We are back home, safe and sound from Yangon!

This trip is the beginning of my love story with SHC travelling group.  We had so much fun, laughter, food, entertainment and dancing throughout the short trip.  I’m sure most of my fellow travellers will agree with me.

We have to thank the following people who had made this possible –

  • Terence for initiating and leading the group;

  • Susan for making the hotel arrangements and rooming list

  • Peri for looking after the financial aspects

  • Gentlemen for their tender loving care in looking after the ladies

  • Frisna for providing free entertainment on board

  • And any other SHC’cian who had in one way or another contributed to the success and smooth running of the tour.
  • Last but not least, all the supportive ‘seow seow’ audience who were so receptive to all kinds of jokes, Q & A grilling by our infamous reporter from CNA, CNN to CBS, without whom, we would not have had so much enjoyment during the trip!

A comical star was born on 8 November 2013, Day 3 of the trip.  It was spontaneous and so hilarious that we all almost died laughing so hard and many can’t stop laughing even after the show ended.  So, fellow travellers, please share your experience with everyone here.

I’m looking forward to the next trip led by Terence, either to Taiwan, India or Sri Lanka.  Have passport and money will travel !

26 thoughts on “We are back home, safe and sound from Yangon!”

  1. Group 1 returned home with avocadoes, oranges and cashew nuts.
    Group 2 returned home with vegetables (asparagus, yam, honey, etc)
    Terence got a special bottle of ‘hot’ oil waiting to try it out in Bangkok.
    I got home with a hangover and fond memories of Yangon!

  2. Hi everyone

    Yup, agreed … I had so much fun and laughed so hard that I lost my voice … aargh!

    The most exciting part of our trip is the birth of the ‘Seow Seow’ show with ‘Seow Char Boh’ ~ hahaha ~ Will leave to Terence/Frisna to share with everyone here.

    Oh yes, our Chief bought a teeny-weeny bottle of magic love potion costing 8000 Kyatts which can cause ‘miracles’ for silver-haired guys. Ooohlala ~ I’m sure he’ll be more than willing to share his fascinating and sensuous experience before and after using this magic love potion in Bangkok. He left for Bangkok after the Myanmar trip.

    Cheers :-) :-) :-)

  3. Yup, Theresa and I ate their local Mohinga and another hawker fare at the roadside stall – and asked for more soup just to copy what their fellow customers did la.

    Brought home 4 big avocados, small packet of fried haybee, few packets of asparagus, lots of Myanmar Chinese tea, even some packets of fried garlic toppings (curious how it tastes like fried Myanmar style). Showed my Myanmarese maid all the photos and told her stories of all the adventure trips, except Golden Rock (sorry folks, I have a metal implant on my spine body – I try to avoid bumpy rides – that’s why I couldnt join you all) and she was so thrilled that we really took so much interest in her hometown and now she has renewed her contract with me, and she is not going home, so whooo-weee, that leaves me with some free time on my hands!

    Gracias, gracias, Terence our tour leader who had a lot on his hands managing everybody, and we even counted him for his share for the tips for the tour and hotel room. I guess we rewarded him with the intangibles – a bunch of crazy travellers and the free services of our excellent gifted onboard CNA, CNN, BBC news reporter, all rolled into one, the ever-energising “Ms Hsiao”, who else, none other than our celebrity drama queen, Frisna Tan. Thanks, dear, for entertaining us all the way for more than 1 hour journey that before we knew it, we had arrived at our destination too soon, all because we enjoyed the entertaining chat show show hosted by her.

    Cheers!

  4. Thank you Terence & Susan for making this wonderful & memorable trip possible. Although I had been to many other tours but this is one of the most enjoyable & memorable one especially the hilarious entertainment from our talented live wire ms Frisna, who is the reporter from CNA, then upgraded to CNN with world wide coverage and interviewing the also seow seow members including Terence who bought a bottle of Tongkat Ali oilment for body massage. Terence please dun forget to tell us about your experience with the Golden Rock 8000 kyatt Tongkat Ali ointment. Please give the measurements as in the bus interview before and after usage. Would like to also thank everyone in the group for the warm and caring companionship. Look forward to join the next tour with Terence. Cheers..

  5. Terence
    Thank you for organizing a truly unforgettable holiday for me. Not forgetting Susan CH Tan for all the running tasks. Appreciate it very much.

    Awesome. Andrew Yeung latest dance craze. Aerobic dance steps on the dance floor with Disco music. He made me jump up and down. But fun and lots of laughter. He also taught me a few sombie steps. Thank you Mr. YoUng. Excuse my typo error, hehe.

    I would luv to thanks my room mates for the 7 days pleasant time. Cheers!

    Thank you everyone again and Frisna the seow seow show.

    Terence, I am looking forward to the Sri Lanka and India trip ya.

  6. Shared a little of my trip in Myanmar.
    I noticed the people in Myanmar generally very shy and traditional, but overall lovely and kind. Many don’t speak English mainly because of that they are very reserved. Most men and women wear longyis. Women use tanaka (white powder) make up on their face. Maybe the weather is hot, they want to keep their faces cool. Hope i am right.
    The hotel we stayed is in the middle of busy Chinatown. Every morning when we walked out of the hotel we can see numerous hawkers lined up along the streets and walkway. Is rowdy but interesting. Lots to buy back especially fresh foodstuffs.
    You can see in the post, our friends bought many foodstuffs home. I hardly cook so I didn’t shop much except “Salted Fish” and “Fried Dry Shrimps”. I steamed the yam to eat this morning. Is chewy and a little sweet hence i didnt add in sugar. I heard Yam helps to control blood pressure, a good source of potassium.
    If you guys intend to make a trip to Myanmar, don’t forget to bring extra bags for your foodstuffs.
    Also, noticed many people there especially taxi drivers they chewed betel nuts as pass time. Their teeth has a reddish brown and they spit out on the floor when finished. This aspect of Myanmar I didn’t like too much.
    There are quite a few Sporean Restaurants. One of them is called the “Singapore Kitchen”. We were there 2 times for dinner. Served nice local food especially the Fish Head Curry, friend Kang kong and many others. Thumbs up for their food.

    Bye for now. Myanmar is now a place you must go, before it changes ok.
    I believe many others would love to share their Myanmar holiday experience with you guys out there.
    Cheers

  7. Thanks Lin and all for sharing on this interesting trip n hilarious trip. Can imagine the fun and laughter u all had. Nice!
    I had been to Yangon and it is indeed a place worth visit. My friend bought me the yellow cake where you mixed with water and apply on the face. It’s cooling and serves as a sunblock too. Yes, there are lots of hawkers along the streets and in the big market. People are very friendly and nice there…Raw cashew nuts were recommended to me among many many other food stuff. Lots of jade, handicraft, silver wares and the list goes on. Guess you all have seen.
    Very impressed with the huge temple, a Myanmese restaurant within the entire ship docked on mainland and a spot complex which housed orphans training different kind of sports….Looking forward to see your fond memories captured in photos ;-)

    janie

  8. Hi Friends

    Thank you for posting your comments and sharing your Yangon trip experience here.
    It’s a love affair for me already and I would like to keep my love affair going for a long, long time. Will travel with SHC’ians again! So, I have to start saving already, hor. Next year, Terence may lead a hilltop tour to somewhere in Malaysia or Taiwan. Right or not, Terence?

    What I love about this Yangon trip:
    1) I have the most accomodating and sweet room mate who would do things for me. I’m a hot milo person and I need milo in the morning. On Day 2, we have to wake up at 0400 to prepare ourselves for the Golden Rock trip but how to make milo without hot water in the morning. My room mate, Gabriella bought 6 packets of milo, tucked them into her suitcase and presented them to me after check-in. I was so touched! Love you lots, Gab and thanks a million, muaksss!

    2) Gabriella was very tolerant of my idiosyncrasies. She is a very organised person, neat and tidy. Whereas, I’m not. My things were strewn all over my bed. She just sat on her bed trying to comprehend what the hell I was doing with so much stuff on my bed. I started blowing the balloons as she watched. She kept asking whether I was okay. In fact, I was half-dead from running to the loo during the day.

    3) The Mystery – I blew more than 10 balloons and stuck the job on the doors of our travel mates in the wee hours of Day 3. It was fun having friends going round to find out who did the ‘blow’ job. Kekekeke…. Got to blow cos my pump broke during packing. Too late to run out to get a replacement. Then, the fun started….. first with jokes, then with drama and then hilarious bursts of laughter – all the way till our tour ended.

    4) The people that I travel with – I have a different ‘ooomph’ experience each time I travel. This is the most enjoyable trip that I have had so far! I have more than half the troop, especially Terence, Gabriella, Frisna, Bira, Susan, Peri, Thomas, Bobby and Mega who would be looking out for me, asking if I was ok, asking if I needed medication, whether I needed a special seat on the truck, etc. I was literally pampered la. I didn’t pretend to be sick and I love you all. Thank you for making my day when I fell ill.

    5) Fine syncing in – In any adventure, I believe it is how much we want to enjoy ourselves and how to sync in with the group. Our group went crazy when our ‘reporter’, Frisna came on board ‘live’ with her commentaries. She was very witty, eloquent and sexy too! Hoo lala… have to see her in action.

    6) The country of visit – it was an eye-opener and a new experience to see the culture, taste the food, meet the people etc. Our tour guide, Tom and his team were a wonderful trio. Very accomodating, patient and humble. He was visibly moved to tears (he withheld them well) with the little tips we presented. A touching moment for my eyes.

    So much from me liao. Fellow travellers, please pen your thoughts in this post. Thank you.

  9. Dear Comrades,

    It was my maiden trip with SHC and I must admit that this had been a FUNtastic & enjoyable one.

    Sightseeing aside, we really had great fun, laughter together with all the ‘seow larng’ in our group, esp the ‘tua seow’ reporter (now I know this group of travellers fall under my SEOW clan, heeeeeee). Comradeship is very important in any group travel and I’m persuaded we had achieved this.

    And some insights of our holidays … We had
    – our tantalising welcome dinner at Singapore Kitchen (S’porean owner).
    The star dish butter fish head curry left with the dish CLEAN.
    – Birthday celebration for Frisna … haha US$5 birthday cake (you can imagine
    how big la) from Terence; and a small mooncake reward for Susan’s effort
    – 2 boogey nights at the Summit Parkview and Park Royal saw everyone on the
    dance floor, even Terence, enjoying thoroughly. Heard so much abt him
    but now I know how he is like after a few drinks!!.
    – a personalised bar tender concocting drinks for us … May Woo,
    shaking and tossing all over like a pro

    Myanmar has its natural charm, people, food & all and biz opps abound. Good to explore within the next 2 years before its being tranformed into a modern city. Where can you get a bowl of noodles @ 300kyat (S$45cts) huh??

    Thanks again Terence for making this possible and Susan for all your effort in room co-ordination. Certainly looking forward to Terence’s next destination.

    Cheers!

  10. I can’t attest more to all that May, Gabriella, Susan, Bobby, Lin and Teresa had shared.

    We had a wonderful time made possible by “Wobbly” Terrence, Susan, Peri, newly crowned “Siow Queen” Frisna and of course all the wonderful us too!

    The sights: shinning golden pagodas; men with sexy slim waists and buttocks in traditional longyis, er….hem……; trishaws with two passengers sitting back-to-back; er…. betel nut chewers spitting on the ground…..

    The sounds: butcher chopping the meats to the tune of blaring Burmese music in the wee hours of the morning below the window of my hotel room. The Burmese are actually quite gentle and tolerant people. Noticed a car horn is heard only when the driver is taken by surprise, otherwise they will give way most often than not…..

    The yummy yum yums: porridge with pig’s intestines and blood; the Mohinga, a traditional Burmese spicy been hoon or kuay teow soup which cost 300 kyat a bowl or 500 kyat with fritters added, sambal hay bee, crispy or luak with plenty of crab meat instead of ors, local sweet and juicy pamelos which cost 1,200 kyats each etc.

    Like I had mentioned in the Yangon group chat, I somehow now feel an intimacy with the group especially after all the caring and concern shown and the effects of Terence’s tongkat ali love potion. Oops………… I had let the cat out of the bag!!!!!

    Can’t wait to have more. I mean trips by the Chieftain of course!

    Till then…..

  11. Hi May

    Thanks for your kind words ~ viz letting out our ‘bedroom secrets’!

    You dunno a person until you live with him or her … True or False? Yup, indeed May and I clicked well as room-mates ~ one of my best ‘bedroom partners’ ever. Hahaha…

    Having a considerate, caring and accommodating room-mate cannot be overlooked. Thanks May for being one.

    Wd love to bunk with you again should there be another opportunity.

    Warmest regards…

  14. Just a clarification for Bobby. The small bottle of Tongkat Ali or whatever love potion that Terence bought is definitely not for body massage. If Terence used it for body massage, then he would have felt itchy all over his body! I noticed that he didn’t felt itchy but he was wobbly after a peg of whiskey or two.
    In Malaysia, Tongkat Ali is taken orally to increase a man’s libido. We really don’t know what is in that bottle. Perhaps Terence, if he had used it, could tells us how he had used that love potion and what sort of effect it had on his body or on his virility!
    Before we left for Yangon, Terence gave us the impression that the trip to the Golden Rock is arduous and some of us may have to get people to carry us on sedan chairs up to the Pagoda where the Golden Rock is situated, but that is not to be. True, the Golden Rock is a 4-hour drive, and about 160 km, from Yangon.

    The G Rock stands on a gilded boulder precariously perched on the edge of a hill, and it must be a miracle for it not to be toppled over thousands of years with earthquakes and what not. Imagine, it is so delicately balanced on the edge of a cliff and it has not toppled over. I thought I would need people carriers to carry me up to the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda where the G Rock is situated. But I was pleasantly surprised that from the Kin-Pon Base Camp, the local Truck drove 11 km to quite close to the Pagoda. We only had to trek up for about 10 minutes to reach the Golden Rock. [Pity the people carriers, they are now out of business.] So it was like a walk in a park, though the weather was hot!

    Besides the Golden Rock, which is a must visit if you are in Yangon, the other must visit is the Shwe Dagon Pagoda, which is Myanmar’s icon, and this must be the biggest Buddhist pagoda in the world. The magnificent golden stupa, the “heart” of Myanmar, is 2,500 years old, and is sheathed in 11 tons of pure gold and 4,350 diamonds weighing 1,800 carats! If only they would use all this wealth to build up Myanmar’s infrastructure, it would provide comfort and convenience to the many millions of poor people in Myanmar.

    Our tour guide, Tom, said that Shan state, near the Himalayas, in the north eastern part of Myanmar, is worth a visit. You would be able to see the Mong women with long-necks, do trout fishing and even ski during the winter season. I am looking forward to a trip there if there is good company. But for the immediate future, I am looking forward to our Chief’s next holiday to either Sri Lanka or India (Kerala), which Daisy thinks is romantic.
    Cheeers!

  15. Indeed the trip has ended, yet the following incidents would remain in my mind for sometime:-

    1. Our talented Seow Seow compere Frisna making everyone laughed till they dropped off their seats in the bus.
    2. May Woo giving a fantastic performance as a bartender at the disco (Terence in his tipsy stage thought she was only 14 yrs old!!); teasing with the drinks in her hands for a whole minute or two while Terence and Bobby looked on eagerly, and patiently waiting for their drinks to be handed to them. (Me wonders what exactly went through their minds?)
    3. Terence browsing at the stall selling the Tongkat Ali oil while others crowded around him, prompting him to make the purchase. Everyone knew the happy ending..he bought a bottle and flew to Bangkok! hehe.
    4. Daisy, Terence and Thomas enjoying their durian feast standing by the roadside.
    5. A group of us seniors seated on baby stools by the roadside having bean curd dessert.
    6. I was shocked to witness Terence giving a huge stack of Kyats to the receptionist at the hotel and asked that she helped herself to the amount he needed to pay. I think there was at least over 100,000 Kyats!! (US$100). Fortunately, she took only the required amount and returned the balance to him.
    For a moment, I had suspected he had a few drinks prior and was either tipsy or drunk.
    7. I need to highlight that it was a different Terence I saw after he had a few drinks; he was dancing so freely on the dance floor. I remember he once said that he had 2 left foot. So it looked like the drinks made his left turned right!
    Also, he was seen hugging different ladies. Friendly hugs of course although he claimed not to remember any such incidents the next day when he was sober.
    8. I almost forgot about the “topless” performance by Mega in his room’s toilet, plus Terence without his pants on! A few of us ladies were fortunate (or unfortunate??) to be present during these rare moments.

    So friends, if you wished to experience the above, remember to join his next trip, wherever it may be.

    Thank you to all who played a part in making this trip a memorable one.
    Looking forward to another trip with good, considerate, caring and accommodating companies.
    Cheers!

    1. Many of you have organised travel together. And, we have different experiences. Sometimes, we come back unhappy and sometimes, we bring back enemies and friends. On this trip, I like to take the opportunity to talk about Travel as a group, a big group and under the SHC umbrella. You have noticed that I rarely organised small group travel. I like to organise big groups, especially a 40pax size. Big groups may be difficult to organise, but they have economies of scale. Big groups also allow us to know more people and we can have different programs to suit different members.

      Another reason is I have little spare time slot in my diary, so I hope to bring as many members together as possible within a certain time. I like to see you make friends, but I also notice that once you find friends within the Club. I don’t get invited. Other members are not invited too. In many ways, I think this is a dilemma. I still think EO big groups travelling together meet the club’s objective.

      We will keep trying. I like to encourage you to organise big travel events for members.

      Terence seah

  16. Hi Mega

    Wow, you’ve really done your homework. Tks for the factual information about the two major places of interest which we visited. Like.

    Cheerio

  17. Nope, i don’t like to make enemies nor bring back bad memories. but that’s what i heard from many SHC travels hence i had never joined any tour
    until this one.
    Yup it’s fun and memorable as you might have read from all my seow2 comrades above. Too bad i couldn’t enjoy most of the yummy food that they mentioned. i guess my stomach become delicate after staying in nice clean modern spore for too long (or it’s the cheap birthday cake our chief bought for me?)
    Yangon is much modern and well developed from what i imagined. start right at the airport, there are information counters, plenty of money changers (they take US$ as well as S$). no taxi tout/middleman. fare is clearly stated on the board. taxi is aircond (pay 1000kyatt extra for it). roads are wide with trees along both boulevard. could feel the colonial/european style along the way until I reach our hotel (kaung Su San). my my i couldn’t see it when taxi driver dropped me – it’s HIDDEN behind all the street hawkers stalls! and it’s very small!! but…it’s clean and tidy and fun to stay there as so close to all the food streets, markets and the happenings!!
    plenty of fruits and local food – tried the noodle when first arrived for S$1 and bought a big prawn fritter for hald that price – yummy and crunchy (too bad i didn’t stay long enough to enjoy the durian with the second group)
    to be cont’d…

  18. MYanmese english is really poor hence many incovenient caused. once we were at the lake side (Inlay lake?) having dinner. my personal nurse BL thought it’s a good idea to hv steamboat as it’s mild for my stomach. all agreed we then ordered but before that AnnLim wanted to have another menu so she pointed to the cover which by chance got a dish picture. whoops soon enough the menu didn’t come but the dish appeared! Ann said luckily she didnt point to the abalone picture!! wrong choice for steamboat and never order it again unless you have abt 1 hr to wait!!
    3 of us went to a massage place – wrong choice again. it’s not so clean and massage technique is so so (but only S$8 for 2 hrs)

    Am going to myanmar without any title and as an “unknown” but coming back with a title benighted by our chief – SCB. For those who don’t know me, pls don’t imagine me like whoppy goldberg or allen degeneress – I’m better looking and sexier than them, LOL

    Yes, i gave the whole bunch a fun entertainment till some wet their pants and one needed to buy T.A.- but it wont be hilarious if the “viewers” are not seow type themselves or not responsive

    yes, i had enjoyed the trip and the camaradie and i wont forget the celebration on my 47th (ehm) birthday. it’s quite memorable and special. I also thank my 2 room mates for not snoring so loud which allow me to sleep soundly…

    till we travel again.
    yours SCB (NOT seow char bor but Such a charming Babe)

  19. Hey Peri,

    Just came to mind one more incident, our tour to Twante when we visited the toilets. Terence was so high tight that he did it in the open right in front of our Q behind him, gazing and laughing. And open sesame, Bira (I think) came out of the cubicle near him and wowweeeee … guess what did she see?? Kekekeeeeeee ….

  20. Hi Mega

    Just my take on the Shwedagon.

    I think it would be a great pity if it is stripped of the 11 tons of pure gold and 1,800 carats of diamonds and precious stones. This will only deepen the already deep pockets of the rich corrupt and sadly, 2,500 years of iconic history will be lost too. True, there are many poor people in Myanmar but I am sure if there’s a will, there are means to help them. Seems they need more than comfort and convenience. Education seems lacking and looks like they have a long way to journey to realize the world is what we know of it now.

    On Kerala…… I was imagining the moon’s reflection on the coastal waters and branches of the coconut trees swaying in the wind, casting shadows on the ground. Imagining too, watching Terence chasing or wobbling after a sari wrapped, belly exposed, long haired lady round a coconut tree. No need for love potions or tongkat ali lah………. Should be romantic enough for Terence right?

  23. Hi Friends

    I would like to thank all of you, including Janie Leong and Lydia Chin for contributing to this post. Also those who have done a lot of homework before the trip to talk about it and sharing it with us.
    Also not forgetting Ah Nee for reminding us to bring some wet tissues to clean our feet. Thank you Ah Nee, that was very helpful indeed!

    This trip had been a very memorable one for me. We clicked well not because we have known each other for a long time but because we cared for each other, had fun and did silly things together during the trip.

    Thank you once again to all who have shown your love, care and concern for me, namely, my room mate Gabriella, friends Peri, Thomas, Bira, Frisna and Bobby.

    With heartfelt appreciation,
    maywoo

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