Cinema Review: Shwe Baho (YGN)

Shwe Baho is a theatre that has been around for a while. Located next to the Tamwe Plaza it was run down, unclean, abandoned and dying. Mega Ace Cineplex refurbished it and had a grand opening for it December 12, 2014. But not enough Press coverage. I only knew of it when my coworker/friend told me about a "new" cinema and how it now looks better than before.

And so curiosity ensued and I scheduled a movie plan with friends and we went to watch the Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Luckily it was showing there and at this point I was sick of the other theatres (particularly Junction Square cinemplex - more on this later).

Truth be told I didn't know where it was, just roughly where it was... that got confusing. Got on a taxi (fingers crossed) and just told the driver "Shwe Baho Movie Theatre" which luckily they knew (and I hoped they knew because its not something new just revamped). The driver told me we had reached the destination and I was pleasantly surprised by the exterior. It was totally modernized and though its not a cineplex (2 shouldn't count as a cineplex) it gave that feel. Here's my review of the place.

The tickets are the same as other theatres: 1500 - 3000 Kyats. ($1.5 - 3 at $1 to 1000 Kyats).

The food concierge was a little disappointing (bring your own snack of choice).

The 3D glasses frame was comfortable for even nose bridge-less person like me.

The seats range were a little too low for the huge ass screen. I was in the second last row.

The seats are relatively comfortable and the entrance to the row isn't from the middle! AWESOME.

The Air Conditioner is FREEZING COLD. Bring your jacket in case.

The movie was good and so was the screen. Would I come back? Perhaps if movies aren't showing at San Pya or Dagon Centre 2.

Hope you find this review useful in helping you decide whether or not to watch it. I'll update this post with pictures next time.

To find out movie times and make bookings please call this number:
Shwe Baho: 01-554383

#BizHackMM - Myanmar's Second Hackathon

This weekend Code for Change Myanmar held their 2nd Hackathon at MICT Park.
Over 20 groups spent their weekend coding away.. creating a solution presented by the business.
Here is a photo collage of the days passed. Image credits to Code for Change Myanmar Facebook



The winners were TEAM Ace with their amazing hack app solution Tomatoes that'll help restaurant owners and customers to reserve places in restaurants.


And here's a video presentation by one of the team. Feedbag. They placed second.



I went only for the first two days to observe (and couldn't make it to the presentation/winner selection) and it was an intense place to be. You had mentors and business owners visiting to guide you, give you suggestions. There were many things one could learn from just observing and one thing I learned was that that you don't have to be a coder to partake. However if you are participating as a non-coder it's best to have some knowledge of the industry and the business. And of course still have a team of coders. If I can I may join the next hackathon or perhaps the upcoming women who code for change. We shall see.

Congratulations again to the winners and good job to all who partook!

Airline Review: Flying Golden Myanmar Airways

This weekend I took an impromptu trip to Singapore and it was goooood. I can see why people would want to live there. I forgot how it feels to live in a metropolitan city.

I got there via last minute booking and was only able to get Golden Myanmar. A little suspicious at first I was hesitant to fly it. But when you're desperate for a getaway you don't care and jump on what's available. Here's my review of my experience flying with Golden Myanmar Airways.


It considers itself a budget airline. I did not know this as my "promotion" round-trip ticket cost me $200. On par with what Singapore Airline was offering at that time... Maybe on a more high-end range of budget airlines

The seats are pretty comfortable. Not too tight even for a plus-size-gal like myself.
My luggage got to me with nothing missing. Edit: Some people might see 0kg for baggage. Don't fret. I strongly suggest you call GM and enquire regarding this. They're a budget airline and so may charge per luggage. I got one free 20KG checked luggage due to promotion. So please check with the airline before packing for your trip. You may just need to jam it all in one or have two separate bags, depending on how much you decide to bring with you.
Take offs are a bit rocky so I don't recommend people flying for the first time to take this...
Food options are great but you have to pay for it. It's a "budget" airline.
Staff (at counter and air hostesses) are friendly and helpful. I requested a seat change on the return and she nicely provided me one.
No segregation of class. To my knowledge.

The biggest issue I had with was how they request people to sit. I notice that if you check in early you get sent to the back... not such a good thing... though it could just be a pet peeve of mines.

Overall, it was good. Would I fly again? Depends. Basically I will try to get MAI or SILK over GM.

Comment below and let me know of your experience, or if you have any queries I'll be happy to find out for you and answer.

Till next time!

mylifesavour.com

So recently this poped up on my radar.

It's supposedly similar to groupon but unlike it you first join it as a membership and then you'll receive discounts at the restaurant affiliated with the site. You can find out which stores are currently affiliated with them by clicking on the site: www.mylifesavour.com.

Currently they do not have a paid membership just the trial:
And so I joined it.
I'll tell you a month later how my experience with this site goes. If it's worth the pay they'll be demanding requesting later.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. theyangonforeigner will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.

Tourist Map of Myanmar

I found this helpful image on the interwebs for those interested in visiting Myanmar and not sure where you can visit*. This is of course for those who are not just going to Yangon alone but want to explore Myanmar. I got excited finding this as I've not yet been to most. Perhaps I will accomplish this one day. Till then it's going to be part of the tick off list!

Hope you find this list hopeful! Tell me in the comments below where you've been and where you look forward to next! Tell me if you've done it all! you lucky person

Till next time!

*As you know, as of post date, not all of Myanmar are for tourist to go to and explore. No matter what you may believe, I truly believe you should heed this for your safety. You can believe what you want but some things are better heeded than to be sorry for later.

Blog: Myanmar Queueing Problem

Advise for visitors of Myanmar:
If you are surrounded by the average citizen and you don't see people queueing aka lining up. Don't.
If you see people queueing and you do, be prepared to stand your ground cause its very likely you'll get cut.

It saddens me to say this but the average common citizens of my beloved country do not know how to queue.

I first experienced this in Citymart when I had been patiently queueing to pay for my groceries. An older woman cut in with a basket full of item and positioned herself to be served. I politely told her we've been waiting a while and that it's proper to queue. That woman barked back and me and said I'm a rude girl. Unbelievable.
P.S: I didn't back down from that fight but that's another story.

I'm not sayin that my fellow citizens are rude, uneducated, Neanderthals.
This can happen anywhere in the world.
Myanmar people are the loveliest people.
Most just don't know how to queue.

Any experiences? Share your stories of queue problems - whether it be in Myanmar or around the world!

One Year Later

I cannot believe it has been one year ago when I left the big apple and came to Yangon.
My plan was to stay only one year, see how things are with family and the "new" Yangon and return.
And then plans changed when in 2014 I got myself a job. Now I don't know what the future holds for me.
But my past year has been amazing (no chronological order):


The birth of my kittens

Experiencing amazing food with amazing friends

Visiting Singapore since my last time in 1997 with my boyfriend

Getting my first ever full time job and getting to go to The Oxford Report event

Last but not least, my best friend's wedding. The biggest event of my past year in Myanmar.

And of course one can't forget meeting new people along the way.

And old friends visiting me all the way from Japan.


Thank you for reading folks. Sorry I haven't been able to take you along the last year's journey but this year on I will do my best!

Till next time!

Review: Xi Yang Yang

I found out via friends that there was a Xiao Long Bao place in Yangon and... not going to lie. I went MAD.

I bugged every soul to take me there (as yours truly has the worse road sense) and finally I was taken there Sunday by my childhood friend.



Note: Parking there is a nightmare (in that township area in general) so I highly recommend you go there via cab.

It's a two story narrow building. I can't attest for sure how many fits but I can safely say: not much.
I hope they have plans to expand.
Their utensils are cute.
This means that it was cleaned via a service.

And so we ordered... and we ordered a lot....
The main reason I'm here...

Sesame buns

The variety of soy milk. P.S: dark soybean was best

Fried dumpling + Beef rolls

Fried rice + Pork ribs
(we just wanted the rice to be honest...)

Shrimp wanton

Gotta have them vegies: Kalen

And we ordered this cause the other table ordered and it looked good: taro


Review: I was not disappointed. It actually surpassed my expectation and my expectation was top of all Xiao Long Baos: din tai fung. The soup dumpling had more soup and just as much meat. It didn't have that "msg" flavor. Not that there's any at din tai fung (or so they claim). Just natural flavor. Would I return? Most definitely! It's even my favorite. I truly hope they expand cause after this... I might no longer get a spot to sit anymore.

Till next time.

Review: Alamanda Inn Restaurant & Bar

In a secluded place of the pristine real estate area, the Alamanda Inn is a beautifully resort styled place. I've seen it before driving by there but never went there till the other night. And it is gorgeous!

I only went for the Inn's Restaurant & Bar but judging that I feel it is enough for me to declare the Inn as a BEAUTIFULLY decorated place! Just look at it!


Source:tripadvisor
Though while the decoration was beautifully done, the food... was missing a lot of quality control.

I ordered the pork loin and mash potatoes (priced 9000 kyats). The mashed potatoes were amazing but the pork loin... oh lord .... I wondered if the meat went through some tough times because it was HARD AS HELL! I could not even stab the meat with a fork!

I ordered pork because I've always had a tough time with beef in Myanmar in restaurants and the pork was just as bad... UNBELIEVABLE! The sauce was great but the meat being that tough was unbelievable. Apparently my meat was not the only one as the beef that was ordered by my two friends was not to their taste. One ordered hers medium-rare and got medium well... till one part where it was finally medium-rare. I think the fire just wasn't burning well or too well cause the other ordered hers medium-well done and it was practically well done.

Most of the main dishes are priced from 9000-12,000. Mode prices being 9500 kyats roughly 9-10$

Will I ever return? Maybe to try the chilli dish but if that fails, perhaps not unless for a drink.
If you don't own a car its extremely difficult to return from a place like that. Taxis waiting there are like vultures, ready to overprice you to get out.

Have you been there? Did you have a different experience. Let me know if there's something out I'm missing out or not noticing or anything.

Till next time!

Review: The Lab

The Lab, a tapas place, is the latest "restaurant/bar" to hit Yangon. Opened no more than a few weeks ago, it's already become the hottest spot for people to go hang out, drink, and eat.

I finally took a visit there to see what the hype was all about.
The place was pretty busy, there was one large group table, probably put together for large group convenience and four tables for a group of four.

We sat at a bar and ordered wine from the chalkboard located right above the bar:
We then proceeded to look at the food they have to offer from the digital Menu:
We ordered Baba ganoush and chicken balls.
(I swear they had a fancier name for it, I can't remember it now for the life of me.)

Food was amazing. Wine... not so much. I ordered a glass of Casa de campo. It was very sour and not to my palette for the night: I was in the mood for something sweet.

How was the overall atmosphere? It could have been less echoy. I feel that the echo destroyed the what would have been amazing atmosphere. Everything else was alright. Here's a panoramic view of the place:


Will I return? Perhaps. I've yet to taste their cocktails but based on their wine and tapas (their main focus) very unlikely. It wouldn't be my first choice but it's not a place I would scratch off.

Thank you for your reads. Comment below if you have visited and would like to share your experience.

Lethwei Workout

Lethwei: unarmed Burmese martial art similar to its siblings - IndoChin Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and etc.
(image source: Unlimited Martial Arts)
My manager invited me to this kick boxing training she's started going to and I joined. I went BELIEVING I was gonna get some punches in after a personal life stressful week. I went BELIEVING I was gonna get a workout.

I got one belief accurate. Didn't get to punch a bag and let out my frustration but I got one HELL of a workout.

The workout was at a living legendary lethwei fighter, Lone Chaw, house. I think it was his house It's also called the Thut Ti Lethwei Gym run by multiple former Golden Belt Winner.

This is Lone Chaw. He's a tough trainer. He killed me.

This was my first day and so it went "easy".

We started right off by balancing ourselves on car tires. I was concerned I would literally flat one out with my body-weight. And right after we're comfortable with our balance you're expected to bounce on it while maintaining the pose. I didn't know you could do soft bounces and did some really high jumps. My feet sole KILLED This went on for 15 minutes. Switching from soft bounce and to speedy switching bounces.

After that we were asked to do some stretch routines and some push up and core exercise. Went on perhaps for 10 minutes. Funny thing. It hurt doing this more than the actual techniques taught.

And for the rest of the class we were taught the basics: fight dance, back kick, roundhouse kick, and maintaining steps.

It was a great learning experience. Lots of swearing was heard from me. It's been a while since I exercised and I really went AT it. I felt bad but if not swearing you'll see me dead. Some people just react differently to painful workouts. Me? I swear with all the colourful vocabs of different languages.

If you decide to go for this you can book ahead by calling (or texting even in English) to this number: 09401538133
Address is: 893 Wontharekkita St. Mayangone Tsp
Along Kaba aye Pagoda Road.

You don't have to be a dedicated person wanting to learn this. You can be. Or you can simply be going there to lose weight/get fit.

About the Gym:

Bring your own towel

You train in his backyard

They sell cold water + 100 plus. '

Change beforehand

5000Kyats per session (as of post date)
The only thing about this is they don't have changing facilities and bathroom... I didn't tempt the hygiene gods by going to the bathroom so change and go to the bathroom beforehand.

Will I go back? We'll see...

Restaurant Review: Jasper House

(Source: Jasper House Website)
Address: 54 Alone Rd. Dagon Township. Yangon. Myanmar
Phone: (95)9-517-2589, (95)1-230-2011
Website: http://www.jasper.com.mm/

Review: I didn't hate it nor did I like it.

Pricing is mostly 4000 - 6000 Kyats per dish or $4 - $6 (at 1000Kyat to a dollar rate).

We ordered 7 dishes for a table of 6, simply because food portions are small. Taste of the food is a hit and miss. Some were really good like the fried tofu. But some had a lot of msg taste. Especially the crab dish from the chinese menu. One thing I recommend are the drinks. They taste amazing. I personally prefered the avocado shake among the ones I taste which were mango, lime juice, banana and something.
Note: they're not fresh fruit blended drinks but juice drinks blended with ice drinks.

The website has the menu so you can go there and have a look before you decide whether or not you're in the mood for what they have to offer.

Service was terrible. It took a long time for drinks and food to get to us, including a bottle of water. Aside from our table there was barely anyone else. So it was not a busy night excuse. The decor is probably the best thing about this place, after the drinks.

Rating: 3/5

Would I return? Probably not. The food was not special to attract me to return even in a lack of restaurant world (in comparison to New York City) and the terrible service really didn't help.

This is just my opinion as a customer of the restaurant.

Comment below if you've been there and have anything to say about it. E.G: you like it and how dare I dislike it. It's your opinion. It would be great to know different views and fellow blog visitors would definitely appreciate all perspective.