from 'Helen's Myanmar Trip' by HelenIAM (September 2007)

Pyin Oo Lwin (2 nights):

Shared taxi (6500 kyat for front seat). Picks you up from your hotel if reserved in advance. About 1.5 hours. Stayed at Grace 1 which was a bit basic but heaps better than the Dahlia which I also checked out. Had a nice garden where I could have had brakfast had it not been cold and wet. Pyin Oo Lwin was a funny place and didn't feel hugely Burmese! Dropped some books off at the Sooni school run by Mr & Mrs Vaval. This is a kindergarten aimed at teaching English. Currently only 4 pupils are enrolled and in need of books and educational toys. I bought a few books from UK but also found some good ones in 7/8 store in Manadalay.

Highlight of Pyin was meeting Muu Muu in the La Vie art gallery at the back of the market. "Someone likes Paul Klee and Miro" I said. "Actually more Kandinsky" he said. Bumped into him a few hours later, had tea together, it felt like having tea with Picasso! Ended up buying one of his pictures. He exhibits in Yangon and Singapore and has another exhibition outside Myanmar in November. You can see more of his art in the Golden Triangle cafe.

Market was the best place to eat. More papaya mash! Botanical garden reminded me of England. People in the Chinese temple were lovely.