It's only when you get to a country, do you think about its history and events that have just about reached your consciousness in your life 'back home'.

The British have had a long association with Burma in our colonial past. You only have to think of Earl Mountbatten of, yes you guessed it, Burma. But how little do we really know about this part of Asia?

I did a little research of the key events leading up to the time that I am here in his country, so that I can put my stay into an historical context.

Firstly, you have to go back to the Anglo Burmese war of 1824-26 when part of Burma became part of 'British India'. In 1852, Britain annexed part of lower Burma and in 1885, Burma bcame a part of British India.

In 1937, it separated from British India to become a Crown colony, but in 1942, it was invaded by the Japanese or the British were driven out, depending on which side of history you want to be on! In 1945, Britain helped to liberate, or recolonise? the country and in 1948, it became independent, under the Prime Minister U Nu.

In 1962, U Nu was ousted by the military, led by General Ne Win who advocated, 'the Burmese way to Socialism'. Thousands were killed in riots in the late 1980s and martial law was declared in 1989. The country was renamed 'Myanmar' and Aung San Suu Tyi was put under house arrest.

To cut a long story short, in November 2015, elections were held which were won by the National League of Democracy and in March this year a new Parliament took shape under the presidency of Htyn Kyaw. So, over 50 years of military rule is gradually being replaced by civilian rule.

And so, as you can see, I am here at a critical point in Myanmar history and it's a privilege to witness at first hand the transition from military rule to a democratic future. It's very early days and time will tell, what the future holds.