MingalabaAccording to the Myanma calendar my present life began in the Netherlands in the year 1318.I studied electronics and started my career as an electronics engineer. While designing electronic circuits connected with computers I gradually switched to computer engineering and thereafter as a System, Network and Application Administrator. My current and final career step is retirement. My biggest hobbies are travelling, photography, computer and internet technology. The combination of these has resulted in this photo gallery. Another hobby or sport which I enjoy a lot is walking and trekking through the mountains. Because we do not have any mountains in The Netherlands I had to visit other places, like The Alps, Nepal, Morocco, Ethiopia and Myanmar. I also run a website about my first visit and trek in a least developed country in 1994: Nepal - Trek Around Annapurna - Photo Gallery. My first visit in MyanmarI have visited Myanmar for the first time in August 1997 during a cultural journey through the country and it felt as I have lived there in a previous life.I fell not only in love with the country, but also with a charming lady from Myothit (New Bagan) who is now my dear wife. Ma Ni Ni Too and I are living together in The Netherlands for years and we try to visit our Myanma family and friends at least once a year. It is on these occasions that I take my photographs in this beautiful country and of its lovely people. Trekking tour guideI investigated the possibilities for moderate trekking in Myanmar for the Dutch travel company HT Wandelreizen in co-operation with a private tour operator from Yangon. This resulted in the Mt. Phon Kan Razi Trek in the Myanma Himalayas of Kachin State, Mt. Nat Ma Taung (Mt. Victoria) Trek in Chin State and treks from Kalaw to Inle Lake and near Hsipaw, both in Shan State.Tour consultantAfter acting as a tour guide for twelve years and having much experience in travel and trekking in Myanmar I had participated in the Myanmar Natural Wonder Trekking and Culture Travels & Tours Co., Ltd. tour operator as a tour consultant since December 2011. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 measures, this tour operator has stopped its travel activities in Myanmar.7 Sisters RestaurantIn December 2011 Ma Ni Ni Too and I had chosen a piece of land in New Bagan and started to build a restaurant a year later. It took nearly two years to complete. The restaurant opened on 31 August 2014 and is locally managed by the family. The name is derived from the fact that my wife comes from a family of seven sisters.Our family-run open air restaurant is built in a romantic and authentic Myanmar tazaung style with fourteen massive teak pillars supporting the roof. The restaurant is located on a quiet street just a one minute walk from the Eight Faces Paya in the centre of New Bagan, away from the noisy and dusty main street. It's a clean and comfortable place for breakfast, lunch and dinner or just a refreshing drink on a warm afternoon. Serving a wide array of Myanmar, Chinese, Thai and European dishes for a fair price. It is a great privilege to visit Myanmar (especially the remote areas) and experience the true and warm hospitality of all its people. Henk de JongThe Netherlands |
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