Yangon & Around - Myanmar (Burma) - page 171

( 042-42346; www.maxhotelsgroup.com ; Main Rd; r $70-250; ) Offering a smidge
more electricity than other properties, this crony-built place is as fancy as it gets for
Chaung Tha. It's well run and maintained but the rooms lack feel dowdy and old-fash-
ioned compared to Belle Resort.
Eating
Unlike at nearby Ngwe Saung, there aren't many independent restaurants here, so plan
on eating most of your meals at your resort.
A standout during our visit was Shwe Ya Min Restaurant (mains K1500-2000; all
day) , where the service is charming and more than a bit of care goes into the food. The
menu at this attractive guesthouse-based restaurant is largely seafood-based and includes
all the Myanmar and Chinese-Burmese staples. And even if you're not staying here,
you'd be well advised to consider the restaurant's famous breakfast, which features thick,
sweet Myanmar-style pancakes.
Also of note is the Grand Bistro and Bakery at the Grand Hotel; the bakery supplies
baked goods to all the other hotels in the area and in high season churns out muffins,
doughnuts, cakes and other sweet treats.
Information
A long-established guide on the Chaung Tha scene is Mr George, who along with his
family members operates out of Tourist Information Chaung Tha Beach ( 09 4973
4562; www.myanmartravelbeach.weebly.com ; Main Rd) opposite Shwe Hin Tha Hotel.
Also reliable, friendly and less pricey is Ko Chit Kaung , who runs the parasol show-
room and souvenir shop near Shwe Yan Min - contact him via the Shwe Yan Min guest-
house. Both can arrange snorkelling trips, day trips and various modes of transport
around the area.
Getting There & Around
The twisting 25-mile road between Chaung Tha and Pathein can be traversed in two
hours by private car; buses and minibuses usually take about 2½ hours. The route passes
through rubber plantations spread across the hills - it's a depressing example of the ef-
fects of deforestation. Over half the villages passed along the way are Kayin.
BUS