JETTING OFF TO SINGAPORE AND MYANMAR

The last few hours before departure are always a frenzy of packing, leaving lists for Roy and more. Thankfully it always seems to get done. This time is no different, and I am getting it done!

Newark to Hongkong, 16 hours, a short layover, and then a few hours to Singapore for a few days. In 2009 when last here, it was Chinese New Year and I stayed in a hotel on Temple Street in Chinatown with friends Jean and Bill. Now I will be with Habitat friends met five years ago on the Carter work project in Thailand.

On Monday, November 9, an early flight to Yangon for a nice long many-days time in Myanmar. It was in 2011 that I was last here and with a great tour guide visited the "must see" highlights. 

NANCY AT SHWEDAON PAGODA, 2011

Most famous of these is the Shwedagon Pagoda. It has been called the most sacred and impressive Buddhist site. The main Pagoda stands at close to 110 meters and is covered with hundreds of gold plates, as well as encrusted with more than 4,500 diamonds including one of 72 carats.

There is a family connection to this country. My father's brother, Herbert Gregory, worked for the US government ASID and beginning in 1958 served in the country. Known as Burma in those years, it seemed to us, to be very far away. Burma is now Myanmar and Rangoon is now Yangon. So, what's in a name? All is unchanged. 

Lucky for us, Uncle Herbert was a prodigious letter writer and regaled us with his work and exploits in the back country. He surely would have made numerous trips to post his letters from the general post office. When I walked through the building, its wooden stairs showing years of wear, I felt that I was walking in his footsteps. And yes, I also posted some mail as he had done so many times.

YANGON POST OFFICE BUILD 1936. PHOTO BY NANCY, 2011.

This time I will bypass Shwedagon for sights in the back streets but will return for another cocktail at the bar of the famous Strand Hotel, dating from 1901 and one of the most outstanding 5-star grand colonial hotels in south-east Asia. Stay tuned.