Jumping cat spotting in Myanmar Allan Soutaris can't find any jumping cats at Myanmar's infamous Jumping Cats Monastery, but luckily the tranquil sunsets and delicious beer make it all OK. Stepping my way past smiling custom officials I was somewhat apprehensive as what to expect from Myanmar. I hadn't read much about Myanmar, but from what I'd seen posted on the internet over the past few years I was, well, a little timid. Yet, as the airport doors slid open, I was welcomed by a familiar face -- Lionel Messi. Brightly illuminated, the giant billboard was one of many surprising western influences welcoming me to Myanmar. Driving to our hotel I was surprised at the complete saturation of western advertising and the adherence to traffic laws. Having lived in Cambodia for the past two years, the Yangon evening air seemed fresh. As I commented on this and lowered my window ever so slightly, a travelling companion direct from Australia recoiled at the pollutants in the air. As morning broke, we clambered downstairs from our windowless hotel room, spilling onto uneven footpaths stained with betel nut. Following a Lonely Planet walking tour we fought blistering heat through markets, tea houses, China & India quarters, pagodas and faces decorated with Thanakha. The lack of motos and English architecture did its best to fool me into thinking I had indeed left Asia. With the sun descending, the appeal of a far less taxing method of transport led us on a three hour train