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Finance Tips for Expats

“I’m Australian and new to Singapore – what are some top tax and financial tips which I should be aware of?”

Tristan says:
Make the most of your time in Singapore: Singapore may have a low tax rate but don’t be fooled, it’s also one of the most expensive cities in the world to live. Make sure you set a sensible budget, including savings, holidays and entertainment and stick to it.
Changes in Capital Gains Tax: You may not be entitled to a principal place of residence exemption on the sale of your family home if you sell it while you live offshore. Know the facts before you decide to sell property and get the right advice.
Take advantage of tax concessions on investing offshore: Singapore has no tax on dividend payments or Capital Gains Tax (CGT). There are also ways to structure your offshore investment to be CGT free when you return to Australia if you hold them for 10 years with no tax during accumulation, in comparison to the top marginal rate of tax at 49% in Australia.
Family protection: It’s important to ensure that your insurance still covers you during your time abroad. Singapore is one of the most competitive insurance markets in the world, offering cost effective and international personal insurance products.
Know the residency rules and seek the right advice: The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has complex and sometimes ambiguous tax residency rules. It’s important to understand your residency position and seek advice if you decide to live cross border to your family, as this could quickly undo any savings you are gaining from the low tax rates in Singapore. A good example of this is deeming sale of your shares on exit from Australia.
Ensure you continue to build your savings: Remember that you generally don’t receive any Superannuation contributions during your time as an expat so it’s important to continue to save for your retirement, children’s education or future property purchase while living overseas.
Think before you pay off your deductible debt: The ATO considers a repayment of your loan a permanent event. Even though a loan may be secured to a property, redrawing the loan could re-classify it and you may not be able to deduct interest payments from it in the future.
Multijurisdictional Wills: Consider an international Will to assist in a faster and streamlined probate process. A temporary guardianship can help avoid your children being placed into the care of the state should the unthinkable occur.

It’s important to seek the right advice and make the most of your time here in Singapore as it’s a wonderful place to live and work. Have no regrets and leave in better financial shape than you arrived.

**The levels and bases of taxation, and relief from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individuals’ circumstances. Seek independent tax advice from suitably qualified professionals before making any decision as to the tax implications of any investment.

**Advice relating to a will and matters of guardianship involves the referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James’s Place.

More info

Review: Fullerton Hotel Sydney

The Fullerton Hotel brand has opened its first hotel outside Singapore – The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. Curious to see the GPO building’s latest incarnation, I dropped in during a recent visit back home.

Number 1 Martin Place
The first sign we’re in Fullerton territory is the shiny chauffeured car that rolls into my sister’s driveway in the suburbs. We wave regally from the window as our driver whisks my daughter Sophie and I into Sydney’s CBD, over the coat hanger and the gleaming harbour. The second is the towering Christmas tree in the foyer, made of trademark Fullerton bears, one of which is immediately gifted to Sophie. During our stay she’s made to feel like a small princess by staff, who are fabulous with kids. We take Robby the bear, appropriately dressed in a vintage postmaster’s outfit, up to our digs. The 416-room hotel is divided into heritage suites in the original building, and new rooms in a tasteful modern extension. We’re in the newer Tower Suites, a plush five-star pad by any standards, but a gradual interior refurbishment will swing into action in the future. For now, the focus has been on the exterior of the building, with experts from Stonemason and Artist undertaking a 38,000-hour chemical free cleaning process to restore the street façade to its former glory.

Fusion food
Our first stop is lunch at The Place, a sophisticated eatery in a light-bathed atrium, overlooking the GPO heritage courtyard. The concept is a collision of Asian and Modern Australian dishes, with a few nods to Singapore’s hawker flavours. We order a starter of Braised Pork Belly served in Steamed Bun, Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce, and Wagyu Beef Rendang. There’s a healthy kids’ menu but Sophie chooses Singapore’s national dish, Chicken Rice, from the main offerings. At A$38 it’s a little more expensive and sophisticated than the slap-dash plastic plate dish she’s used to! The taste is spot on, though, and it’s a novelty to eat chicken rice in such a salubrious setting.

Andrew Boy Charlton swimming pool

Sydney sights
The hotel is walking distance to lots of iconic Sydney sights. On our first day we visit friends at Circular Quay – wandering along the ferry terminals, watching flamboyant buskers, and enjoying million-dollar views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The second day we shop ‘til we drop at nearby Pitt Street Mall, The Strand Arcade and Queen Victoria Building. Famished, we get a dumpling fix at Din Tai Fung in Westfield. You can take the girls out of Singapore…
One morning, we walk across The Domain to visit the Andrew Boy Charlton swimming pool, an outdoor 50-metre saltwater pool set on the shores of Woolloomooloo Bay near the Royal Botanic Gardens. Poseurs, families, squad lappers and a group of learner scuba divers take up most of the eight lanes, but we find a space to squeeze in, immediately cooling off in the refreshing salty water. Like locals, we lay out our towels on the deck, pull down our shades and gaze at the breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour.

Signature Afternoon Tea
The Sydney Sling

Afternoon tea for two
No trip to The Fullerton (either Singapore or Sydney) is complete without trying their traditional Signature Afternoon Tea ($58 with tea or coffee). Dressed in our best frocks, we head to The Bar and sip delicate TWG tea, taking our pick from a silver tier of treats. Sophie loves the Pandan Kaya Lamington, a delightful nod to the hotel’s Australia/Singaporean ties, as well as bites of Pecan Maple Tart, Citrus Pannacotta, Key Lime Tart, and warm Classic and Raisin Scones, served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. On the savoury side, the Boston Lobster Cornet stands out, along with beautiful White Truffle Egg Mayo Sandwiches. To finish, I simply must try the house special – the Sydney Sling ($23). A variation on the fruity Singapore Sling, it blends Four Pillars Gin with hibiscus liqueur, ginger liqueur, blood orange juice, fresh lime and ginger juice. I wisely stop at one!

Photo: State Library of NSW
Restored Queen Victoria carving

Restoring the Grand Dame
History is at the heart of the hotel, and The Fullerton run two complimentary heritage tours on Fridays and Saturdays. The 10am tour is exclusive to hotel guests, but the second at 11.45am is open to the public. Docent Margaret Monger is our guide back in time, a role she clearly relishes. Prior to joining The Fullerton’s team, she guided school groups on heritage tours through The Rocks district for many years. Ready to retire, she was lured back to work by the GPO building’s rich past.
The walking tour takes around 90 minutes and explores the elegant post office building, designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet and dating back to 1874. Despite its advanced years, the GPO is remarkably intact and preserved. We discover the history of the people who worked there, connecting a rapidly developing Sydney to the world through telegrams, letters and a lively phone exchange. We look at the 73-metre bell tower – dismantled during 1942 for fear it would become a target during the war – a sweeping grand ball room, hand wound clocks, and even a small ‘No Smoking’ sign on the sandstone wall, which has remained in place since the days of gas lamps.
Our favourite section of the tour is gazing up at the intricate street carvings which feature the NSW Coat of Arms, Queen Victoria, and twenty-four carved heads which represent either a continent, country or state. On the Pitt Street side, Italian sculptor Tomaso Sani carved ordinary people of the time, going about their professions and trades. The carvings were considered uncouth and debate raged for years about whether they should be taken down. Thankfully they were left as a record of everyday life in the 1880s.

Before we head back to Singapore, Sophie writes a couple of postcards to family (and one to herself!) and drops them into the GPO’s resident vintage red post box – a nice way to honour the incredible history of this much-loved building.

fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney

Decluttering Before an International Move

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We all know the importance of organising, tidying, and decluttering our space in the lead up to an international move, yet most of us put it off until the last minute. Many reasons are cited for this hesitancy, including holding onto possessions “just in case”, keeping items to be used in the future, feeling guilty about getting rid of expensive items, feeling wasteful when we get rid of items, feeling obligated to keep sentimental objects or mementos, and lots more. Then there’s just plan laziness or procrastination!

Tips for Decluttering:

Start with small items: Tackling a house full of clutter can be overwhelming, to say the least. Make sure you start small and tackle one task at a time.

  • Start a necessities box: Store all the items you will need as the last days of your travel schedule draws near. This box can include toiletries, clothes, and others.
  • Get rid of rarely used items: The rule usually is – if you haven’t used it in six months, toss it.
  • Donate or sell: Donate to charities or give secondhand goods to family or friends. Donate your DVDs and books to the library. You could also earn a few bucks by selling these items.
  • Leave the mementos until last: These are sentimental items and will need a lot of willpower to get rid of. The KonMari Method of decluttering can help in this regard. It was created by a world-famous organising consultant, Marie Kondo. At the heart of this system lies the simple question, “does it spark joy?” If it doesn’t, get rid of it.
  • Contact moving companies: The quotation you will receive is directly related to the number of items you’re shipping. Therefore, if you declutter before the professionals arrive for a survey, you would have reduced your cost and your quotation will be more accurate. Contact SIR Move Services for a quotation.

 Benefits of Decluttering

  • Improving productivity: You may be making that international move for work-related or study reasons. Decluttering your space just before you go leaves room for little distractions.
  • You will feel physically healthier: You will be amazed at the relationship between decluttering and your physical health. There are many health challenges that are made worse by excessive clutter.
  • Increased wellbeing: You don’t need the latest gadgets or excessive items to feel happy. Trying to keep up with the latest trends and buying more than you need can increase stress and cause anxious feelings.

Finally, decluttering will largely help to make your life organised and more intentional. Making an international move, for whatever reason, suggests you need a fresh start and new challenges. So, it’s better you don’t bring along with you the baggage of the past on this journey.

About SIR MOVE

Established in Singapore in and Malaysia since 2006, SIR Move Services is a Singapore/British brand and it is a moving company that continues to build a business based on integrity and trust. With a firm belief that 110% attention to the technicalities involved in moving is an expected pre-requisite, it is these strong building blocks that have served as a foundation for their mission which is, to ensure that the delivery of their services comes with consistent quality of exceptional standards at every level and in every move. SIR provides Complete Move Solutions for International, Commercial and Domestic Relocations inclusive of storage and insurance. We move pets too. Moove My Box (MMB) is the newest addition to our suite of services allowing customers to ship small shipments faster. Similar to Air Express Delivery with the addition of packing and collection services. SIR Move is a qualified FIDI/FAIM Quality Mover.

SIR Move Services

Email talk2us@sirmove.com
Visit www.sirmove.com
Call 65 65347345

For more information on SMAD

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SIR Move Services Pte. Ltd
A member of THE SIR GROUP

 

Affordable Quality Wines Reviewed

Stag’s Leap Chardonnay 2017 ($45/btl) is a magnificent wine deserving to be in everyone’s home. Putting aside all the accolades, 90+ rating points, and expert reviews, this wine is, without a doubt, one of the best values and most exciting wines around. It is the quintessential Napa Chard with a nose that immediately opens with apples, ripe pears and a subtle hint of oak and caramel all masterfully balanced. It is clean, crisp, and only slightly buttery. Easy to drink, but make no mistake, this is a robust and sophisticated wine ready to be enjoyed.

Back in 6th century BC, the first Rose wines were produced in the South of France, a worthy descendant of those earlier “pink wines” is The Maison de Grand Spirit L’Etre Magique Cotes de Provence 2016 ($28/btl).  An easy wine to drink perfect for warm afternoons, just like in Provence. It is polished and complex with smooth tones of strawberries, raspberry and mild citrus. A suitable companion for grilled seafood and veggies. A top Rose at a great price.

Also from Stag’s Leap winery perhaps one of the most underrated reds around is their Petite Syrah 2016 ($59/btl).  In the world of ratings, this wine always deservedly gets top marks and yet, the spotlight is always on the Cab Sav cousins. The deep purple color and rich aromas of licorice, blackberries, cherries, dark chocolate, and plums would make you doubt this is a medium body wine. This is a smooth and silky wine as it is complex, good to drink now or put it away for a couple more years.  It is worthwhile opening this wine for least a couple hours and enjoy each sip afterwards, this outstanding red comes with long legs so be ready to spend some quality time with it.

Try these and many more from thecellar.sg.

For ANZA Members we also have a special offer for you on Wolf Blass Gold Label from thecellar.sg also. Check out the deal here.

Congrats Danial!

Danial Crichton was a key ANZA Soccer player

ANZA Soccer congratulates player Danial Crichton, who has signed a contract with professional club team Young Lions! We are very excited for Danial, who has been an ANZA Soccer player since the 2017–18 season. The Young Lions club plays in the Singapore Premier League and serves as a feeder team for the U23 national team. As a Singaporean, 16-year-old Danial is eligible to represent his country in international competitions. We look forward to following his future soccer career!

Rising star
Danial joined ANZA soccer on the recommendation of Head Coach Yakob. “It was obvious from the start that a very strong player had joined us, and that he had high ambitions to play for the Singapore national youth teams and break into a Singapore Premier League club team academy, says his coach and competition teams coordinator Marcel de Bruijckere. “Later that season, Danial was indeed selected to play for the Singapore U15s.” While his national team commitments obviously came first, Danial still played for ANZA whenever he could.

Celebrating victory at JSSL 7s

A key ANZA player
Danial has been a key player for his ANZA Soccer teams. His most significant contribution came during last season’s JSSL Professional Academies 7s, the largest youth soccer tournament in Asia. He made many crucial plays and scored the winning goal in the Cup Semi-final 3v3 tiebreaker. He also contributed as team captain.
Danial showed selfless leadership in the 3v3 that decided the Cup Final, which ended in a draw at full time. ” The JSSL 7s tiebreaker works in an unusual, sudden-death format: if, after one minute of 3v3 play, the score is still tied, a player is taken off each team for a 2v2 contest, and after another minute, it becomes 1v1. Along with the vice-captain and goalie, Danial started in the 3v3. “The original plan was that our goalie would leave the pitch first,” recounts de Bruijckere, “but after that first scoreless minute, Danial made the call to come off himself. He was slowing down after playing every minute of the day’s four knock-out matches, and he knew that goalie Philippe had more energy left. Danial trusted his teammates and prioritising the outcome. His father Scott, who coached the team with me, could not have been prouder. Danial’s judgement proved sound when Philippe scored in the 2v2. That victory contributed to ANZA Soccer taking home the Paul Parker Trophy as the best club in the tournament!” Early this season, Danial was selected to play for the U18 Singapore national team in an international tournament. His performances impressed the Young Lions’ management, and they invited him to join them. This commitment means he can no longer play for our B16 competition team. He will be greatly missed in the second half of the season, but we are very happy for him and wish him all the best. “I’m confident he will do well for the Young Lions and may well be the first ANZA player to make it to the Singapore National Men’s Team,” says de Bruijckere. “If he does, he will be following in the footsteps of Head Coach Yakob, who played goalie for the national team and has been supporting Danial behind the scenes as he sought to break into the Singapore Premier League.” Good luck Danial!

Danial’s Journey:

“My father always says I started kicking a ball as soon as I could walk! From a very young age, my favourite memories were playing with him almost every night. Living in Korea for my father’s work was a wonderful experience, but it also had its down points. Playing football was difficult due to our location and my school schedule. In my early teens, I played for my school team. I have a great memory of a two-day competition in Jeju, where I scored 20 out of my team’s 26 goals. A lovely weekend! Football season was my time to shine, but that would only last for three months. I wanted more football, structured the way it was in Singapore, and to continue my dream of making it. I wanted to move back to Singapore to pursue my dream, and I’m blessed my parents supported me. When I returned from South Korea, I wasn’t sure which club to join. But from the first day at ANZA, everyone was very welcoming. They treated me like family. When Coach Marcel and Coach Yakob greeted me with a green jersey, I was honoured to be part of the club. One of the great things about ANZA was that the coaches had good links to both local and international football clubs, and Coach Yakob helped open doors for me to take the next steps to represent Singapore on the U15 and U18 national teams. The national team coaches were also fantastic, as they helped and continue to help develop me as a player. Playing for ANZA, for local club Warriors, and for Singapore, it was busy and I was having a great time, with one of the highlights definitely being the JSSL 7s 2019. In January 2020, I signed my first professional contract at the age of 16 to represent the Singapore Young Lions in this year’s S league, starting in February. I can’t wait to continue my journey! Special mention to my mum and dad for always supporting me, along with Coaches Marcel and Yakob.” As Danial looks forward to exciting new challenges, he wants his ANZA Soccer mates to know that “anyone can also do it!” Follow Danial on Instagram at @Danialcrichton.

Singapore Shophouse Strolls

Photographer Tatyana Kildisheva

What’s this book about?
It leads the reader on a visual and historical journey around Singapore’s Chinatown and the surrounding areas. I set out to showcase the Peranakan culture and architecture – photos illustrate the text and clear maps show the reader where to find the most picturesque and beautiful Peranakan shophouses and terraced houses around Chinatown, Blair Plain, Duxton Hill and Tanjong Pagar. It took around two years to complete.

Any highlights?
I rediscovered the Blair Road, Spottiswoode Road and Everton Road houses. While working on photos, I realised it’s my favourite area, each of the stunning terraced houses is unique and precious. One particular house, which has been in the same family for almost a century, has a stunning metal feature on top of the gate, going back to the 1920s. I absolutely adore how residents display many potted plants and even have little koi ponds in front of the houses for the public to walk through and admire. I’ve included a few photos of those jungle-like walkways in the book.

Yip Yew Chong murals

You also feature local street artist Yip Yew Chong?
Yip Yew Chong shares his memories of growing up in Chinatown and reveals how he started painting the wall murals and the significance of certain elements in the striking artworks. I photographed all the Yip Yew Chong murals around Chinatown. He also provided a hand drawn map indicating the murals locations, which you can find at the end of the book.

What did you learn from doing the first book?
I learned to be braver with what photos I included and how much text I used, which made the second book more voluminous.

Who else was involved in the book?
Jane’s Tours owner and certified Singapore city guide Jane Iyer wrote most of the text for the book, including fascinating historic facts and anecdotes. Julian Davison, a renowned architecture historian in Singapore, provided his research, so there is more educational narrative about the history and development of the neighborhood going back to the 1800s.

Where can we find it?
It’s best to buy directly: tatyana.kildisheva@gmail.com, tatyana@kildi.com +65 9029 1820  or from the following shops:
China Collection, 252 Joo Chiat Road
The AC, 420 Joo Chiat Road
Cat Socrates, 78 Yong Saik Street
Kim Choo, 111 East Coast Road

What’s coming up for you in 2020?
I’m thinking about a third book, but it’s a lot of work and it depends on how the second book sells!

Did you know?
ANZA’s old bright red door in Kampong Bahru was featured in Singapore Shophouse Walks – look out for it on page 52!

ANZA Scouts & Guide Dogs Singapore

“Working within our community is central to the Scouting ethos,” says ANZA Scout Leader Toph Brown. “Over the years, ANZA Scouts and Cubs have done community service with disadvantaged youth, environmental clean-ups, and wildlife research programs. Each year, we aim to do at least three or four service activities.”

Election Sausage Sizzle with ANZA Action at the Australian High Commission

Scouts & the community
Running the Election Sausage Sizzle with ANZA Action at the Australian High Commission in May 2019 was a great experience for ANZA Scouts and a chance to meet a furry new community group. “On the day, we were introduced to Guide Dogs Singapore, the beneficiary of the fundraising,” says Toph. “After the event, we talked with the youth leaders on our Scouts Troop Council (11-14 years) and Venturers Unit Council (15-18 years) about how the Sausage Sizzle had gone. They were keen to do more community service activities like this, and the Guide Dogs sounded like a great cause to support. The youth councils voted to work with GDS as our main cause.”

Gary and his guide dog Jordie

Understanding visual impairment
The next step for the Scouts was to find out more about visual impairment. “The team from GDS came to a Joeys (4-7 years) and Cubs (8-11 years) meeting so our younger members could learn about living with visual impairment,” explains Toph. “The Guide Dogs team used props and activities to let our kids experience the effects of different impairments.” The highlight was meeting Guide Dogs client Gary and his guide dog Jordie. “The Cubs and Joeys quickly learned when Jordie was working, and when it was okay to give the dog a scratch and pat.”

Future plans
GDS has a full calendar of awareness and fundraising events and the ANZA Scouts are excited to help where they can. “With a long-term partnership, ANZA Scouts will see the difference that their efforts make to lives of an under supported community,” says Toph. “Importantly, we can engage in different ways at different ages – critical for our diverse group.”

Join ANZA Action!
We are looking for a wordsmith to write up the ANZA Action magazine
page each month. Get in touch if you’re interested in helping our charity arm tell their stories. editor@anza.org.sg

How to Save on Money Transfers

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Looking to get started? Here’s some handy FAQs.

How do I open an account?

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  • Speak to us – an OFXpert will call you to complete setup and answer any questions you have.
  • Verification – this is usually automatic. We’ll let you know if we need any documents.
  1. Can I track my transfer? 

Of course. Once you’ve kicked off a payment, we’ll send an email and an SMS to keep you updated at every step. You can also track the status in your OFX account online or via the OFX app. Simply, set your notification preferences in your OFX settings.

  1. How can I stay on top of currency markets? 

When you’re juggling financial commitments in multiple currencies, it’s important to remember currency markets can move very quickly. That’s where working with a currency expert and using currency tools can help minimise risk.

So how does this work? One option could be using a Forward Exchange Contract, where you can lock in a favourable rate and then transfer your money with that rate for up to 12 months. This can be helpful if you need to make regular ongoing payments.

  1. Who can I reach out to if I have a question? 

Our team of OFXperts are on hand to help and answer any questions 24/7. You can reach them on +65 6817 8747 or via email at customer.service@ofx.com

“We initially transferred over £10,000 through OFX to help set us up in our new home, including accommodation, my visa and transport costs. It was so easy that we have since transferred the remainder of our savings we left behind.” – Alfie Bamford, Australian expat who relocated from Britain with his wife.

Save 40% on top of already great rates

Transferring money home? Save an extra 40% on your first money transfer for a limited time only. To help get you started with your first transfer you can now receive an exclusive 40% saving until the end of March, on top of an already great rate! Simply register or log in to get started and your savings will be automatically applied.

*OFX charges no transaction fees. Third party intermediary fees may still apply. ^Offer ends 31st March 2020. Limited time offer is only available to you as you’re already a registered customer of OFX (excluding Global Currency Account and UKForex Customers) and valid for your first Transaction only made by 31 March 2020. Offer applies only to Spot Contracts. Standard OFX fees applies to all Transactions (if applicable). Third party and intermediary fees may also apply. 40% discount is automatically applied to OFX Customer Rate [LF3] for your first Transaction made by 31 March 2020. Other exclusions may apply. The terms of your applicable OFX Customer Agreement will apply to all Transactions, and capitalised terms have the same meaning as per your applicable Customer Agreement.

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NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS: OFX is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to carry out cross-border money transfer services and is an exempt payment service provider in relation to e-money and account issuance services. Please note that this does not mean you will be able to recover all the money you paid to OFX if OFX’s business fails.

Myanmar with Kids

Living as expats in Singapore puts us in a wonderful position to easily explore Asia, without the cost and inconvenience of long flights. During our time here my wonderful wife Julia and I have explored some awesome off-the-beaten-track destinations, however none as unique and different as Myanmar.

We decided to brave Burma with our kids Miles (20 months) and Nina (5). To be truthful, every day brought a new tantrum, (sometimes several) however the challenge of travelling with kids in this newly accessible region was always compensated with the smiles and excited faces of the curious and friendly local people. It was more than worthwhile visiting this fascinating country.

Our ten-day trip from Singapore to Myanmar commenced in the former capital known as Yangon. We travelled in the wet season, (May – early October), which is usually not recommended, but for the most part we didn’t get rained out. Yangon is a busy Asian city, lined by the Yangon River on the west and the Bago River on the south and dotted with some wonderful parks, temples and history.

We stayed at the Savoy Hotel (savoy-myanmar.com), which originated as a lush private residence in the 1940’s and now operates as a boutique heritage hotel. The courtyard had a wonderful French provincial feel to it and the interior was beautiful, with grand wooden staircases, antiques and other stylish fittings. Rooms were comfortable and staff very warm and friendly (like all Myanmar people really).

Shwedagon Pagoda

Ten minutes’ drive from the hotel was the Shwedagon Pagoda – Yangon’s most famous landmark. The imposing 99-metre high gold-plated pagoda is 2500 years old and boasts a diamond studded spire. Our adventures included a trip to the gilded pagoda, which had a beautiful, peaceful feeling to it, even with a one and five-year-old toddling around.

Also, on the agenda for Yangon was visiting colourful markets with a wide variety of unique trinkets and taking a walking food tour run by SaBa Street Food Tours (sabastreetfoodtours.com). Sa Ba is Burmese for “eat please” and the tour was fantastic fun. It covered the old district, including tasty sweet and savoury pastries from an ancient bakery, a guided walk through the wet market, traditional noodles cooked on coals, and spicy salads of broad beans and tea tree leaves. We also tried Mohinga, unofficially known as the traditional dish of Myanmar, consisting of rice noodles served in a hearty herbal fish and shallot-based broth. We all grew very fond of this and would snack on it regularly throughout the trip. The kids really enjoyed trying the different foods and believe it or not, no one got sick.

Following Yangon, we jumped in a turbo prop plane for a little over an hour and headed to Bagan, a spiritual centre for Myanmar, located centrally in a drier part of the country. The UNESCO World Heritage site is known for its stunning temples, constructed in the 11th – 13th century. Approximately 2,000 remain, rising majestically from the landscape.

You do get a little “over-templed” after a while, especially if you’re travelling with young kids, but they’re all fascinating. I would highly recommend getting a guide, as the history surrounding the old city is truly incredible. If our kids were a little older, I would happily listen to our guide all day.

Bagan

There are plenty of hotels in Bagan, but we chose The Hotel @ Tharabar Gare, (tharabargate.com) as it was right in the middle of the action. Our room overlooked the old town’s walls, many temples were within a very short walk, and there was a lovely shaded swimming pool for the kids to splash around in and cool down.

We explored the temples in an airconditioned van at a reasonable rate, however in the evenings you could also jump on the back of a horse and cart. We did this at sunset, which was very special. There are also plenty of tuk tuk’s around. During the months of October to April, you can ride a hot air balloon over the old town, which is supposed to be magical, if a little on the pricey side.

Our amazing guide Win and driver Coco also took us to some of the more famous temples, a very local wet market, and a monastery to watch the young novice monks have their only meal for the day, as we were educated about life growing up in the area. They were both very kind and gentle with our kids, including accommodating us when we needed a break and playing with them while we had lunch.

Sofitel, Inle Lake

Our final destination was Inle Lake, the highlight of the trip. The 116km2 lake is home to around 150,000 people, many who live in stilt houses and farm on floating islands of vegetation. Tomatoes are the most farmed item, which results in around 90 tonnes of tomatoes a day, mostly for domestic use around Myanmar. The lake was very picturesque and well worth the additional 40 minute flight and 1.5-hour drive from the airport. We stayed at the brand-new, luxurious Sofitel Inle Lake Myat Min (sofitel.accor.com) for a reasonable rate. Our beautiful villa on stilts had a private balcony overlooking the lake – the sunsets were super special and the whole experience was one we won’t forget.

Travel around the lake is by long boat – drivers pick you up from the hotel’s private jetty. We hired another guide with our own boat, which was very affordable, and visited more wet markets, temples, villages, traditional textile factories and floating farms. Life on the lake was calm, picturesque and very relaxing. All in all, we had a wonderful time and would highly recommend visiting Myanmar before it gets too commercialised!