It's been quite a week. During an an ultrasound check at Parami Hospital in Yangon, the radiologist (the best in Myanmar) found something in my abdomen which shouldn't be there. A MRI scan and consultation with the excellent medical director later, had me referred to Bangkok for urgent surgery. VSO has been great in coordinating arrangements including insurance cover and my friends and family in Yangon and back home surround me with love and support. Its str...

It's the day before my flight over to Bangkok and an opportunity to see inside the grounds of the British ambassadors residence. The afternoon is popular with local people and expats alike and in true British style, there is a queue to get in. It's an event about GREAT Britain and it's nostalgic in so many ways. The format is a village fete and it is such an old fashioned 'middle England' concept but everyone seems to have a good time. You can just imagine the da...

This has been a tough time for many in Yangon with the brutal killing of a highly respected lawyer outside Yangon airport at the weekend. As he returned from a visit to Indonesia, U Ko Ni, a Muslim lawyer who advised the NLD governing party on constitutional matters, was shot at point blank range and died instantly. A taxi driver who gave chase to the 'shooter' was also shot and killed before police apprehended the assailant. I saw graphic images on social med...

Soccer and golf provided the backdrop to this weekend's activities in Yangon. First stop is Yangon sports complex and a home match for Yangon United versus the 'delta boys' from Ayeyawady United. It's a tight game until two second half goals from the home side keep their unbeaten start to the season going. Its all based on the premier league and is very professionally run as a sports event. I hang around afterwards to see the post match interviews and players...

Today is the lunar moon new year festival and across the city, the Chinese community is celebrating the year of the rooster. In the office on Friday I hear the sound of drums and symbols and go downstairs to watch the dragon dance.Later that same day, I spot another dance performance in the grounds of the Novotel hotel. Its colourful, skillful and full of vitality which is a real tonic for me! The costumes are white, red yellow colours and I see several truck ...