Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TRISHAW
In Myanmar, trishaw passengers ride with the driver, but back-to-back (one facing for-
ward, one backward). These contraptions are called saiq-ka (as in side-car) and to ride
one costs about K1000 for short journeys. Given the heaviness of downtown Yangon's
traffic during the day, you may find trishaw pedlars reluctant to make long journeys
across town at this time.
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
DALAH & TWANTE
One of the easiest and most enjoyable short trips out of Yangon is to board a
double-decker ferry (round trip K4000; every 15 minutes) that shuttles between
Pansodan Jetty and Dalah across the Yangon River. As well as the breezy views
provided on the 15-minute journey, there's a lively scene on board as hawkers
jostle to sell everything from sun hats and paan(areca nut and/or tobacco
wrapped in a betel leaf and chewed as a mild stimulant) to bags of speckled eggs.
Tip: take the ferry around 5.30pm for a cheap sunset cruise back and forth across
the river.
Dalah, which is one of Yangon's townships, is no great shakes; the main aim is to
continue on to Twante , a pleasant town 30 to 45 minutes' drive west into the delta.
Chances are you'll be approached on the ferry by someone offering their services
as a motorbike taxi; the going rate is around K10,000 round trip including stops at
the various sights. Regular taxis charge around K30,000, while a squashed seat in
a pick-up van to Twante is K1000.
Twante's main sight is Shwesandaw Paya (camera fee K200; 6am-9pm) . Standing
250ft tall, this zediwas first built by the Mon 2500 years ago and is said to contain
two hair relics of the Buddha. One corner of the compound commemorates King
Bayinnaung's (also spelt Bayint Nyaung) defeat of a local rebellion. Near the south-
ern entrance is a 100-year-old sitting bronze buddha in Mandalay style. Instead of
focusing on the floor, the buddha's eyes stare straight ahead. Along the western
side of the zedistand some old bronze buddhas.
Twante's Oh-Bo Pottery Sheds supply much of the delta region with well-de-
signed, utilitarian containers of varying shapes and sizes. You'll be able to view the
process from making the clay, casting the pots on human-powered wheels and fir-
ing in kilns, which can take three to four days. Pots the size of a small child that are
used to store rice and water go for K25,000 but there are plenty of smaller ones for
sale in the shops that are close to the Twante Canal.
On the way to or from Twante make a detour off the main road to visit the Mwe
Paya , a beautifully situated temple amid a fish pond which is reached by four
bridges. The temple is home to scores of sleepy snakes who are tended to by
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