THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 350

DIRECTORY
Banks Though you might get lucky with currency exchange at the hotels, there's no ATM
in Pindaya - arrive with all the cash you need.
Internet The hotels are your best bets for surfing the web, though service regularly goes
down in the Golden Cave , and it doesn't exist at all at the Myit Phyar Zaw Gyi .
< Back to Inle Lake and the east
Nyaungshwe
The small town of NYAUNGSHWE is the de facto base for visitors to Inle Lake , whose
waters begin just a few kilometres to the south. This has been one of the most visible be-
neficiaries of Myanmar's recent boom in tourist numbers and the sudden inflow of cash has
brought jolting change to the town, as made evident by the mushrooming number of hotels
and restaurants, as well as the multistorey buildings which poke incongruously from the dirt.
However, Nyaungshwe has so far ridden these changes well, and with its lazy charm barely
diluted it remains one of Myanmar's most pleasant places to stay, particularly for independ-
ent, backpackery sorts - head to the bars or night market and you'll meet travellers who ar-
rived with the intent of staying one night, yet ended up basing themselves here for a week.
Be warned: you may well find yourself doing the same.
In fairness, besides the diverting Cultural Museum and some pretty monasteries , there's
not all that much to see in Nyaungshwe itself. It's best used as a place to unwind - and per-
haps fill up, since its range of fantastic restaurants will come as a pleasant change to those
who'vebeeninthesticksforawhile.However,alittleeffortcanbringgreatrewards:justget
on a bicycle and you'll be able to roll through fantastic countryside to bathe in hot springs ,
or sample local wines at a vineyard.
Nyaungshwe gets particularly busy during the Fire Balloon Festival in nearby Taunggyi ,
which takes place in November, and during the Phaung Daw Oo Paya Festival (September/
October).