Myanmar as they emerge from the darkness

A fragile bridge in an uncertain region - www.statura.co.uk

I was very pleased to read the news article inferring that Myanmar is now prepared to join the world's community of nations, which means I hope that they are ready to treat their nationals with respect and dignity. The Burmese are on the whole a lovely gentle caring race of people, For the people of Myanmar have for far to long relied on their community and spiritual way of life to ensure that they are equipped to travel beyond the woes brought upon them by the oppression that they have endured at the hands of their military. For the Burmese people have had their calm and spiritual persona exploited to the extreme by the military junta that has controlled this country, we the west have stood by and allowed this oppression to happen.

Back in the 90's I had the privilege to work in Yangon as a consultant to their fledgling mobile telephony network, albeit my work lasted only for a short period of time, a matter of a few months. For one fleeting moment, about 12 to 15 years ago it looked as though they were about to rejoin the democratic world order, as they tried to embrace democracy. Global hotel chains rushed to Yangon to build and operate spectacular hotels of incredible quality, sadly as they did keep to the democratic discipline, these hotels have stood largely empty.

As for my reason to be there it was to advise them on the requirements required to implement a mobile telephony network across Myanmar. As they were attempting to embrace mobile telephony, as it looked as though they wanted to put in a network, then they were beginning to open up the country again.

During the period that I traveled to and from Myanmar, a journey that I found to be fraught with difficulty due to all of the procedural requirements to obtain visa's etc., I saw an infra-structure that was reminiscent of the war years across Europe. There were old Bedford lorries and buses which were easily 50 years old and were still operating as originally intended, it was as though the world had not moved on. For me this brought a kind of charm to my trips that was enjoyable to see and experience, but I left the country for better facilities so never really had to experience the practical impact for any period of time.

The ray of light from a distant divide www.theleadingvillasofbali.com

However, what was a surprise to me; was the presence of French nationals plying their trade. The French were involved in areas such as; Telephone exchange systems through to restaurants. I was advised by colleagues that I worked with to keep my own council should I be in any bars during my evenings, they were indicating the existence of French intelligence, a service who were there in Myanmar to protect French businesses from foreign competitors. I have no idea as to whether I brushed along side these guys so had no experience to say if this was true or not. But, I had certainly been advised to keep my own council and particularly around the bar of the Strand Hotel, a bar where the few expats that were in Myanmar frequented, I count embassy personal amongst the expats.

During one of my evening trips I had the good fortune to travel outside of Yangon, traveling on a main route for approx 10 miles, at which point we turned off the road and followed a dirt track for at least another 2 miles. Eventually we came across a beautiful newly painted white colonial house, this house was in the middle of a plantation, it had an arch stretching out from the front door/entrance whereby cars could drive through and stop underneath, this arch was reminiscent of a by gone era. You can imagine that in the days when colonial carriages were in use, that these carriages would draw under the arch and come to a complete halt, the colonial elite would then alight from such carriages. The front porch would then pass into a grand hall complete with sweeping staircase. This rather splendid building was an exclusive French restaurant, it came together with a French chef/owner, the food was of unbelievable quality. The restaurant was not over populated with tables but the tables that were there positioned in the various rooms, were all full with diners. 

I have digressed, it is interesting that the exploiters were indeed the exploited at the end of the day, as the Chinese were using Myanmar's resources to generate power and then send that power back to China netting little benefit to the Burmese. I would suspect that the military regime of Myanmar had long enjoyed the support of China. But this aside and for whatever reason they, the junta, have now come to the table and the people of Myanmar can take a breath and heave a sigh of relief. As for the west we should now embrace them and help them join the civilized community of nations. In so doing we should not dismiss the sacrifice that Aung San Suu Ky gave to support her people throughout this difficult period, for we should acknowledge her fortitude, her resilience her grace and poise as she endured those years confined to her home. Aung San Suu Ky deserves a role on the world stage as I am sure we have a new world states person in the guise of Aung San Suu Ky, she has displayed great humility, great dignity seen only when Nelson Mandela was released after years of confinement. Like Nelson Mandela she has not called for her oppressors to be brought to book for their oppression for she has sought to unify this country. I believe she has great courage and dignity a person who has respect for the values of the ordinary people! Indeed the world should look to her for guidance at this difficult time.

I hope we see this country quickly move forward, that they, the people improve their security, bring peace and stability, that their living standards quickly improve. I also believe that this country should open its doors so that many of us can easily see the temples that have formed the very spiritual backbone of the people of Myanmar. I hope that we can all experience the Shwedagon Paya (Pagoda) for this is a world renowned Buddhist Temple, located on a hill as it watches over all of Yangon. For this temple was built and established before the time of Christ. I for one am lucky enough to have visited this wonderful monument.

Good luck Myanmar

                        ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo000oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The reason for my part in this country is due to my International business experience of helping Western companies to establish Asia offices. You can see my experience at: http://www.statura.co.uk

To view the many Bali Villas that have graced the Exclusive label for their style, charm and just sheer opulence then visit http://www.theleadingvillasofbali.com or for a more comprehensive list, equally stylish then visit http://www.bookingvillasinbali.com.  For real value and splendid style then take a look at http://www.budgetvillasinbali.com

Seminyak and its many sophisticated attractions

Villa Atas Ombak A Luxury Villa from The Leading Villas of Bali

The Corner Store or is it the Tuck Shop as the menu implies, regardless of which this makes for a lovely bolt hole here in Seminyak.  The coffee is just enak or those english speakers it is delicious,  the atmosphere is lively and fun as it is a very popular location.

The only issue that I can see is that the location is on a very busy corner of Jalan Kayu Aya and Drupardi.  But for the coffee, the atmosphere, the noise is a small price to pay.

Seminyak remains one of the more fashionable areas of Bali, appealing to the upwardly mobile class usually with kids.  This area seems to me to be the evolution from Kuta as you settle into adult life, Kuta being the party district with a raucous behavior found on the streets as you pass through the night.  Seminyak on the other hand has many boutique villas for holiday rentals aimed at couples or couples with families.  There are many exclusive restaurants such as the Ku De Ta, as well as bars that appeal to the calmer elements of our society.  You will also find many boutique shops along the way as Bali is known for its style and contemporary designs, most of which you will find in the decor and beautiful stylish layouts of the villas themselves.

As I sit here and enjoy my second cup of coffee, I have noticed a shop across the way, it's a boutique with what looks like designer clothes the roof is of thatch and the sign says very simply Ï love Bali".  I am sure, in fact I have heard that that is a sentiment echoed by many as you pass through the Indonesian archipelago.   

A pleasant night out in Seminyak not from The Tuck Shop

Having said that I have noticed over my 16years of being here in Indonesia that many of the 250M or so Indonesians all aspire to live in Bali. If you pass around Bali you will see many Europeans, Australians even Americans have made Bali their home.  All this bodes well for the many positive tombs that I have blogged in regard to this wonderful place.

I have just been passed a cold towel from the "Tuck Shop" staff as I am in the outside area of the "Corner Store" and Bali as always does not disappoint when it comes to holiday weather.

I wish everyone well and I hope that some day you can visit this fabulous place of exciting style, seas and atmosphere.

To view the many Villas that have graced the Exclusive label for their style, charm and just sheer opulence then visit http://www.theleadingvillasofbali.com or for a more comprehensive list, equally stylish then visit http://www.bookingvillasinbali.com.  For real value and splendid style then take a look at http://www.budgetvillasinbali.com

 

 

Bali Safari and Marine Park

Bali Safari and Marine Park 

Another hot day in Paradise. A day that I spent at the Bali Safari Park, which I have to say was an amazing experience, one that was educational as much as it was enjoyable.  This Safari park prides itself on its educational programs which are designed and developed to informs us of ways to ensure that we the public live in harmony with our environment, an environment that we share with many other species. For this safari is home to many endangered and near extinct species, for its a safari that prides itself on its breeding programs to ensure as best it can that the blood lines continue.  The safari, predominantly a park for wild life (animals and birds) it also has a very informative Aquarium, with many types of fish including the infamous Piranha's.  As you walk around this park there are many places to seek out a cooling breeze as there are mist showers along many walk ways.  There are motorized enclosed air conditioned excursions that you can take which pass through the enclosures housing many of the wild and more aggressive animals.

The park has many lodges all of good quality that you are able to stay in.  The lodges back onto the carefully secured enclosures that house the many lions, tigers etc..  Also within the park are many restaurants, these are available for light or for the larger appetite meals.   The one that we chose is situated in the centre of the park as it had many glass walls which opened onto the lion enclosure.  The lions with all their status together with the male magnificent manes did not disappoint as they stayed close to the glass, perhaps because the building provided some shade.

All in all a great day out here in Bali and one that I highly recommend. 

For opportunities to stay here in Bali I suggest a visit to http://www.theleadingvillasofbali.com where you can choose an exclusive villa to rent for your holiday.  Or go see http://www.bookingvillasinbali.com for a more comprehensive range of Luxury Villas in Bali or http://www.budgetvillasinbali.com for the value properties that are of stunning quality and still boutique villas in Bali style. 

Aung San Suu Ky - Good luck as you now deserve it

I am somewhat pleased that Myanmar has been if you like brought in from the cold.  Its people are a lovely race who on the whole would do no harm to anyone.    Their calm and spiritual existence has been exploited to the extremes and we have stood by and allowed this to happen. 

I once had the privilege to work in Yangon albeit for a short period as they tried to embrace mobile telephony.  What I found inside this closed and difficult country was somewhat surprising.  I found an infrastructure that was reminiscent of the pre-wars years of Europe, buses plied their trade that were of the old BMC manufacture out of England, sSomehow this brought a charm to the place  However, the surprise was the presence of the French and I am told of existence of the French intelligence services, there to protect French businesses from foreign competitors, although I have no idea whether I brushed against any of these people but I was certainly advised to keep my own council, particularly around the bar of the Strand Hotel.  But what I did find as I had the good fortune to be taken outside of Yangon, about 10 miles perhaps, at which point we turned off the road and followed a dirt track for at least another 2 miles until we came across a beautiful white colonial house which had an arch reminiscent of the days when colonial carriages would pass under this under arch and the occupants would dis-embark for some banquet or other.  From here we passed into a grand entrance hall. For this house was indeed a French restaurant together with a french chef/owner, the food was unbelievable and of high standard.

I digress it is interesting that the exploiters were indeed the exploited at the end of the day, regardless of which and for whatever reason they have come in from the cold and we should now embrace them.  In doing this I hope we do not easily dismiss the sacrifice that Aung San Suu Ky gave in the support of the populaces, for her grace and poise as she endured those years confined to her home, for she deserves a role on the world stage as I am sure we have a new world states person in the guise of Aung San Suu Ky. She displayed great humility as she re-entered the political stage, it was of similar order to that of Mandella.   

I hope we quickly bring this country up to scratch and that we improve the living standards of this impoverished nation.  I hope that many of us can now easily see the temples that form this beautiful country.  I also hope that we can all experience the Shwedagon Paya (Pagoda) the world renowned Buddhist Temple which was built and established before the time of Christ,  I for one have had the opportunity to visit this wonderful monument.

   
Good luck Myanmar.

   

The reason for my part in this country is due to my International business experience of helping Western companies to establish Asia offices.  You can see my experience at: http://www.statura.co.uk

Myanmar as it emerges onto the world stage

I am somewhat pleased that Myanmar has been if you like brought in from the cold.  Its people are a lovely race who on the whole would do no harm to anyone.    Their calm and spiritual existence has been exploited to the extremes and we have stood by and allowed this to happen.  A European consultancy experienced in Asia business and assisting western companies to open an Asian presence 

I once had the privilege to work in Yangon for a short period as they tried to embrace mobile telephony.  What I found inside this closed and difficult country was somewhat surprising.  I found an infrastructure that was reminiscent of the pre-wars years of Europe, buses plied their trade that were of the old BMC manufacture out of England.  Somehow it brought a charm to the place  However, the surprise was the presence of the French and I am told of the French intelligence services although I have no idea whether I brushed against any of these people, but I was certainly advised to keep my own council particularly around the bar of the Strand Hotel.  But what I did find as I had the good fortune to be taken outside of Yangon, about 10 miles perhaps, at which point we turned off the road and followed a dirt track for at least another 2 miles until we came across a beautiful white colonial house which had an arch reminiscent of the days when colonial carriages would pass under and the occupants would dis-embark for some banquet or other.  From here they would pass into a grand entrance hall. This house was indeed a French restaurant together with a french chef/owner, the food was unbelievable and of high standard.  

Luxury exclusive Villas in Bali I digress it is interesting that the exploiters were indeed the exploited at the end of the day.  But for whatever reason they have come in from the cold.  I hope we do not easily dismiss the sacrifice that Aung San Suu Ky gave in the support of the populaces, for her grace and poise asshe endured those years confined to her home, for she deserves a role on the world stage as I am sure we have a new world states person in the guise of Aung San Suu Ky. For her grace and poise displayed as she re-entered the political stage was of similar order to that of Mandella.    I hope we quickly bring this country up to scratch and that we improve the living standards of this impoverished nation.  I hope that many of us can now easily see the temples that form this beautiful country.  I also hope that we can all experience the Shwedagon Paya (Pagoda) the world renowned Buddhist Temple which was built and established before the time of Christ,  I for one have had the opportunity to visit this wonderful monument.  

Good luck Myanmar. Comprehensive list of luxury villas across Bali 

The reason for my part in this country is due to my International business experience of helping Western companies to establish Asia offices.  You can see my experience on http://www.statura.co.uk

The return of the frustrated traveller

Exclusive Villas in Bali Back from my expensive travels to Jakarta whereby I passed my papers over to the intrepid shippers then sat in the airport for several hours as I waited their return.

I have to say I took Air Asia to Jakarta and exited the plane in T3 which is a lovely airport terminal, modern light and airy.  There were plenty of places to sit and all areas had an abundance of free WIFI so all in all a very pleasant experience.

Luxury Villas in Seminyak

In all the years that I have been coming to Indonesia I have seen many changes.  From 1995 when the road from the airport to the city passed through a large building site which is now the road that passes from the airport to the city.  In 1996 around February time the rains were intense causing this area to flood seriously making a simple journey from the airport impossible and one that I made took some 12 hours.  Today you can slip easily from the Soekarno International airport to downtown Jakarta in a matter of less than 1 hour.  So with a modern airport in parts a relatively new road, a visit to Jakarta which is fast becoming a very modern metropolis is indeed a must see.

Jakarta or Indonesia with 250M people then this country is a force to be reckoned with as it would appear to me that Indonesians are getting richer.  Their infra-structure is fast improving which only means an economic power house is fast emerging.  I would very much like to extend my warm wishes to the government of Indonesia in the way that they have embraced democracy and the steps they have taken to improve the lot of the Indonesian people.  Of course they have a few areas in which to address which are quite critical to the long term credibility of this fledgling economic power house.  But I remain convinced that this country is indeed to the place to be right now.

For me I have passed my time with my current hobby of building websites for successful businesses here in Indonesia and other parts of the globe.  Take a look at the wonderful quality, style and design of Indonesian Bali Villas that are available for rental for exclusive Villas then look at www.theleadingvillasofbali.com or www.bookingvillasinbali.com or for value then www.budgetvillasinbali.com 

Removals and their geographic knowledge

Blog Dec 22^nd 2011

Today’s Blog – Thursday 22^nd December 3 days before Christmas.  Frustrating day really here in Paradise, except that I am not in Paradise as I have slightly stepped outside of the wonderful relaxing Island of Bali, I have traveled to Jakarta.  Why would I want to travel to Jakarta?  well that’s the frustrating part.  Having departed from the UK at the appropriate time with the onset of Winter.  I chose a shipper to send all of my chattels and worldly goods to Bali to embark on a new life full of hope and prosperity which I remain convinced it will be.Luxury Villas in Seminyak, Private Holiday Villa rentals in Bali

The wonderful UK shippers have sent all of my goods to be cleared in Jakarta.  For those of you who know Indonesia you will know that it is a land mass equivalent to a distance from London to Tehran.  There are many ports in which to clear customs and Jakarta need not have been the one.  

Private Villa Holiday rentals Bali, luxury Villas in Bali 

So despite my protestations it would appear to me that the UK shippers Brittania couldn’t care less.  Regardless of which I have now travelled here to Jakarta to present all of my documents to verify my mortal existence and worthiness of the mere bag tail that I call my homely possessions.

So for those of you who are to embark on such a venture ensure that your shipper understands the world geography and doesn’t as it would appear liken Indonesia to that of the Isle of Wight.

To plug my wonderful creative skills (haha tongue in cheek)  plus an idyllic view of Bali take a look at 3 websites that I have developed in fact 4 www.theleadingvillasofbali.com,  www.bookingvillasinbali.com, www.budgetvillasinbali.com, and a slight deviation www.matthewsrestoration.co.uk

Lake Batur and its surrounding area is a fascinating part of Bali in which to visit.  The lake itself sits within the crater of the Batur Volcano and has many fascinating stories to tell as it laps the outer rim of this volcano.  The scenery is quite picturesque as there are several large hills that frame the landscape.  Depending on the time of day; if you visit in the morning,  you’re sure to see a clear blue sky and with a backdrop of a rugged landscape, for the afternoon the landscape will most probably be adorned with wild clouds that cling to the hills obscuring their peaks, they themselves make for a wonderful  image as you snap your way around this area.

Luxury Villas in Seminyak Exclusive Villas in Bali 

The weather is very pleasant as you will have climbed some considerable height/distance to visit this crater making a day out here a welcome experience and respite from the wonderful Balinese sunshine.

Sitting on the far side of the lake and sandwiched between the water’s edge and the rim of the mountain is a mysterious village.  It is mysterious not because its inhabitants are known to be the indigenous Balinese as they predate the Hindu settlers to this island who arrived in the 16^th Century from the Hindu Majapahit kingdom.  This village is famous for the Pura Pancering Jagat temple, sadly visitors are not allowed inside this temple.  The villagers of this historic island only contact with the outside world is by wooden boats as no roads are able to reach this village.

They, like most cultures have customs of their own which are unique.  Most notably, unlike that of their more in touch neigbours, they bury their dead (bury being the operative word here) above ground wrapped in bamboo, the body is then taken by wooden boat across the lake to an area which is at the foot of a large Tree called the Taru Menyan.  Taru means “tree” and Menyan means “pleasant smell" there the body is left to decompose naturally.  It is said that there is no smell from the decomposing body as the Taru Menyan tree more than compensates for these odors.

It is also said that the area around this tree can only be visited by the men folk of the village, a visit from a women would bring untold disaster upon the village, such as an eruption from the volcano, therefore women are prohibited from visiting the area. 

This area is a must see for anyone wishing to have a more rounded knowledge of the region - stay with a licensed villa agent.

To do business in Asia then visit http://www.statura.co.uk

A Perfect environment to relax and re-connect with famiy life

As an Englishman who has lived and worked in the Asia region for some 20 years, I am a complete convert to this way of life.  To mention Bali without covering the virtues of the rest of Asia, well that just shows that I have high regard for the Bali way of life.  Bali has embraced an "open living" concept, they have done this with style and elegance.  The Balinese have created some of the most stylish, creative living space to be seen anywhere on this planet.

Villa holidays in Bali are a complete must for anyone seeking to just get away from modern day life, from being at the beck and call of an unstructured a work place made so by modern communications.  That's not to say that Villas are devoid of communication quite the opposite they are brimming with technology but it is all within your space, whether you are by your own pool, over lunch or just watching TV with a glass of wine.  There is no need to break away into a secluded hotel room to stay in touch with a pesky boss. Luxury Villas in Bali

Villas are perfect for re-connecting with families and balancing a work family life environment.

For a comprehensive list of Villas in Bali refer: http://www.bookingvillasinbali.com 

or for Exclusive Villas refer to: http://www.theleadingvillasofbali.com 

To understand how to do business in Asia refer to: http://www,statura.co.uk