I like this part of Myanmar a lot. Kalaw has a mountain trekking feel to it which is the sort of environment I enjoy being in. The travelling market is here too adding colour and the local ethnic women are selling their goods. The trek is arranged through 'Uncle Sam' who set up his company 25 years ago and our guide is an 18 year old man called 'Noo Noo' He adds lots of information, humour and is a really good cook. I am here with Jane, Melani and Chris. A lo...

As I was walking home along Insein Road in Yangon, I came across a wonderful vehicle parked up on the roadside. I stopped to take in all the detail and to meet the owner who had stopped to carry out running repairs. I looked up Dodge trucks later on the Internet to discover that they had been built by the Americans for the Chinese army. I just loved the AA Burma badge on the front of the vehicle. A little piece of living history, here on the streets of Yangon...

Christmas in Asia is a totally different experience for me. I have treated myself to three nights in a nice hotel, which I booked four months ago. I have a lovely room with a balcony overlooking the lake and out towards Shwedagon. Nearby huge new construction work is taking place on hotels and shopping malls. Christmas Eve is spent on a rooftop setting overlooking Kan Daw Gyi lake and the towering Shwedagon pagoda with my great set of VSO volunteer friends. It'...

There are so many uniforms on display here ranging from the military and police through banks, mobile phone companies and security guards. 25 % of the country's MPs are from the military and they wear uniform in the parliament. The ruling NLD party also has a house style jacket and longyi which is worn. I am not too sure whether to take photos and sometimes ask permission if I see people on the streets. Most people are obliging but I would not feel it appropri...

It feels strange being in a mainly Buddhist country in 33 degree heat for the build up to Christmas. In early December, the first signs begin to appear including Christmas lights and decorations in supermarkets and restaurants.Artificial fir trees, some with golden reindeer appear outside shopping malls. As I am driven along the main road routes in Yangon, more buildings become lit up and more unusual Christmas sights appear like an illuminated Eiffel tower o...