Myanmore Magazine - No.32/ June 2019 by MYANMORE

No. 32 /June 2019 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free!

magazine

HTEIN LIN

STILL THOUGHT PROVOKING, STILL LEADING THE CONTEMPORARY MYANMORE magazine #32 June 2019

MYANMORE magazine #32 June 2019

No.32 / June 2019

magazine Managing Director Andreas Sigurdsson Junior Editor Min Ye Kyaw Cover Photo Zwe Wint Htet Photography Djavanshir Nico Khiri Travel Magnus Larsson Contributors Alec Wilmot Dr. Htun Win Lin Melissa Tan Interns Kyaw Soe Han Min Pyae Sone

Illustration Ben Hopkins Art & Production Aye Myo Htay Phyo Thu Kyaw

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On 6

Publisher MYANMORE Magazine Pyit Thiri Thaw Lychee Ventures (Myanmar) Limited Permit No. 01588

Cinema 8 The Teashop 10 Cover Story Still thought provoking, still leading the contemporary 14 Feature Common diseases in the rainy season and preventive measures 12 Ten Netflix TV shows you shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss (2019) 18 Unclogging Ghost Nets in Myanmar 22

Printer For All Printing House Permit No. 01267 Sales & Advertising sales@myanmore.com 0977 900 3701 / 3702

Travel Yenangyaung 20

Lifestyle Soi 46 26

Q&A Chef Christophe Buzare 24

Eat & Drink Port Autonomy 27 New openings 28

Rangoon Rhythm 30 Tech Talk 32

About Myanmore Myanmore is a registered brand under Lychee Ventures (Myanmar) Limited providing digital and print publishing as well as creative services. Myanmore is managing the leading online city guide www.myanmore.com and printed publications Weekly Guide, EnjoyIt, KnowIt. We also work closely with the team of DRIVE, the first and only premium car magazine in Myanmar. Recently, we have launched application Sarmal (for finding restaurant & bars in Myanmar). The mission is to provide great content and experiences for residents in Myanmar.

Disclaimer No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from Myanmore. All details are deemed correct at the time of print. The editor, employees and contributors cannot be held responsible for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may occur. www.myanmore.com www.facebook.com/myanmore www.issuu.com/myanmore Follow us on Instagram and Viber.

MYANMORE magazine #32 June 2019

What's on

Myanmar Gar Tex Expo

Nightlife

28th to 30 June

Activity

Clean Yangon Green Yangon 29th June The main project is to clean the city. Everyone in Yangon is welcome to join this volunteering activity. Let’s clean our city. The slogan is “Clean Yangon, green Yangon!! “ Fatman Bar & Grill - Corner of Bo Yar Nyunt Street and Nawaday Street, Yaw Min Gyi Region, Dagon Township, Yangon | 8 am - 9 a

Business

Tour of Yangon Secretariat Heritage Building & Member Networking 13th June Join AustCham Myanmar for a unique opportunity to tour the inside of one of Yangon’s most historic buildings. A guided tour will be given by one of The Secretariat’s knowledgeable tour guides followed by networking drinks in one of the newly restored spaces within the building. The Cost is 10,000 Kyats including refreshment. Yangon’s Secretariat Building - Thein Phyu Road, Botahtaung Township, Yangon | 4 pm - 6 pm

Myanmar Entrepreneurs Monthly Meetup 21st June For the June meetup, about 30 business owners and entrepreneurs from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand will be joined. If you would like to connect with them and share your services/products with the objective of achieving a mutual benefits and collaboration, this is a great opportunity not to be missed. The visit is organized by PLAN (Professional Leadership Association Network) to explore expanding their business into Myanmar. Signature Fine Dining & the Garden Bistro - Corner of Kaba Aye Pagoda Road & Kan Yeik Thar Street, Bahan Township, Yangon | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Plan Networking Session 22nd June Join for a networking session with established entrepreneurs from the region. Make new friends and build contacts to expand your business outside Myanmar. Pan Pacific Yangon - Corner of Shwe Dagon Pagoda Road and Bogyoke Road, Pabedan Township, Yangon | 3:30 pm - 5 pm

Myanmar Gar Tex Expo is launched to meet the needs of enterprises who want to catch the opportunities of emerging Myanmar market in Textile & Garment industry from the early stage with a population of about 60 millions. The exhibition promises great chances for business cooperation, networking, potential market entry, as well as for exchanging useful information and innovative ideas.

SKYLYNE | Episode 2

Rose Garden Hotel - 177, Upper Pansodan Road, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township, Yangon | 9 am - 5 pm

Wednesday Night Haus Party

14th June Enjoy the beautiful Yangon skyline and party and dance hard. Don’t miss out on live DJs playing your favorite tracks and party wild. Entry Price: 6000 kyats (includes one free beer). YangonYangon - Sakura Tower, No.339, Bogyoke Aung San Road, Kyauktada Township, Yangon | From 5 pm

26th June Art & Stage

Remembrance of Pulau Ketam 13th to 16th June “Remembrance of Pulau Ketam” art exhibition is not only to display the beauty of this eco-friendly island but also to inspire the environmental conservation of our country, Myanmar. Featuring Artists are Mon Thet, Maung Thiha, Tin Maung Oo, Kyaw Soe, Than Htaik Burmese, Myint Aung, Myo Kyaw, Min Yin Thant, Shwe Thein, Theingi Thaw, Khin Than Phyu. Pansuriya - No.100, Bogalayzay Street, Botahtaung Township, Yangon | 10 am - 6 pm

Exhibition

Myanmar Wedding & Beauty Expo 21st to 23rd June

Join at YangonYangon Bar on 26 June 2019 with FIREHAUS & Friends. They will be playing your favorite future-house and house hits. So don’t forget to dance to their energizing melodies. Let’s keep the party going and let’s not stop. YangonYangon - No.339,Bo Gyoke Aung San Road, Kyauktada Township, Yangon | From 8 pm

Dining

Father’s Day Celebration 16th June Belmond Governor’s Residence is making a special dinner for Father’s Day. Enjoy the Charcoal BBQ Grill and Seafood Boat. For more information and reservations, please contact 01 230 2092. Belmond Governor’s Residence - No.35, Taw Win Road, Dagon Township, Yangon | 11:30 am - 3:30 pm

The Biggest Wedding and beauty expo is coming for couples who are about to marry. There will be big sales, discounts, free trail and other performance. For more information please contact to 09 254 886 899, 0996 35 999 68. Tatmadaw Hall - U Wisara Road, Dagon Township, Yangon | 9 am - 5 pm

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Superhero Daddy’s Day Out 16th June All Dads dine FREE with every FIVE paying diners at Chatrium Hotel award winning restaurants this Father’s Day. A memorable family photo gift card for all the family and be in with a chance to win a “One Night Staycation at Chatrium” in their lucky draw. Children’s Special – Free meals for children under 5 years old and Half Price for children 5 to 12 years old. For further information, please call 01 544500. Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake - No.40, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Township, Yangon | 6:30 pm - 10 pm

Father’s Day Boutique Brunch at Savoy Hotel 16th June Happy Father’s Day to our heroes and role models around the world. A special day to show the extra care and appreciation to your lovely father, join the Father’s Day Boutique Brunch at Savoy hotel for a special fiesta for you and your hero Daddy. For more information please contact to 01 526289. Savoy Hotel Yangon - No.129, Dhammazedi Road, Kamayut Township, Yangon | 12 pm - 3 pm

Special Father’s Day Edition at Rose Garden Hotel 16th June Come and celebrate Father’s Day with Rose Garden Hotel Bavarian Father’s day Frühschoppen. Fathers that will dine-in will get discount same as their AGE. Age is just a number; use it today to get your Father’s Deal Discount. If you haven’t tried German Cuisines, then you should. You’ll definitely fall in love with it. For reservation please contact 01 371 992.

Fête de la Musique & Classical High Tea Buffet 22nd June Enjoy the soothing classical live music for three hours as Yangon Excelsior celebrates “Fête de la Musique” (French Music Day) on Saturday June 22. While entrance to the music event is free, you’re welcome to indulge in an optional sumptuous high tea buffet, featuring savouries and flavourful cups of tea, as the talented artists perform an array of wonderful tunes. Yangon Excelsior - Building No. 19/43, Bo Sun Pat Street, Pabedan Township, Yangon | 2 pm - 5 pm

Educational

Leadership Conference 2019 22nd June Leadership Conference 2019 will be the first and biggest Leadership Conference in Myanmar which will be held on 22nd and 23rd June 2019. The speaker Dr. John Maxwell is recognized as The World’s # 1 Leadership Guru and author of “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, “Developing the Leader within You” and “The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader” which is the most widely used Leadership book by business people around the globe. The aim and objective of this event is to create a future forum where Myanmar business leaders can discuss and share ideas and explore more about leadership skills provided by known practitioners. For more information please contact 09 45175 0051.

Promotion

You are the burger to my fries June and July This June and July, Babett Yangon puts a sophisticated twist on the traditional burger joint and serves a focused menu of six 6 handcrafted melt-in-your-mouth burgers for only MMK 17,000 (including fries). All those must-try burgers can be paired with typical Babett delicious side dishes such as Onion Rings, Homemade Potato Chips, Sweet Chili Potatoes, Dried Tomatoes and Mint, Spinach Salad with Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini Parmesan Fries at 6,000 Kyats. To perfectly match with burgers, Babett has selected Dagon, Hoegaarden & Borona buckets along with Magners Cider buckets starting at 14,000 Kyats. Please call 01 243 639 for reservation.

Saturday Buffet Dinner Every Saturday Looking for the perfect dinner location to treat your business partners or to host a casual gathering with friends or family? Hilton Mandalay has their famous Saturday Buffet Dinner. Saturday Buffet Dinner is priced at MMK 37,000 nett per pax and can top up beverage package with only additional MMK 15,000 net for free flow of wine & beer. Book your table at Café Mandalay by calling 02 40 36488. Hilton Mandalay - No. 1, Junction of 26th and 66th Street, Chan Aye Tharzan Township, Mandalay | 6 pm - 10 pm

Babett Yangon - No.5, Alan Pya Pagoda Road, Dagon Township, Yangon | All Day

Unlimited Thursday Every Thursday Prime Rib has smoked beef baby back ribs promotion every Thursday only at 19800 kyats for Unlimited ribs and beer. For reservations, please contact to 09 264 655 551. Prime Rib - Urban Asia Center, Ground Floor, Corner of Maha Bandoola Road and 48th Street, Botahtaung Township, Yangon | 6 pm - 9 pm

Yangon Convention Center - No.37, Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Within same compound of Inya Lake Hotel, Mayangone Township, Yangon | 9 am - 6 pm

Rose Garden Hotel - No.171, Upper Pansodan Street, Near Kandawgyi Lake, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township, Yangon | 11:30 am - 4 pm MYANMORE magazine #32 June 2019

Cinemas

Coming Dark Phoenix

Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Now Showing Godzilla:King of the Monsters Action, Adventure, Fantasy

The crypto-zoological agency Monarch faces off against a battery of god-sized monsters including the mighty Godzilla,who collides with Mothra,Rodan,and his ultimate nemesis,the three headed King Ghidorah. Casts: Charles Dance, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Bradley Whitfort and more.

Jean Grey begins to develop incredible powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix. Now the X-Men will have to decide if the life of a team member is worth more than all the people living in the world. Casts: Sophie Turner, Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and more.

The Secret Life of Pets 2 Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Men in Black: International

Toy Story 4

The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. In this new adventure, they tackle their biggest threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organization.

When a new toy called “Forky” joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy.

Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Casts: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Rebecca Ferguson and more.

Shaft

Action, Crime

Continuing the story of Max and his pet friends, following their secret lives after their owners leave them for work or school each day.

John Shaft Jr., a cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, enlists his family’s help to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s untimely death.

Casts: Patton Oswalt, Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart and more.

Casts: Samuel L. Jackson, Avan Jogia, Alexandra Shipp and more.

Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Casts: Keanu Reeves, Patricia Arquette, Christina Hendricks and more.

Child’s Play Horror

A mother gives her son a toy doll for his birthday, unaware of its more sinister nature. Casts: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Hamill, Tim Matheson and more.

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Annabelle Comes Home Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Determined to keep Annabelle from wreaking more havoc, demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren bring the possessed doll to the locked artifacts room in their home, placing her “safely” behind sacred glass and enlisting a priest’s holy blessing. But an unholy night of horror awaits as Annabelle awakens the evil spirits in the room, who all set their sights on a new target-the Warrens’ ten-year-old daughter, Judy, and her friends Casts: Madison Iseman, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson and more.

MYANMORE magazine #32 June 2019

Cinemas in Yangon

Two Weeks Notice

Burmse, Drama, Romance

A Burmese drama film directed by the well-known Maung Myo Min, based on a story where four persons from the wealthy families meet to destiny each other fate among hatred. Casts: Pyay Ti Oo, Ye Aung, Min Oo, Kyaw Kyaw Bo, Wut Hmone Shwe Yi, Aye Myat Thu & more.

Tea Shop

THE TEA SHOP Illustration by Ben Hopkins

MYANMORE MYANMORE magazine magazine #32 #31 June May 2019

Reuters Reports Freed

MNA Airplane

Decrease in Malaria

Trump 1, China 0

Two Reuters journalists imprisoned under the Official Secrets Act finally walked free after spending more than 500 days behind bars. Wa Lone and Kyaw San Oo were sentenced to 7 years in prison since 2017 December. They were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting last month and now accordingly are the symbol of the press freedom movement across the world.

A landing gear malfunction on UB103 (an Embraer 190 model) from the Myanmar National Airlines fleet almost caused a major accident in Mandalay International on the morning of May 12. However, the pilot managed to stick the landing after flying around twice and asking whether the nose wheel had dropped, with his quick thinking and experience. Fortunately, out of 82 passengers and 7 staff, none were injured.

Say goodbye to Mosquito? Not quite. However, with a press release on the 17th of May, the US Ambassador Scot Marciel was glad to announce the reduction of Malaria in Myanmar by a margin of 86%, thanks to the community health workers servicing in rural areas and the equipment provided by the United States. Their main goal is to see the full departure of the Malaria disease by 2030. These efforts are part of the approximate $32 million annual funds the United States invests in Myanmar to improve the health of people.

Guess who banned all use of telecom equipment from foreign firms? Donald J. Trump! On the 15th of May, the POTUS issued an executive order on securing InfoComm supply chain. Whom does this affect? It’s pretty obvious, Chinese tech giant Huawei. The suspension of operations with Android and Google following the order is much more worrying. This could impact Huawei’s smartphone business outside its native country as the company will immediately lose access to updates to Google’s Android operating system.

Waso Chin Lone Festival Are you a fan of Chin Lone? The 91st annual Waso Chin Lone festival where 2000 teams take part in the Myanmar variant of Hacky-Sack (a rattan ball) takes place in a small stadium in the western part of Mahamuni Pagoda, Mandalay. Mark your calendars, it starts on the 5th of June until the start of July.. Come to the stadium, drink some tea, eat some La Phet Thoke, and enjoy the match.

MYANMORE magazine #31 #32 May June 2019 2019

Feature

COMMON DISEASES IN THE RAINY SEASON AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES Dr. Htun Win Lin, a general practitioner at CBL Chemo Centre, reviews diseases common in the rainy season and how to prevent them beforehand to stay alert. Health experts say both adults and children may encounter various diseases in rainy season as the prospects are high due to vector-borne infections and unhygienic conditions by the damp environment in the rainy season. Early diagnosis and treatments are necessary to avoid further complications to see as if it is also good to understand the preventive measures. Consequently, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital to maintain good hygiene, develop a good immune system, and seek medical help in case of any unusual symptoms. These followings are the common diseases which mostly found in all ages during the rainy season.

ommon cold: A highly contagious, viral infection that occurs mostly in throughout your upper respiratory tract. Many viruses may cause a cold, however, the degree of severity varies. People with colds are likely to have a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, throat irritation, soreness, and fever. Common colds can be prevented by simply wearing

face masks when you go outside, and maintaining a high immune system by eating and sleeping regularly. Influenza, also known as the Flu: Similar to the Common Cold, Influenza is also a viral infection but not nearly as contagious as the Cold. However, the Flu can cause

MYANMORE magazine #32 June 2019

major problems for you and your body. Symptoms include fever or feeling feverish/chills, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue with the extreme being hospitalization due to pneumonia and bacterial infections. Prevention is simply avoiding large crowds, and wearing face masks, the obvious being eating right and sleeping tight. Dengue Fever: Also regarded as one of the most common diseases during the rainy season, Dengue Fever, primarily contracted from mosquito bites. Dengue can vary from mild to severe. Patients who develop the more serious forms of Dengue fever are usually hospitalized fortunately, the disease only spreads via mosquitoes, so if you avoid areas with large puddles of stagnant water and apply insect repellent spray, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be fine. Acute Gastroenteritis: Generally caused by contaminated water or food and spread around by flies, Acute Gastroenteritis an infection

MYANMORE magazine #32 June 2019

of the digestive tract causes inflammation of both the stomach and the intestines. The disease causes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever, stomach pain and muscle cramps. This is a disease we urge you not to get, however, if you have the misfortune to receive the disease from a naughty little fly, seek medical help urgently. Avoid eating over-ripen fruits, uncovered food at food stalls and drinking plenty of boiled or purified water will prevent the recurrence of disease and undesirable complications.

color that appears in the eyes and skin of the victim. In most Hepatitis A cases, the liver heals within six months with no lasting damage. Drinking clean water is also important because it prevents waterborne diseases Whereas the best cure may be prevention but if you were unlucky enough to get any of these diseases, it would require regular rest and normal intake of anti-

biotics if things get messy. Worry not, for the chance of catching serious illness is very limitedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; except the Common Cold. In general, use mosquito nets, boil your water, eat fresh, store your groceries properly to prevent crosscontamination, wear a face mask, and carry some hand sanitizers. Health tips aside, we at Myanmore wish you a disease-free monsoon. ENJOY THE RAIN, responsibly.

Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is an extremely contagious viral liver infection, it is regarded as one of the most common diseases in developing countries like Myanmar, where hygiene is significantly lacking in most rural areas. It is no surprise as it is a waterborne disease, generally caused by contaminated water or excrement from someone with the disease. Symptoms include stomach-ache and loss of appetite, nausea, fever, diarrhea and fatigue, but most importantly the distinct yellow

Cover Story

HTEIN LIN: STILL THOUGHT PROVOKING, STILL LEADING THE CONTEMPORARY

MYANMORE magazine #32 June 2019

tein Lin, though he requires no introduction, is a former activist, student soldier and political prisoner (along with other things) who is today considered to be Myanmar’s premier contemporary artist and of its best known social commentator, working in a broad array of mediums to express a unique interpretation of Myanmar society and express his deeply held love for the customs and conventions that have shaped him. He is best known for possessing an evocative, yet simple style with hand crafted aesthetics that delicately walk the line between the abstract and the deeply human being. His works traverse the history of the nation’s conflicts, grief and healing, identity, religion, and celebrate the spirit and the beauty of ordinary people towards the community. Words by Alec Wilmot. Sitting at an outdoor cafe nestled in Bahan, Htein Lin explained the way he approaches Myanmar as a subject in art; You can see

culture, religion and politics always influencing each other, he said. What has set Htein Lin’s work apart is not just his decades of artistic expression and varied experience, but his ability to translate and humanise the experience of being Myanmar into pieces that speak to all audiences – the success of his body work overseas in galleries as far flung as Australia and Japan speaks to his ability to communicate emotion through his approach to the mediums he employs, of which there are many. From charcoal, illustration, painting and mosaic to sculpture, textile collage and interactive media, his works continue to provoke thought, and not a little controversy, at home and abroad. The artist saw a great deal of praise when he contributed a piece to the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, located in Queensland, Australia, at the end of 2018. “ Thabeik Hmauq”, or upturned alms bowl, is a giant 108-string prayer bead chain laid out to encompass a collection

of an overturned monk’s alms bowls. Beyond the pleasing minimalist aesthetics, the meaning of the piece speaks deeply to those who can recognise its symbolic elements. The rosary beads represent the religious underpinnings and disjuncture among factions of Myanmar society, particularly the ethnically diverse practitioners of Buddhism. Laid out in the centre are the overturned bowls which explain a historically recognised means of protest. An overturned bowl cannot be filled, and so no merit can be bestowed upon the giver. The practice reaches back centuries to the rule of the Burmese kings, but has a modern political relevance to the monk’s participation in the 2008 Saffron Revolution. The show in Australia was followed up with a project much closer to home, geographically and personally. “Htamein Katesa” (Skirting Issue), which opened in May of this year, was a bold gallery show that included an interactive social media element. He used Facebook to reach out to his followers directly, asking them to participate in his recent exhibition centered on Myanmar’s women. The premise was simple – he asked any and all women to comment and share their thoughts on the traditional belief that mixing men and women’s garments in the wash would lessen the glory, or the “hpon” of the household’s men. Women from all manner of backgrounds and communities in Myanmar made their feelings known on the thread, and the responses were as diverse as they were honest. Many women shared, perhaps for the first time publicly, whether they did or did not hold a belief in the spiritual power of gendered garments. Many doubted it, but felt they could not break with tradition without upsetting others in the household. One response of note came from Citymart Groups owner Daw Win Tint Tint, who said, “I never combine the washing. I grew up in a family mostly of men, and the rule was important. Even now, I continue to follow the custom;

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however, I will teach my own children that it is wrong”. Once Htein Lin believed he had caught enough responses, he took the next step which was to put older women’s testimony to video. He did this, as he explained before the exhibit, to show men in the audience that if old women could move beyond superstition, perhaps they could, too. When the time came, he introduced the exhibit as a whole, which included painted htamein (woman longyi) on canvas depicting women in natural poses, amplifying their simple beauty by harnessing the textile patterns and colour palettes of the htameins. The videos of the women discussing mixed laundry were played inside an enormous head constructed using many collected htarmein materials sewn together. The fact that one was viewing the testimonials while clothing was hanging over them was an additional layer to the experience – traditionally, men are not allowed to pass beneath women’s garments. The response to his show was mostly positive, with support from women’s civil society groups – but it drew sharp criticism from conservative elements who scolded the artist for addressing the taboo. A group of ultranationalist monks attacked the show online, claiming that the head portion of the exhibit space was actually a sacrilegious depiction of the Buddha, something the artist immediately denied – clarifying that it was a representation of a woman. “It was mostly men who were angry”, the artist related. “They were saying, why did you choose to do this?”. What he had aimed to do was to invite people to reflect on the customs they followed, without judging people who chose to do so. It was not a simple provocation, but the response did speak volumes about the how the issue is viewed, and so all adds to the success of the experiment. Htein Lin’s other recent exhibit piece was in the medium of sculpture. “Revival” is a piece that speaks to the artists fascination with construction, urban

Cover Story

MYANMORE magazine #32 June 2019

destruction and re-invention as a constant in modern people’s daily lives, and particularly in Yangon. The pace of change, and a concern for the natural Myanmar environment Htein Lin has taken so much inspiration from, prompted him to speak out.

“After the country opened, we lost many antique colonial era buildings, which I think is very sad. I don’t like the new condo style – it’s so plain. It all looks the same,” he said. The artist was struck by inspiration when he noted that the route

he took from his home to the studio was being littered with discarded building materials, old concrete, rebar and a good deal of rubbish from the construction sites that dotted the road. He began examining the pieces he came across, working out an idea for a new piece in his head, and

slowly amassed a collection of the materials he was going to need. The final product has a brutal elegance to it — a large concrete slab that sits on the floor, encrusted all over with starkly pretty turquoise mosaic pieces. From the base, like emerging flower stems, come twisted rods of rebar tangling and twisting into rough rock-like pieces of concrete also displaying calming turquoise mosaic patterns. The artist expressed that the piece is intended to act as a sort of warning – that the rush to modernise should not mean replacing local heritage with faceless modern edifices. Sitting under the vaulted roof of the outdoor cafe, Htein Lin pondered the question of what he was planning to do next. He left the impression that was near the beginning of this process, with the challenge of drawing his own thoughts and feelings together on a topic before he decided how it was going to become manifest. “Elephants”, he said quizzically. “I went and visited an elephant camp in Kalaw, and saw that they make papers using elephant dung. A very interesting process. I want to get some of this paper and use it to create an installation.” Beyond extolling the virtues of Myanmar’s vast and unique animal kingdom, and particularly the virtues of elephants, Htein Lin explained that a new project based around the idea of elephants as symbols of Myanmar’s natural wealth would be ready for exhibition before the end of this year. The planned exhibit will use the elephant in a literal and a figurative sense, it being a revered member of the Myanmar animal kingdom. It’s partly going to be about the white elephant, and the problems of the illegal animal trade. Elephants are suffering, so I’m concerned with that and the people who are trying to protect them. I want to explore how deeply connected we are with the elephant through our long history,” he said.

MYANMORE magazine #32 June 2019

Do you know? Feature

TEN NETFLIX TV SHOWS YOU SHOULDN’T MISS (2019) As you know there are tons of movies and shows available on Netflix, you may have a problem to hand-pick what you should see after your favorite show ends or it is your first dilemma on Netflix. Friends? Breaking Bad? Narcos? Stranger Things? We all know these are the most-viewed shows on Netflix since the beginning yet here are the less well known yet best to catch up if you want to stay inside with a dim light, a blanket and a cup of coffee during the rainy days.

The Peaky Blinders Crime, Drama

Grab a bag of popcorn, maybe some chips, but most importantly your finest bottle of whiskey--by order of the Peaky Blinders (in a thick Brummie accent). Set in Northern England, a few years after World War I, this not-so-well-known-inMyanmar show is a must watch if you like suspense and maybe even a few action scenes; or else you’re simply missing out. Trying our best to not spoil, here’s a quick runthrough: Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby runs Small Heath, Birmingham with his two brothers; Arthur and John. Notoriously named the Peaky Blinders, their gang consists of mostly young World War I vets who sport the “peaky” hat with razor

blades fitted under. Throughout the show, they face numerous enemies trying to obliterate them at all costs. Watch in awe as Tommy Shelby rises through the ranks of British organized crime. All in all, it has exceptional character development, a sensational soundtrack, and an addictive storyline that will keep you binging.

everyday life-- sometimes warm sometimes twisted, but at the end of the day, they always find a way to love each other and bring laughter despite their own struggles. The premises of this sit-com is rather simple as it is directed as the documentary of three families, individually sitting on the sofa and complaining about their issues.

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Tom Hardy, Sophie Rundle & more.

The extra-dramatic gay couple, the successful grandpa, his beautiful young wife and step-son, and another family usually struggling with parenting issues indeed make one big modern family. It gives you an insight into leading a happy family life, as well as a chance to emotionally participate in their moments. It’s like adopting a new blood-unrelated family!

Modern Family Comedy, Romance

Rainy season can be tough and sad feelings usually take a toll on us while it rains. How to lighten your mood during those times? We can watch how the Prichett-Dunphy-Tucker clan cope with their

Cast: Ed O’Neill, Sofía Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson & more.

Money Heist

Action, Crime, Mystery

“La Casa de Papel” as it was originally named, translates directly to “House of Paper/Money” in Spanish, which seemingly implies, to me, the friendship bound by the thirst for money. This award-winning and the most successful non-English Netflix production demonstrates the ambitious heist carried out under the guidance of “the professor”, the mastermind of the plan and who assembled the group. As captivating as it is, this long-prepared multi-day assault takes place in the Royal Mint of Spain, in Madrid.

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The chemistry between the robbers as well as the obstacles that they encounter while pulling off the heist, the politics between the robbers and the authorities, following the genius strategies of the professor portrayed by Álvaro Morte as Sergio Marquina, is especially fascinating. For all crime-drama TV Show buffs out there, this is THE SHOW for you to binge-watch on the weekends. Cast: Úrsula Corberó, Itziar Ituño, Álvaro Morte, Alba Flores, Miguel Herrán & more.

Marvel’s The Punisher Action, Adventure, Crime

You might think all heroes have a code in which they operate. Not Frank Castle, an ex-marine-turned-vigilante with nothing to lose, avenging the death of his wife and kids. He may not be bulletproof like his big green Marvel buddy, but he sure can take a beating. Steel rods, knives, bullets, even rocket missiles; nothing can kill The Punisher. One of the many Marvel series on Netflix, The Punisher portrayed by Jon Bernthal, is the most underrated of them all. He also makes appearances on viewer-favourite, Daredevil. Frank Castle uncovers a conspiracy that runs far deeper than New York’s criminal underworld. Pronounced to be legally dead, he must discover the truth about injustices and make uneasy alliances, in order to finally end the war that has controlled his life for too long. Cast: Jon Bernthal, Amber Rose Revah, Ben Barnes, Jason R. Moore, Ebon Moss-Bachrach & more.

Dynasty

few--to see what really drives them to act out homicidally.

The Rain

Next up is a reboot of American prime time television soap opera series of the 1980s of the same name. This sudsy drama Netflix show will take you on a ride of major plot twists, along the witty and cunning characters which eventually are the ones you would grow fond of. Dynasty centres on the powerful Carrington family, defending their dynasty against the Colbys, other rivals and threats, sometimes even each other.

Cast: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv, Hannah Gross, Stacey Roca & more.

The show opens with the Danish family, running away from the rain that their dad knows what’s coming with. The virus wiped out nearly everybody in Scandinavia yet the two siblings were safe in the bunker where they have been staying after six years. When they discover the rest of civilization, they join a group of fellow young survivors, and together they head out on a life-threatening quest throughout the apocalypse.

Drama, Family

The heiress of the Carrington dynasty, Fallon, came back to find out that her billionaire father, Blake, is engaged to Cristal, and her attempt to separate them begins the story. Cast: Elizabeth Gillies, Rafael de la Fuente, Sam Adegoke, Alan Dale, Grant Show & more.

Mindhunters

Crime, Drama, Thriller

Catching a criminal often requires law enforcement to get inside the villain’s mind to figure out how he thinks. That’s the job of FBI agents Holden Ford played by Jonathan Groff and Bill Tench played by Holt McCallany. A show based on John E.Douglas’ Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, it has all the properties of a great True Crime series and more. Holden and Bill had just realised that old school methods of criminal profiling aren’t that efficient anymore, and with the help of a psychologist, Wendy Carr the duo go around having conversations with psychopathic and sociopathic serial killers--Ed Kemper, Richard Speck, and Jerry Brudos to name a

The Mist

Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi

Based on Stephen King’s novella, the show starts with a US soldier awakes from the blackout with a strange dog starring at him in the woods. Then he looks around and sees the mists are coming. When it arrives at the town, the residents of a Maine village discover their nightmarish creatures. They soon learn the situation is even more precarious as unexplained anomalies and phenomena in the mist attack and kill most who enter. Several groups of people were trapped in a shopping mall, a church, and a hospital. Eventually, people begin to see apparitions in the mist from their past, fears, or guilt that help or kill them. Then things get intense when people want to establish rules. Cast: Morgan Spector, Alyssa Sutherland, Gus Birney, Danica Curcic, Okezie Morro & more.

After Life

Comedy, Drama

In the anticipated drama the King of Sarcasm and Dark Humor, Ricky Gervais plays Tony Johnson, a suicidal widower who would act on his most nihilistic impulses. He has depression and with nothing important to live for, he would snap at everyone he sees or anyone he can’t stand. If you’ve watched Ricky Gervais do a stand-up show, you would understand why he would make a crack at terminal illness and/or bereavement. Although this show is “Politically Incorrect,” it’s still a great watch due to its portrayal of characters and in-depth coverage of Gervais’ character. It’s a tale of redemption, that demonstrates how all small little things of good in the world can pile up and make life worth living. Cast: Ricky Gervais, Tom Basden, Tony Way, Diane Morgan, Mandeep Dhillon & more.

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Sci-Fi, Thriller

When the survivors merged down to find out the boy who was carrying the virus all along… Even in a post-apocalyptic world, the show reveals there is love, family, jealousy and dilemmas that young people have always faced. Cast: Alba August, Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Lukas Løkken & more.

Disenchantment

Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Another piece of art by the producer Matt Groening who created the ultimate “The Simpsons” and “Futurama”--Disenchantment will whisk you away to a whole new medieval fantasy world called Dreamland. This American adult animated sitcom show presents the alcoholic princess named Bean who also happens to have major daddy issues, her happy-go-lucky elf friend Elfo and Luci the harmless demon. Magical weddings, brave knights, great adventures, and mythical creatures; no stone is left unturned in this series, where only one season has been released. Nevertheless, you will enjoy, if not, giggle every few minutes with Groening’s signature raunchy humour. Bean lives in a royal castle with her snub-nosed father, King Zog, her reptilian mother Oona--who oddly has a Russian accent--and her halfling step-brother Derek. Enjoy her mishaps, and odd quests with Disenchantment. Cast: Robin Atkin Downes, Abbi Jacobson, Eric André, Nat Faxon, John DiMaggio & more.

Travel

Hpa An - Zwekabin

Salay Yoke Sone Monastery

YENANGYAUNG A

s far as trips through Myanmar go, the region between Yangon and Bagan is often overlooked. We wondered what interesting destinations lie in the stretch and set out to explore the 600 kilometres forgotten. Part of the fun in exploration is the path trodden and we opted to use public transportation as much as possible, combining trains and buses, motorbikes and boats. Overland travel has the added bonus of engagement with locals and learning about their daily lives: the enthusiastic Ayeyarwaddy fisherman; aunties tending to their shops; children running around in green and white school uniforms. We hoped that stepping into these hidden oases, travelling slowly

and consciously, would yield interesting insight into this rapidly changing country. In our must-sees, we listed Pyay(a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the sleepy town of Salay, a homestay in the village of Magyikan as stopping points en route. Our journey began with the heat of mid-day, on a North-West train from Yangon Central Rail Station bound for Pyay. On our bumpy way, the countryside of Myanmar passed us by as we took in the scenes of colourful seasonal plantations, and farmers working their water buffalos, toiling in the paddy fields. 8 hours later, we arrived in time for a quick meal of la phet htamin thoke – tea leaf salad with rice – before hitting the hay. It’s always a

surprise how exhausting sitting on a train “doing nothing” really is! The following day, we rose early to board a local wooden boat headed downstream to Akauk Taung – home to intricate Buddha statues carved into the towering cliffs done by the sailors of the mid19th century as their prayer while passing through a mandatory tax point. The rest of our afternoon was spent in tea shops chatting in broken Burmese about life in the small town, and visiting Shwesandaw Pagoda before our 7h night bus to Yenangyaung. Expectedly in the more rural parts of Myanmar, the bus was sufficient but not flashy like the ones with the mini LED displays.

Thankfully, the warm welcome that awaited us at the Lei Thar Gone guest house made up for a bumpy night. Retirement brainchild and community project of Eric Trutwein, the guesthouse started alongside the “Light of Love Private High School” as a communitybased tourism project for orphans and children of the area aiming for a future with more possibilities. The boutique guesthouse was cozy and charming, with lovely stone walls and blossoming flowers abound. There was always a gentle breeze as we were perched on top of the hill, wine in hand, watching the colours of Myanmar’s iconic sunsets over the Ayeyarwaddy river.

Inle

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The next morning, we went for an adventure on the river and tested our patience. Ms Ya Min met us bright and early after breakfast for our walk to the river. We passed through Sharr Pin Yoe village where we amassed a crowd of curious and giggling thanakasmeared toddlers. They gathered along the shoreline to watch why foreigners were clambering into a shallow wooden boat. This early morning was also “bath time” and we observed, just as curiously, as farmers dragged large grunting pigs down the banks and started a scrubbing battle, with soap and suds flying. We chugged towards the middle of the river, our motors scaring flocks of swallows & egrets into a sudden flight. The waving children and water buffalo numbers reduced as the river widened, and 30 minutes later we stopped in a spot that really looked no different from any other. Ms Ya Min turned our engine off and put a finger to her lips. With a few experienced swings, she showed us how to delicately ease the large nets over the surface of the water, spreading them out carefully. We attempted, at best, and Ms Ya Min came to our rescue. Here comes the most difficult part - kanalay, - waiting--with no cell signal. The first hour was challenging, but soon the peaceful river and the rhythmic rocking of the passing waves soothed, calmed and hypnotised us. The 3 hours we spent lazing on the boat went by far more quickly than we had expected. Ms Ya Min suddenly woke from her nap and started pulling in the net, neatly folding it layer upon layer, expectantly looking for wriggling silvery flashes, which we gently unravel from the net and pop into a small bucket of water. Our morning was very fruitful – 2 medium-sized fish for lunch, and a handful of bitesized beer snacks for the evening pint! We figured a busy morning justified our lazy afternoon and the Lei Thar Gone quiet pool couldn’t be more inviting. Our afternoon was spent idling on the lounge chairs, nibbling on our fresh catch. On day 4, 2 motorbikes waited at reception for the next leg of

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Magyikan homestay

Local people and local life. our trip. We hung on tight for a bumpy 5h drive through the dry zone towards Salay. Travelling along the sandy tracks running parallel to the Ayeyarwaddy, we passed a colourful and seemingly never-ending procession of people about their daily tasks. The fields with farmers wearing khamauk - a typical conical bamboo hat-; women balancing heavy loads on their heads; herds of goats and cattle unaffected by honking traffic; children with mini book bags slung over a shoulder; ox carts squeezing their way past oncoming truck and bikes – such brilliant photo opportunities along the way. The next stop is Pakannge village which was set-up by people originally from Bagan. The first king of Bagan enforced Theravada Buddhism upon them but they continued following a different branch of Buddhism, the Heravada one, and some others continued

with their animist beliefs. The village ladies were awaiting our arrival with a delicious picnic lunch with fried rice. After a hearty meal, we continued riding to Magyikan Village for our local homestay. The Magyikan village communitybased tourism project started with 3 houses, two long-legged ones built of wood and bamboo and the third of brick. Primarily, the villagers are the host to the visitors while organizing some of the activities in and around the village. They introduced local day to day activities to guests and help them appreciate the culture of the people in the area. On the next day, we got up early (along with the locals) and had sticky rice, bananas and green tea for breakfast. The eager villagers later lined up to say goodbye and waved our bikes off into the dust. We continued our journey

to Salay, a collection of Colonialera buildings, in a dilapidated but enchanting condition. One highlight of the area is Yoke Saung Kyaung - a magnificent Konbaungperiod, carved-teak monastery, which were both intricate and impressive. Our drivers lead us to the Bagan-esque temples with wall paintings intact, some with Mahayana motives. They remind us of a quiet Bagan, untouched by modernization, free of hawkers, selfie-sticks and “do not touch” signs. Our drivers dropped us off at Salay House for ice-cold lime sodas as we waited for our boat to Bagan. The 5hrs journey allowed us a quiet afternoon after the last days, which were brimming with activity. We gazed along the banks of the Ayeyarwaddy in quiet contemplation, reflecting on the genuine hospitality and warmth we experienced on our wonderful journey. Melissa Tan is the General Manager of Khiri Travel Myanmar and has shared her experience travelling within Myanmar in a monthly column. Khiri Travel 01 375 577 melissa@khiri.com khiri.com

E-bike in Bagan

Feature

UNCLOGGING GHOST NETS IN MYANMAR Photos by Magnus Larsson.

wei Pila, Mergui Archipelago is a subsidiary tourism project of Yoma Strategic Holdings that consists of many resorts located in both wellknown and lesser-known spots throughout Myanmar. It recently was the host of a “cleanup” campaign to clear ALDFG (abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear), most of which have become part of the environment by being tangled or discarded. Also known as “ghost nets,” the gear are known to be hazardous to marine life–-ultimately killing fish and others as well as suffocating the corals. A team of nine divers, and five

support crew from different parts of the world: Brazil, Sweden, Lithuania and Romania to name a few. The group has managed, in a mere four days (from May 8 to 11), to recover over 300kgs of ALDFG using only scissors. The archipelago consists of over 800 islands and atolls, all under threat by these “ghost nets.” Marcelo Guimarães, a marine biologist working for Awei Pila resort, also demonstrated that “In 2009, the United Nations estimated that 640,000 tonnes of ghost gear were littering the world’s oceans,” and with the nets, most of which are made with Nylon or other similar materials, will take over 600 years to biodegrade.

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The founder of Ocean Quest Global, a Southeast-Asian organization dedicated to saving coral reefs, Anuar Abdullah, expressed his thoughts in the group’s mission statement: “The importance of healthy coral reefs to their surrounding communities cannot be understated.” “They not only provide them with food and revenue through fisheries and tourism, but also stave off coastal erosion, thereby safeguarding land property from damage and reducing the risk of population displacement. Coral reefs are important and unique ecosystems that are self-sustaining and provide vital support for marine life,” he continued. Furthermore, Awei Pila plans to eliminate all plastic usage throughout its grounds by the end of this year. The resort also aims to stay active and give its full support to the clearance campaign and the Myanmar Ocean Project. As a member of Memories Group and partner of Burma Boating, the general manager of Awei Pila -- Steffen Kroehl said that they aim to create minimum impact on a pristine environment throughout Mergui Archipelago. With over 1000kg of “ghost” gear recovered, stay tuned by checking their website www.myanmarocean.org. MYANMORE magazine #32 June 2019

Q&A

CHEF CHRISTOPHE BUZARE

ith a thick French accent, a passion for cooking, and a big heart; Christophe Buzare is the Executive Chef at Hotel G’s Babett. The restaurant, with its signature framed pictures walls, wooden furniture and terrace, is a frequently talked-about spot in Yangon’s foodie society. Despite being the Executive Chef, Christophe is sometimes seen having a quick chat with customers—with a warm smile on his face. Here he talks about his philosophy on food, and why he became a chef. Photos by Hotel G Yangon. Chef Christophe Buzare

Where are you from? I’m from the West of France, Brittany, close to the sea. How did you discover your passion for food and decide to become a chef? In France, it is customary during your teenage years to start thinking about what you want to do for a living. With the help of my family - my elder sister working in the tourism business, and with my father - I had the opportunity to work in a restaurant. When I first started, I loved the atmosphere, the work, the team spirit and developed a liking turned to passion to cook good food that will put smiles on people’s face.

How did you end up in Babett? I came to Myanmar in 2010, and started at Le Planteur as Chef de Cuisine, and then at Kandawgyi Palace. I worked at the Strand Hotel, after the first round of renovation in 2016 when The Strand Restaurant reopened. The Strand and Hotel G being part of the same group, GCP Hospitality, the group Executive Chef offered me the opportunity to be Babett’s Executive Chef when the project first started and it has been a great experience ever since. Not only is the location excellent, which is good for business, but the product and concept are also different from what you have in town, which is why our guests love Babett and keep coming back.

What was the dish that made you love food? In my native Brittany, Crêpe is really popular. When I was very young, my grandmother used to make me these crêpes, after school time. She would top them up with chocolate and sugar. Basic but it was really the best! By the way, you can also try my other desserts as the Chocolate Volcano or the crème brulée, other favourites of mine! What do you enjoy most about working as a chef? What I like most is the team spirit that we have at Babett—my SousChef has been working with me for the past 8 years, we always work hand in hand. Another thing I love

is seeing all these young cooks I recruited improve with us and growing into their career, there is nothing more rewarding. Most important of all, the feeling that I get when people come to Babett, taste the food and obviously enjoy it, as they do their time at Babett. Whenever my customers are happy, I am too. What kind of chef are you? I am a very traditional chef. Here at Babett, we cook French and Mediterranean cuisine; what I call simple bistro food which requires quality ingredients, good homemade sauce or seasoning, and organic vegetables. Our space is convivial, invites people to come and feel happy. Simple food but good!

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Babett Yangon

What’s your favorite Cooking TV Show? Do not laugh at me, I like Masterchef France, and Masterchef Myanmar—the judges Michel and Ye Htut Win are actually good friends of mine. What should someone coming to Babett expect? Expect spending a good time with your friends or family, even if you are by yourself. Whether you are up to eating something healthy, good meat cuts, or more elaborate French specialties such as Beef Tartare and Pan-fried Foie Gras, and affordable wines, Babett caters for many tastes which you won’t find anywhere else in Yangon. We have a nice dry-aged beef section, and we make great barbecues.

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As for vegetables, we source organically from small farmers around Myanmar— whom we try to support as much as we can. Do you have any hobbies? I play golf pretty often. When you’re a chef, you spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I enjoy the outdoors and the sun— and maybe get some Hole-in-Ones. Do you have a favorite dish? It may sound simple but I would say the Mashed Potato, that I love to make. It’s a customer’s favorite, mostly because we add a lot of butter and seasoning which makes it creamy, soft and amazing. It is of course available on our A la carte menu alongside other dishes.

Babett Yangon

Review

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SOI 46: A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN RELAX IN DOWNTOWN HUSTLE

hat is it A hidden gem in Botataung thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s excellent value for money. Soi 46 stands out with a Thailand style foot massage in a relaxing, clean environment. The interior design is well thought through and simple in a good way, with low light and chairs lined up along both walls it is clear this is all about delivering good foot massage. Relaxing music in the low light setting makes it easy to unwind, and with no chatting the sound-level is low. Overall a great place to visit an afternoon and escape the chaos. What do you get? The foot massage starts with a foot bath before the enthusiastic masseuse gets to work on your feet, calves and thighs, working out aches and pains also using a hand tool for your pressure points. The massage ends with a

hand, shoulder and neck massage. For the 1.5 and two hour packages a head and facial massage is included. Plus points The pleasant environment enables you to fully relax. It is quiet and clean with a nice scent and soft music. The head and facial massage is a nice addition to the foot massage. Price: 1 Hours 6,000 Kyat ( includes foot massage, shoulder, neck) 1.5 hours 9,000 Kyat (includes foot massage, shoulder, neck, head, face) 2 hours 12,000 Kyat (includes foot massage, shoulder, neck, head, face)

Address: No.132,46th Street(Upper), Botahtaung Township,Yangon. Ph:09 4289 83331

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Review

PORT AUTONOMY: CRAVING(S) SATISFIED

ort Autonomy, the fusion-food baby of 57Below and Pun+ Projects now claims to be a part of Yangon’s culinary sequence after all its reincarnation. Located just next to the red cross building on Strand road, previously known as Union Bar & Grill, the new P.A is bound to please the gastronome in you, with its unique admixture of Mexican, Asian and Western menu. Rustic decor, a vintage atmosphere and a strict noplastic scheme makes Port Autonomy a silver lining in the falling industry. Just in time for lunch, Myanmore team went for a quick exploration of the fusion menu. Unfortunately with the daylight, the signature pink neon glow--that we’ve all seen in our Social Media feed--won’t be present at the time. Tacky lighting aside, we made do with a comfy booth table with firm leather seats. We went with the Mains first––a lightly battered and deep fried set of catfish dressed with sweet pickles and mildly mixed ‘slaw. As delicious as that might sound; there was only 1 small tortilla which was sadly not enough for the

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in Southeast Asia, Eat Fish Sauce--which, when combined with the Aioli toasted sandwich bread lightly floured on the top, was a great burst of flavours that serves to be a reminder of a good meal in P.A. However, we did find the Phở dip unnecessary--just not our bowl of soup. Continuing with our poorly timed appetizers, our food odyssey brings us to the final dish––the Mexican classic Chips & Guac. Decently priced at an easy 4000Ks, it’s a bang for your buck. It’s condiments: chunky guacamole, sour cream with toasted sesame and pumpkin seeds and salsa are just a wow. And the store-made tortilla chips were the highlight as we just couldn’t get enough.

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both of us; though the Baja Catfish Taco (5000Ks), isn’t really a thing to share. Nevertheless, the chef redeemed himself with the next addition to our rumbling tummies, four toasted mini brioche with juicy Country chicken--yeah, with all that buttermilk--and kimchi salsa with maybe what I think was Gochujang, all topped off with a few pickles. Two Korean Fried Chicken Sliders, both worth the 10K price tag, are the go-to at Port Autonomy.

Not A Steak Sandwich? I don’t think so. The mediumrare piece of Aussie Sirloin, which was slightly underseasoned for our taste however an awesome piece of beef--juicy and oozy when it’s picked up. Oops, did we make you drool? Don’t worry, we’re just getting started. Holding the Not A Steak Sandwich (20,000Ks) was the Asian twist to the Chimichurri Sauce--When

Overall, we would recommend you to popin either for a lunch bite if you are bustling around the downtown area or a few drinks if you are out partying with fellas after work, even setting up a business meeting. Though we didn’t have a chance to try their signature burger, the P.A itself would stand out as an expat eatery in Yangon’s favorite dining list. Address: 42 Strand Road, Botahtaung Township, Yangon Tel: 01 392 263 Opens 11 am till late

New Openings

What’s new this month? Cuba • Bar The place is clean, tidy and the service is exceptional. Cuba Bar is the newest addition to a long list of bars at Urban Asia Centre. A nice place to hang after a long day’s work and just crack a few cold ones with your boys. Address: Urban Asia Center, 48th street, Mahabandula Road, Botahtaung Township, Yangon Tel: 09 42605 9629 Hours: 4pm till late

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Pizza maru • Korean As the name suggests, Pizza Maru is bringing you quality pies made with a variety of different toppings. A big franchise with branches in the US, Singapore, and its native origin, South Korea, here you can get loads of East-meets-West combinations such as the Carbonara Toppokki, and the Maru Chicken Cheese Tower. A place to check out if you’re into that kind of food.

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Unit 302E, 3rd floor, Myanmar Plaza. 192 Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon Tel: 09 977 735555 Hours: 9am - 9pm

Find out more at sarmal.com.mm

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Myuu Myuu • Asian Fusion At Myuu Myuu, you can get yummy traditional Burmese favorites as well as some Chinese and Thai. If you’re looking for options on where to eat your lunch, Myuu Myuu should be in your top 10. Why don’t you pop in for a meal, which is guaranteed to make think twice before choosing another place. Address: 662 Pyi Thar Yar Road, Thingangyun Township, Yangon Tel: 09 830 0426 Hours: 6am - 11pm

BART • Bar Barren concrete walls and a wooden adorns the word, “BART,” this bar is far from your usual night-out. It offers premium liquor and different types of beer; they also have an in-house bartender that will tend to your preferences. Of course, no awesome bar experience would be complete without a food menu to match with--for food, BART has all the traditional snacks and full course meals as well as some Western and Asian choices. Address: 501 Merchant Road, Corner of 39th Street, 8 Ward, Kyauktada Township, Yangon Tel: 09 2642 59422 Hours: 11am - 12am

Nga Pichat • Burmese What better way to tingle your taste buds than by indulging on some authentic spicy Burmese cuisine. At Nga Pichat, which roughly translates to “Fried Fish Paste,” you’ll be getting a really different perspective to what real Burmese food taste like. Grab a cucumber stick, dip it in some homemade fish paste, and crunch away. Address: 572, Corner of Lann Thit Street and Strand Road, 3(16.7750456, 96.1418828) Ward, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon Tel: 09 965 069934 Hours: 10:30am - 8:30pm

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Music

Photo by Djavanshir Nico

RANGOON RHYTHM:

ABNORMAL DECEMBER “Ruby ruby ruby ruby soho!” Rancid’s Tim Armstrong screams, sporting his mohawk -- which is one of many songs that inspired Eaiddhi, lead vocalist and guitarist of post-punk indie band Abnormal December. As he is also the guitarist of the band NO U-TURN, he’s not a new face to Myanmar punk music era. Min Pyae Sone reached out to him for a quick chat.

Coincidentally they released their first album “Trace” (Thel Loon Za) on December 2018, the band now has five memembers -- Eaiddhi, Thura Phyo Wai(Guitar), Jue Jue(Bass), Lukas(Drum), and Thiha Kyi Thar(Drum). Represented by Jam It! Records, the band is a promoter of new, budding indie bands. Inspired by the emo-wave of bands such as Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard Confessional, and the Used where melodic vocals and electronic instruments are implemented into a more traditional punk set of grunge guitars and fast drum rhythms, Abnormal December is the brainchild of Eaiddhi’s personal and other people’s experiences. Eaiddhi is also a founding member of Jam It!, along with his bandmate Ye Ngwe Soe (NO U-TURN).

Whereas local group names such as Big Bag and Iron Cross have achieved mainstream success, Eaiddhi is trying to let the masses know Abnormal December isn’t just another emo band with lyrics full of teenage angst. “I don’t want to force my music onto people, fans will eventually come if they like us… if following mainstream trends mean you’ll succeed, then everyone would be successful.” he told Myanmore, casually sipping his juice. “I started listening to 90s rock bands like Oasis... taking guitar lessons, that’s where I decided to start a band. Mostly because I saw these crazy wild concerts.” Tracks from their album “Trace,” are a mixture of both old and new. Some, he wrote during his days at NO U-TURN, and just set it aside because those were irrelevant to the punk genre. “These songs are much deeper than my ‘punk’

songs yet more genuine emotion,” he explains to me. The songs are connected to each other, as if it’s a story being told to the heartbroken, misunderstood listener. While it may be easy to sing along to, the meaning of each verse has its own dark gloomy sentimentality. “We wanted to convey the emotions behind the ambiguous phrase of ‘losing someone you love’.” For example in their title song Thel Loon Za, he sings about how all these memories cluster up to make him long for a second chance. His outlook for the Indie music scene in Myanmar and the distribution of new music was expressed in eager, “There aren’t many pirated CDs but the increase in online leaks (people ripping the songs and making them downloadable) has made it difficult to new contenders to make a living.

CD sales have nose-dived and people expect to make it big just after a few days.” With producers getting picky with their funding, it’s actually hard for newcomers with potential talent to get a chance of being heard. This, according to Eaiddhi, is the reason why he launched Jam It!. “As Jam It!, we want to showcase all these underrated bands, and select the very few we think are going to make it big”, Eaiddhi said. As both NO U-TURN and Abnormal December plan to release more tracks in the future, he won’t be going away from Yangon’s underground music scene any time soon. Follow abnormaldecember on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and JOOX music app.

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Apps

TECH TALK Our roundup of some of the best tech to enhance your life in Myanmar. Evernote Scannable

The document papers, sitting out in your camera roll can be now turned into high-quality scanned documents quickly via Scannable, by simply pointing your camera towards the documents, business cards or contracts. You can now arrange your papers whether on the go, or at the office, and send them on their way. Save time, save your storage too! Planoly

Ever wondered how social influencers create aesthetic Instagram feeds? Visual management made easy-- Planoly allows everyone to create their own visually pleasing feeds using the drag-anddrop feature to try out different pictures before actually posting them. You can schedule your posts to reach out to the right audience at the right time as well-- comes in handy especially for your business profile. Distiller

Distiller is a classy app where you can collect the information on alcoholic beverages before you actually spend a dime. The panel of experts and a growing community of spirit fans discuss through the written reviews and sharing their own beverages tastes in the app which is indeed enlightening!

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