Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
gaudy, crocodile-shaped sanctuary. Both are within walking distance of the Friendship
Bridge.
WORTH A TRIP
MAUNGMAGAN BEACH
Dawei's most accessible beach is Maungmagan, a wide, sandy strip spanning ap-
proximately 7 miles along a pretty bay. The sand veers toward the coarse, gray end
of the spectrum, but on weekdays at least you're likely to have it all to yourself,
save for the occasional fisherman.
Opposite the beach is a collection of three pretty island groups: Maungmagan,
Hienze and Launglon, known collectively in English as the Middle Miscos. Due to a
natural profusion of wild boar, barking deer, sambar and swiftlets (sea swallows),
these islands belong to Myanmar's only marine sanctuary - established by the
British in 1927 and still officially protected.
Places to stay at Maungmagan include the delightful Burmese/French-run
Co-
conut Guesthouse & Restaurant
( 09 737 00052; Phaw Taw Oo St, Maungmagan; s/d $20/25;
)
, located near the village and a brief walk from the beach, and the waterfront yet
bland and overpriced
Maungmagan Hotel
( 09 422 201819; Maungmagan; r incl breakfast
K40,000-80,0000, bungalows incl breakfast K80,0000; )
, located at the rocky southern end
of the beach. It has no roman-script sign. Burmese and European food is available
at the former's
restaurant
(Phaw Taw Oo St, Maungmagan; mains from K2500; 7.30am-11pm)
,
and there is also a string of beachside seafood shacks at the road head - on week-
ends and holidays this end of the beach draws a crowd - not to mention some ba-
sic restaurants in Maungmagan village.
Maungmagan is around 11 miles west of Dawei via a narrow, patched blacktop
road that winds through villages, rubber plantations and over a high ridge. There's
a daily, very crowded
truck
(Arzarni Rd)
that departs from near Dawei's Si Pin Tharyar
Zei at around 7am (per person K1000), otherwise motorcycles go to Maungmagan
for around K5000, thoun beinfor around K12,000, and a car can be arranged at
Dawei Regional Tourism Services for a hefty K40,000. From Maungmagan village,
trucks depart from the market area when bursting from 7am to 8am (1000K).
Sleeping & Eating
All accommodation and food is located along AH1, Myawaddy's main strip.
Myawaddy Hotel
HOTEL $$$