MINGALABAR - MYANMAR IS ANOTHER JEWEL IN OUR BACKYARD

The most iconic feature in Yangon is Shwedagon Pagoda. It looks so tranquil reflected in the waters of this lake. I spent eight days discovering this "diamond in my backyard" (Myanmar).

The pagoda towers over a Yangon that is awakening with the morning sun.

At ground level. Myanmar people are extremely proud that out of relative poverty wealth can emerge. Many have contributed to purchasing some 60 tons of gold which have been "showered" on the stupa, unlike other pagodas which have gold paper stuck on them.Built some 2,600 years ago, it is the oldest pagoda in Myanmar.

Many valuable and important relics are stored within its extensive compounds. I dare not hassle a guess for the value of this jade Buddha statue which weighs many tons.

This was called Scott Market but renamed after the late Gen Aung San who obtained independence from the British and is the father of the current de facto leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The market sells a lot of stuff which to me appeal more to women. I would equate it to Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Min City and the Central Market of Phnom Penh.

The High Court Building is a stark reminder of British Colonial architecture. The British Colonial Masters left a large legacy of buildings which Myanmar architects and urban planners are trying to preserve.

A contrast of old and new.

Lunch in a Nasi Briyani restaurant. Some viewers may recognise Philip Gwee Peng Hong who is semi-retired there and joined us for lunch.

Nasi Briyani a la Yangon. It comes with a layer of bread which is broken open and the contents taken out for consumption in a separate utensil.

Turbo prop planes like this serve the internal fight market well as the road network leaves much to be desired.

Heho (pronounced Hei-ho) Airport is small and basic. Flight details are displayed on carried boards or on the walls while announcements are made by loudhailers. Morning departure flights are prone to delays as it's usually foggy.

Salamuni Temple in Taunggyi which formed part of a loop for us to travel from Heho Airport to Nyaung Shwe, the town to access Inle Lake. Taunggyi is somewhat similar in characteristics to Cameron Highland.

22-23 November are national holidays in Myanmar. In Taunggyi, a big balloon festival is held. Participants bring balloons which are filled with hot air and then released, some with fireworks attached to them. It's like a competition to see whose balloon is bigger and/or can fly higher. There was an incident there on 22 or 23 Nov when a balloon took off but did not attain the required height and came crashing down on fire plus setting off the fireworks. A great number of spectators died from burns and many were injured. It's often that such incidents happen during the festival. Notwithstanding, the residents insist that the festival will carry on as it's a long standing religious tradition.

The festival mood is abetted by stalls selling food like savoury fried fritters, cold drinks, beer and other stuff. Loud music is also played by mobile "sound ministries"

This is where the balloons are prepared for flight. They may be flown in the late afternoon and at night.

2,200 Stupas of Kakku.

A waitress in her traditional Pa O costume. Pa O is the biggest tribal denomination in Shan State.

Khun Myo, boss of the company which made our tour possible, hosted us to dinner at his house. He is a scholar, accomplished chef, skilled photographer (who leads photography tours himself) and successful entrepreneur doing home stays on Lake Inle too. He cooked the delicious Shan cuisine meal himself. Khun is in the background with his lovely family.

These were only the starters to pair with Myanmar-produced wine.