Replies: 31 - Last Post: 06-Jan-2010 19:16 Last Post By: sleepyowen
1
hi starsk1,
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No freedom without press freedom!
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2
Very good postings, and I strongly agree. I was in Hsipaw recently, and it is obvious that Mr Charles has some (negative) political connections. I stayed at Nam Khae Mao, which was fine (I have posted regarding this guesthouse situation previously). And, as it needs to be pointed out again, this guesthouse requested the town to NOT repair the clock's chime last time it was broken, so this "Lonely Planet issue" is no more.4
I trekked with Mr Charles last week and his views did not surfacce. His brother has a guesthouse too, and there is 1 other option that I know of, but the pople moved over to Charles place after 1 night.
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6
Very interesting post indeed. I stayed at Mr Charles in 1999, and would rate my visit to Hsipaw back then as one of the highlights of my travels so far. This trip we went back to Mr Charles expecting another good experience in Hsipaw.7
hi all,
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No freedom without press freedom!
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8
hi kokoro,
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No freedom without press freedom!
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9
KyawNi, very interesting information... was wondering about Ms Maureen myself. For the record, her cappuccinos are expensive but excellent, better than those at Cafe Aroma in Yangon... and cheaper... Anyway, I tried to ask her some questions about how she'd ended up in Hsipaw, but to no avail... I got kind of a strange feeling about that I must admit.11
-> zuzzy,
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No freedom without press freedom!
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12
But please be careful, for his sake, if you try and go and see him. His place is often watched and (as someone else said in a different post) he is threatened with jail if he does any of a whole list of things. If you try and see him and he seems rude, then just leave quickly, as it'll mean that he's being watched at that moment and knows it.13
I had actually heard all kinds of rumors on y way to this region about Mr Charles, and found them to be off the mark and not a factor. I spent a entire day with him, and only 2 others on trek, and had lunch at his new river home with his wife, and talked about very much, including his parents, grandparents, villagers, and surrounding areas, and find this stuff written above rubbish...
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14
Having only visited Burma once and getting the feeling that I only scratched the surface, I was never sure of anything I heard and it's very easy to be paranoid about things you see and hear and to be honest, I don't 100% believe things I was told anywhere and tried to make my own mind up. Which is why in my original post I said that it's up to individuals who go to Hsipaw where they stay and what they do and I have not criticised Mr Charles accomodation or prices for his rooms.Posted By: VenessaP -- 28-Jan-2010 15:01
Posted By: VenessaP -- 09-Dec-2009 17:01
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