La Taverna transports you to a serene Mediterranean island. The white walls with exposed brick keep things cool, while the Moroccan lanterns add a romantic ambience. There is also a lounge area with sofas and low tables if you’re just stopping in for a few drinks and some mezze. In dry months the wrap-around patio offers outdoor seating, perfect for a date night (friendly tip: try to get a table on the side of the building away from the street).

generously sized tiramisu was both intimidating and delicious, the panna cotta had a wonderful jiggle and an unexpected but very welcome hint of basil.

RECOMMENDATIONS The extensive menu certainly offers something for everyone, including an all-day breakfast options. Appetizer highlights includes a creamy Hummus topped with chopped, grilled Shawarma (perfect to dip freshbouleh Salad that was pleasantly light on the grains and heavy on the veggies.

Moussaka was lovely and surprisingly light, with delicate layers of eggplant, potato and lamb topped by a dab of béchamel sauce. The most elegantly presented dish was a seasonal special of asparagus wrapped in beef with peppercorn sauce. The tender spears were cooked perfectly with a slight crunch.

The founder’s wife is a vegan, so vegetarian dishes are not just an obligatory afterthought. The Dolmas

‘waiter too attentive’ in your notes that you’re really having to search for problems. in might be like walking out of Myanmar, driving there feels a lot like driving out of Yangon. If you’re in the neighbourhood, live in Star City or are there to make use of the pitch then you’ve got an excellent spot to drop in on.

Star City, Building A5, Kyaii Khauk Pagoda Rd, Thanlyin Township | Tel: 05623150 Opens daily: 11am – 3pm & 5pm – 11pm

are juicy and delicious with tender grape leaves, specially imported. The Stuffed Bell Pepper is so hearty that I would be willing to bet even a meat-eater can be If at all possible, save a little room for dessert. You’ll be rewarded when you taste the Chocolate Crumble Cake. Don’t let the name deceive you, it has a moist chocolate cake base with a creamy pudding layer, all of which is draped in another decadent chocolate coating. This delicacy is an Israeli specialty and not found anywhere else in Yangon (in fact, we dare you LAST THOUGHTS La Taverna has brought the Mediterranean to us. The food preparation, the ingredients and the atmosphere re-creates the experience of sitting in a small cafe on the sea.

La Taverna Mediterranean Bistro Yangon International Hotel 330, Ahlone rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon Tel : 09 42113 9027 Opens Daily 9am to 10.30pm

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

24 heAlth The uSeFulNeSS oF

PeNNYWorT leaF By tetKAtho soe Moe NAiNG

H

ealth is crucial for each and every person’s

will to its fullest. Lifestyles, eating habits and daily behaviour affect our health. Good attitude ment. In Myanmar, these essential elements for our health are Destiny (Kan), Mind (Seit), Season (Oo Thu), and Nutrition (Ah Har Ra).

Boost your memory by consuming pennywort leaf Taking 24.43 g of fresh pennywort leaf daily with honey can help boost your memory.

Pennywort leaf energizer Boil a mixture of: Pure milk Pennywort Leaf pure juice Water

Pennywort Leaf powder Pepper Honey 24.43 g 24.43 g 97.98 g

Nutrition is essential for our survival. Pennywort leaf consumed as salad has a very good impact on health. It

Once the water has vaporised and only the oil is left,

parts accord to the following order of importance;

energiser.

1. Root 2. Stem 3. Leaf

Effectiveness and usefulness of pennywort leaf ] Grinding Pennywort leaf and natural ginger juice soothes sore eyes ] Taking juice received of blended pennywort leaf and Piper Longum Linn Dried Catkins (Peik Chin Fruit) prevents menstruation disorder ] Wearing pennywort leaf cures acne ] Putting on pounded pennywort leaf and turmeric powder cures wounds.

It has the ability of softening and moisturizing our skin and, keeping us young. According to Burmese medicine books, drinking blended juice of pennywort good health.

Photo by Shihchuan

Types of intakes passed down by the elders Stir a mixture of: 163 g 32.66 g 195.96 g

Mix with a knife until thick, and shape into size of normal tablets. Take two in the morning, two in the afternoon, and two at night. This will help you stay healthy. You will experience no side effects. If you feel your body needs more you can safely increase intake. This mixture of pennywort leaf is good for curing: ] ] ] ]

Blood related issues Skin problems Chronic diseases and fatigue. In short, Pennywort Leaf is not only a vegetable but also a supplement.

26 horosCoPe

mYaNmar

horoSCoPe Tetkatho Soe Moe Naing has a Science Degree Major in Mathematics from Yangon University. Currently, he is writing articles and horoscopes for monthly magazines and weekly journals in Myanmar.

Astrologer, philosopher, traditional medicine practitioner and author Tetkatho Soe Moe Naing looks to the celestial bodies to predict what lies ahead in arch, this month focusing on love and business.

In Myanmar astrology, star signs are determined by which day you were born. Each sign represents its own day, cardinal direction (utmost importance), planet (celestial body) and animal.

SuNdaY

valuable time During this month, you don't waste valuable time. Don't neglect your health. You may be so keyed up by achievements made this month and so keen on worldly progress that you tend to exhaust your nervous energies, and to neglect your digestion.

Love – You will choose rightful lover. Your lover will be a kind-hearted person. You will really love your innocent lover more than everything in the world.

Business – You will concentrate on business trade. A great deal could be done before the end of the month to establish prosperity during the next year or two.

But controversy will accompany any step made, particularly after the 10th of the month.

Lucky numbers – 2.5.8.0 Lucky colour – Green.

moNdaY Anxiety time

bring some anxiety about a dependant or close relative.

Better not take risks that could affect your own health about this time. Valuable time may be lost if you are over-energetic, or over-daring

Love – You will express true love. You will sing merry songs with your lover. You will possess beautiful lover.

Business – There is a chance of gains through new investments. Don't waste time in speculation this month. You might have a little ‘luck’ in the beginning but you will lose more than you gained by the end of the month. You will carry out a vital project.

Lucky numbers – 1.4.7.2 Lucky colours – Khaki & yellow.

TueSdaY

invention time You can help close relative.

You will get faithful friend and servant. You can get new idea. Everybody will be surprised by your invention. You will travel on short trip. You will go to performance show for pleasure.

Love –You will delight in your love affair. You will be a happy good-natured lover. Your love story is simple.

You will take good care of your lover.

Business – You will travel in the hope of making money. But toil as you might you can not save anything.

Lucky numbers – 3.6.9.0 Lucky colours – Red & black.

MYANMORE InDepth Magazine / April 2015

ThurSdaY

Prepare time You will prepare for your future time. You will hide a secret personal problem.

You will hear expected news. You will take good care of your health. You will exhaust easily. You should take exercise.

Love – You will arrange your marriage plan. Beginning of this month you will be sad because of lover.

But at the end of the month you will be happy.

Business – You will take risk in new business projects. You will have a heavy heart. You will be astonin business conversation.

Lucky numbers – 2.5.7 Lucky colour – Pink & red.

FridaY

splendid time You will have interest in music and dancing. You will study in countries abroad. You can get a piece of advice from friend. You will proud of your family member's success. You will possess a splendid car.

Love – You will propose to your lover in a rush. You will have good luck in love affairs. You will travel joyfully with your lover.

Business – You have something important to sign and erty. You will carefully plot your business plans step by step.

Lucky number – 2.5.1 Lucky colour – Strawberry.

SaTurdaY WedNeSdaY

vironment because of your style and smile. You will carry out your tasks for

needs. You should pay attention to the elder person. You will be popular in your environment because of smart

fresh vegetables, bean and milk to get good health.

You will tour the countryside for pleasure.

Love – You will realise how and why you can approach your lover. You will tell your feeling to your lover. You will be fond of each other deeply.

Business – You have the sense to act suitably to the time and circumstance of a situation. You will comprehend business plots. You will successfully accomplish your tasks.

Lucky numbers – 3.6.0 Lucky colour – Deep golden.

Attention time You will hear good news.

Love – You will love bright lover. You will get precious present from your lover. Your love story is very happy and attractive.

Business –You will work hard in business affairs. You will discover new project and new market. You will delight in business improvement.

Lucky numbers – 2.5.4 Lucky colour – Purple.

Tetkatho Soe Moe Naing has practiced astrology and Burmese traditional medicine for 40 years.

Contact: 095012767

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CORRIANDER LEAF

a free coffee or tea with breakfast, a free glass of wine or beer with lunch, and 5% off on total bill all day long.

Valid everyday, for 2 people.

Valid on weekends all day long, 1 person per card

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PATRICK ROBERT THE GALLERY

MYANMORE Office 1st Floor, Annex Bld, Strand Hotel, 92 Strand Rd, Kyauktada Tsp | 01-375680 50TH STREET BAR 9/13, 50th Street, Botahtaung Township 01-397 060 Balance Fitness (Avenue 64 Hotel) 64 (G), Kyaik Wine Pagoda Road,Yangon 01 656 916

10% off total bill Valid Monday to Saturday, 1 person per card, Advance booking required.

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Monument Bookstore 150, Dhamazedi Road, Bahan Township

SEVEN FRIDAY SWISS WATCHES

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Inya Day Spa 16/2, Inya Rd, Yangon | 01537907

Free Food voucher worth 20,000 ks to be used at House of Singapura, Pepperoni and Ya Kun Cafe.

Valid everyday, on purchase of a watch.

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VESTIGE MERCANTILE & RELICS

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10% off total bill.

Valid everyday at: Vestige Flagship Store, Yangon Vestige Flagship Store, Nay Pyi Taw Vestige Kiosk, Avenue 64 Hotel.

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ACTIVITY

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HOLA Dance Club

15 minutes Free private lesson

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Padonmar Restaurant No.105/107, Kha-Yae-Bin Road, Dagon Township, Yangon Between Pyi Daung Su Yeik Tha (Halpin Road) and Manawhari Road/Ahlone Road.

Tel/Fax : +95 1 538895, +95 9 73029973, 73108606 Orchid Hotel 91, Anawrahta Road, Pazundaung Township, Yangon | 01-399930, 01-704740 Happy Footprints No.498, Thein Phyu Road, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township, Yangon 01 381862