It is good in Myanmar.

Salam, good day. It is my 7th day in Myanmar, so far has been so good. Although we face difficulties in terms of communication, but then it's not as hard as we would have been expected. The people here very polite to others, they work hard too. Also, there is no beggars around town or anywhere else.

We do know they have been isolated for decades, but they are not far behind. By looking the way how they live their life, it teaches me how to be appreciative of my good life back in Brunei. We are blessed in Brunei Darussalam!

Since the release of Pro-Democracy of Aung San Suu Kyi, currently Myanmar is growing and they attracts more foreign investors to come over. One of their city here Nay Pyi Taw is one of the fast growing city in the world.

But In order to attracts more foreign investors, Myanmar need to improve their information and telecommunication system to the highest level. Because it is strange if you are able to received sms but unable to reply? But I'm sure in few months time it will happen.

Also in Myanmar, please make sure to bring a lot of cash, they didn't accept transaction using credit cards. Not only the small shops, but the big department store didn't recognise what is master card nor the visa card. But its good too, to avoid me doing too much shopping:)

Morning workout at hotel's gym (I am staying at Park Royal Yangon). The man in white shirt (*didn't get his name) has represented Myanmar in body-building during the SEA Games in 1987 Jakarta, 1989 in Kuala Lumpur and 1991 in the Philippines. Whilst his wife was also an athletes, won a gold medal in three consecutive SEA Games in discuss-throw.

Myanmar Traditional music

Taken at Youth Training Centre, Yangon.

Unexpected.

Salam, good day. Hope everybody is doing fine with their daily routine and may always keep on improving in what you have done. I also hope that everybody would appreciate the task given to them, raise up their initiatives and work hard to achieve their goals.

Alright, my blog has been outdated for months (*sorry for that) which is due to the hectic months of September. I did attend so many events and functions but my job does not permits me to take any photos (*I can’t do two jobs at one time). Also, I almost forgot the story about the events and functions that I have attended. So, rather than telling the wrong facts, I think its better not to tell at all.

Okay, currently I was in Yangon, Myanmar on official assignment. What can I tell you about this country, it has a lot to offer be it in the matter of businesses, tourisms etc. Many uniqueness you can find and see here in Yangon.

As for myself, soon after landed at Yangon International Airport via Singapore the airport does impressed me so well. The cleanliness, the cargo systems, immigration does not fit the story we’ve read in the international newspaper or the one what we have seen or heard on the international news cable.

Although the road traffic system is not as good as we did have back in Brunei (the drivers here are very daring), but the Burmese are very polite. I won’t touch on politics, but they are very good people here regardless of their race and religion.

Actually Yangon is the capital city the Republic of The Union of Myanmar. The population in Yangon itself was about 5 million (2010) out of 53.4 million population. With the total area of 677,000 square kilometres, Myanmar is the largest country in mainland Sotheast Asia.

The currency they use here is Myanmar Kyats, BND$1.00 is equivalent to MK 691.000. Most money changer here prefer USD$ or SGD$. Alright, my pics below do tell more stories:)

While on transit in Singapore. 

*Whose name is on the monitor? This is way cool...

The wheel & the driver for us in Yangon, Myanmar.
His name is Mr.Shwe.

Actually the road traffic system in Myanmar is meant for left-hand-drive but most cars are right-hand-drive. Hmmm...

Youth Training Centre, Yangon. Team Brunei Darussalam as well as Team Myanmar during warming-up prior to their first match. 

Media area at the stadium 

Personnels from Brunei Embassy in Myanmar was among the spectators for match Brunei Darussalam vs Myanmar. *White shirt with a sling bag on is Masli Abdurrahman, 3rd Sec. In this match Brunei lose by a single goal.

This cost at BND$5.13. In Brunei only cost you BND$4.++ 

Hell of a price, BND$24.00! 

This is way cheap, BND$2.50! 

A lot to offer at Bagyoke Market

We bought 'Lon Gyi' here, similar to kain sarong.

Myanmar also very famous for its Jade, I bought one here.

My colleagues infront an antique shop

Can you read that red board? 

This small book provided by Brunei Embassy is very helpful

Quick visit to Shwendagon Pagoda 

This huge Shwendagon Pagoda is made up of a solid gold. The height is about 326 feet and the gold weight at 3 tonnes. This pagoda is 2,500 years old!

It took at least one hour for tourist to have a look around the pagoda 

Soon after the visit, my favourite activities.

I'm not sure if we have this or not in Brunei. But I think we should have one, so good.

Aidilfitri still here.

Salam, good day. I would like to wish my fellow muslims Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, may all having a wonderful and blessed Eid (Aidilftiri). For me, this year's Eid is much better one compare to last year in terms of our preparation (spent less) and visits.

Working throughout the holy month of Ramadhan and Syawal has been very challenging for me. As a servant we are unable to avoid such hectic times whilst at the same time we are thinking of the preparation for the festive seasons.

Lastly, I wish all my fellow muslims a wonderful and blessed Aidilfitri:)

I'm not so sure who teaches the kids how to pose for photo... 

Here you could see how the posture goes... 

...but this boy, he didn't want to sit up properly!

Last ten days.

Salam, good day. Here we are again in the last ten days of Ramadhan. This is most awaited part of Ramadhan in which muslims all over the world are asked to double up their effort to seek forgiveness and blessing from Allah subhanahu wata’ala.

How I wish the whole year is Ramadhan but now it almost leave us. Although in a couples of days we are going to celebrate Aidilfitri, but the spirit of Ramadhan has never gone by. Ramadhan has offers a lot to muslims and the muslims knows that.

Whilst some of the thick-pocket even perform ‘umrah’ (visit to Mecca) during this holy month in order to gain more rewards from the Almighty once they perform ‘ibadat’ (muslim practices) in the holy land.

In the meantime while others are busy with their preparation for the upcoming Aidilfitri, I was still doing final touch-up at my workplace. Although this is going to be very tough, but it seems very enjoyable. May Allah bless us with forgiveness, Ramadhan Al-Karim:)

...and today the Republic of Singapore turns 47^th. I have mixed emotions when it comes to Singapore. More than 50% of my travelling percentage is heading to this modern city state. I really like this place, the Singaporean knows how to run up their Singapore brand which deserves admire. This tiny island is very impressive in many aspects, they are very strong financially and economically. There is a lot to write about Singapore but I just don’t want to sound exaggerated. But that’s it!

I would like to wish all my friends there a Happy National Day, be proud of your country!

Talking about food in Singapore, it has been their favourite past times and it has been my favourite too. So, I can't afford to miss out on this food (pic) once I was in Singapore. My number one of course Nasi Lemak Adams Road (pic above). So damn good!

Mutton Soup at Boon Keng at 2nd place 

Mutton Biryani at Zam Zam, Arab Street goes 3rd. 

Sup Kambing Merah, MA Deen Biasa at Jalan Sultan came 4th.

Garrett Pop Corn Macademia Caramel Crisp came 5th. 

 Satay at Stall No.8 at Lau Pa Sat came 6th

Whilst Putu Piring at Geylang goes 7th in my Singapore itinerary 

My well known Singapore friends Ibrahim Jamil (in batik) and Isadhora Mohamed (in blue)

Both Razak Rahim and Nona Kirana are also very well known there

A very good man Mr.George Yeo, once the top diplomat of Singapore. 

We still keep in touch.

This is during my recent visit along with Mrs to the Republic, we went to The Universal Studios at Sentosa.

I love this.

Salam, good day. Alhamdulillah, the holy month of Ramadhan is here again and as to my blog time we are now in the 11th day of fasting. When Ramadhan comes, meaning no morning coffee or tea, no bread and eggs, no kuay teow or kolo mee and so on and so on.

Fasting in the month of Ramadhan is regarded as one of the Rukun Islam and it is a compulsary or a must for muslims as long as they are healthy, physically fit and came to the age  of maturity (Akil Baligh).

Fasting is not only the case of no eating and no drinking from sun up to sun down, but it is also forbids the muslims of bad thoughts and of course it teaches the observer to be self discipline.

For some, fasting from dawn until sun set was a burdensome but it was actually the best way of self reflection and to know better on how the underpriviledged live their daily life in such difficulties.

Since the start of Ramadhan over a week ago, a lot of activities being organised be it locally or internationally.

However the most followed is the London Olympics 2012. Three of our National athletes Maziah Mahusin, Awangku Hafiy Tajudin Pengiran Rositi as well as Anderson Lim has made their presence in London and has made our nation so proud.

After a controversial pulled-out four years ago in Beijing, we hope the three athletes would take this opportunity to develop their skills and perfomance for their future participation:)

Last eight.

Salam, good day. EURO 2012 came to the quarter final stage now with the last eight teams is gearing up to give out their best. After 12 days of entertaining football, now it's time to get another electric performances from europe's best teams.

Although both the co-host Poland and Ukraine failed to go through but I'm sure the tournament are still able to attracts the spectators to fill up the stadiums, impressive venues I should say.

Both the host nations has provided a world class stadiums and facilities throughout the tournament and they deserved positive assessment for this effort. 

In all the 24 matches played, we have seen spectacular goals, couples of upsets, great comebacks as well as controversial decision.

Not much of unexpected teams are through but in my opinion Greece and England are lucky to be in this stage. Few pundits expects Russia to go through but Greece has made it from Group A. Whilst for England, Roy Hodgson has done a good job in less than a month to form a group of players who is playing a very organised football and finished top in Group D.


In this quarter finals, it was a fair draw I assume but the likes of Germany and Spain are still the hot favourites. However the mighty Italian and France as well as Portugal were also the teams to beat.


The quarter finals kick starts later this morning at 0245 hours: Czech Republic to play against Portugal. Let's hope more matches to remember is coming up, more attractive football will be on show in EURO 2012:)


News on UEFA website:

Czechs warned to give Portugal no quarter
De Rossi looking to lay English ghosts

Greece keeping things in perspective

Blanc keen to consign Sweden result to history

Bukan Kerna Nama

 Jangan kau pandang bibir yang manis, kerna dia bisa menghancurkan

Jangan kau pandang wajah yang indah, kerna dia bisa meracun mu

Dengarlah hai teman, dengarkan bersama

Aku menulis bukan kerna nama

Kerna sifat kasih, pada sesama insan

Dan menyatakan kasih sayangku

Kita sama, semuanya sama

Apa yang ada hanyalah kehidupan

Jangan kau dengar puisi dusta

Kerna dia merosakkan jiwamu

Dengarkanlah puisi di pusaka, yang telah turun menurun hari ini

Dengarlah hai teman, dengarkan bersama

Aku menulis bukan kerna nama

Kerna sifat kasih, pada sesama insan

Dan menyatakan kasih sayangku

Kita sama, semuanya sama

Apa yang ada hanyalah kehidupan

Ini adalah satu kehidupan

Hanyalah satu kehidupan...

Jangan kau alas hatimu itu, dengan secebis warna kehitaman

Dialah seperti anai-anai, lambat laun hancurlah dirimu

Dengarlah hai teman, dengarkan bersama

Aku menulis bukan kerna nama

Kerna sifat kasih, pada sesama insan

Dan menyatakan kasih sayangku

Kita sama, semuanya sama

Apa yang ada hanyalah kehidupan

Ini adalah satu kehidupan

Hanyalah satu kehidupan...

lalala lalala lalala...

lalala lalala lalala...

-Ramli Sarip-