Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Byferry If you're determined to do-it-yourself, check the return ferry times in Mawlamyine
before you hop on a boat. Government ferries depart from one of the two jetties on Strand
Rd next to the market. Ferries to Ka Lwi (Mon-Sat 2 daily; 1hr) at the northern tip of the is-
landdepartfromthenorthernmostofthetwo,whileboatsfromthesouthernjettyheadtoNat
Hmaw (Mon-Sat 3 daily; 2hr; K1000), halfway down the island's eastern shore. A private
ferry service operates every day between the inconveniently located Chaungsone Jetty and
Nat Hmaw.
Bylong-tailboat There's also a long-tail boat straight across the channel to the island (daily
6am-6pm, departing when full; 20min; K3000) from a jetty on Strand Rd, near Beer Garden
2 - the drawback here being that it drops you off at an isolated section of shore, rather than
in a village, so you'll need your own transport.
Nwa La Bo
Daily during daylight hours; closed during rainy season • Free
High up in the hills 20km north of Mawlamyine, Nwa La Bo - a stack of three slender
gold-covered granite slabs, balanced end-on-end and crowned with a small pagoda - stands
proudly overlooking the far-off Thanlyin River. Despite its creation purportedly pre-dating
the Golden Rock at Kyaiktiyo, and despite its more precarious placement, the rocks at Nwa
La Bo are far less revered than their more famous cousins, mainly because they contain less
distinguishedhairrelics.Pilgrimnumberspeakduringthe pagodafestival heldinthesecond
halfoftheThingyanwaterfestivaleachyear.Thereareafewfurtheroutcropsofrocknearby,
but the hiking is limited - it's basically a pleasant, peaceful place to sit and watch swifts flit-
ting above the shrine.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: NWA LA BO
Bypick-up Pick-upstoKyonkavillage(K1000),atthefootofthemountain,leavewhenfull
from outside the market on Mawlamyine's Lower Main Rd.
Bymotorbikeandtuk-tuk A motorbike taxi to Kyonka costs K7000 for the return trip, and
Breeze Guesthouse can arrange tuk-tuks to Kyonka (K14,000/vehicle).
Kyonka to the summit Once in Kyonka, the entrance is marked by a golden archway, but
there'snoobvioussign.Atruckdepartsat11ameverydayforthetopofthemountain(K2000
return), leaving from just inside this entrance - unless there are enough visitors to fill subse-
quent trucks, you're faced with a long (7km), unshaded walk to the top with no water avail-
able en route, although there is a small teahouse at the top. The 11am truck usually returns to
Kyonka around noon, though it's best to confirm this with the driver.
Khayone Cave
Daily 6am-dusk • Free • Hpa-An-bound buses pass the road to the cave, from where it's a 10min walk
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