I am currently reading a book called 'Twilight in Burma' - the story of the last Shan princess and this afternoon, I visit the place where the story is based.

To cut a long story short - the prince of Hsipaw was one of 33 princes in the Shan states and continued to be the figurehead in this area after indeoendence in 1948. He married an Austrian woman named Inge.

In 1962, he was taken by the military government and was never seen again. The house where he and Inge lived is now looked after by a Burmese relative and she tells the story in an intimate and compelling way.

The house is now looking a bit run down, the old palace is virtually derelict and the tennis court a faded reminder of grander former times when thousands of local people revered the prince and his princess.

I admire the fortitude of Fearn to continue to live here and welcome visitors in such a way. Being cut off from the outside world for so many decades before the country opened up a few years ago must have been so tough.

The book was not allowed in the country until recently and I think she now enjoys the opportunity to speak freely about the history of this place and her the experiences under previous governments..

I find her grace, dignity and courage inspiring and now to finish the remaining chapters....