THE GUIDE - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 353

there are gazillions of places selling bus tickets all over town, and your hotel will probably
be able to arrange them too.
To Bagan (9hr). You've a choice of daytime or night-time buses (3 daily; 9hr; K11,000 in-
cluding hotel pick-up).
To Mandalay (7-8hr). There's a choice of express or ordinary bus; there are various depar-
tures through the day, most including hotel pick-up.
To Pyin Oo Lwin, Hsipaw and Lashio (11hr, 15hr & 17hr). There are two daily departures
toHsipaw,whileGoldenShuttleExpressrunsanafternoondeparturetoallthreetowns(pick-
up 3pm). You'll pay the full Lashio price whichever your destination for the latter services.
ToPindaya (3hrfromShwenyaung).Therearetwodailybusesandtwodailyminibuseslink-
ing Pindaya and Taunggyi. This is a far easier trip when heading from Pindaya , but heading
west you'll have to wait at Shwenyaung junction (2pm is the best time) and hope that there's
still a seat (not likely).
To Yangon (12-14hr). The best options are the JJ and Thit Sar Oo overnight express buses,
which start from in front of Ever Green café; both have toilets and TVs on board, and will
give you dinner and even a toothbrush. Regular buses are a bit cheaper.
By pick-up and motorbike taxi To Kalaw it's a tricky trip involving a pick-up ride to Sh-
wenyaung(K1000),thenabusorpick-upwesttoKalaw(K2000;around2hr);youmayhave
to change in Aungban on the way. Note that the practicalities are a little different when mak-
ing the same journey from Kalaw .
Bytaxi Cabs are by far the easiest means of travel to or from Kalaw; figure on K35,000 one-
way, or K55,000 including a stop at Pindaya's Shwe Oo Min Cave .
By train There are two daily trains between Shwenyaung and Thazi (11hr 30min), passing
Kalaw(3hr30min)ontheway-exceptionallyscenic,yetexceptionallyhardonyourbottom.
GETTING AROUND
By bicycle Nyaungshwe is small and easily navigable on foot, though it's best to strike out
into its rural environs by bicycle , rentable from places all over town (K2000/day). Bar the
kick-assbikesat Active&Authentic ,theseareprettymuchallthesame;justbesuretocheck
the state of the tyres and brakes before handing over your cash.
By boat For advice on boat trips from Nyaungshwe, see the Inle Lake section.