Peninsular Plaza is one of the oldest in the islan...

Peninsular Plaza is one of the oldest in the island and a thriving complex for offices, businesses, shops and dining, especially for legal services, photographic equipment and services, Myanmar-related businesses and foods. It is pedestrian during the week when mainly office workers and a sprinkling of tourists come here for shopping and dining.

But it is on weekends when this plaza comes alive as numerous small groups of younger women and men -- mainly Myanmar but also Philipino and Indonesian, gather here to socialize, mix and especially to picnic. The colours and style of Myanmar women with tightly fitted long bright print dresses are unmistakable and nearly every single one wears a smear of makeup paste on their cheeks.

Over the years shops here have acquired a bit of a reputation for sharp dealing (to be polite). I cannot definitively confirm but believe the prices here are roughly comparable to elsewhere and suggest they probably have high rents to pay. As usual buyer must beware, shop around and do compare.