Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Myakanthar Lake, Bogyoke Rd; mains K2000-10,000; 7am-10pm; )
Monywa's finest res-
taurant occupies a tiny lake island across upper Bogyoke Rd from the Win Unity hotel.
It's a photogenic spot at sunset, linked to the shore by a rickety wooden bridge. Tasty
Chinese, Malay and Thai food is served at open pavilions, but it's also popular with well-
to-do locals quaffing beer on a night out.
Shine's Shine
CHINESE $$$
(Saik Pyoe Yae St; mains K2000-12,000; 10am-10pm)
Part carwash, part restaurant, the last
time we saw this sort of fusion restaurant was in Kigali, Rwanda. The large compound is
shaded by mature trees full of coloured lights and the restaurant serves a huge range of
regional delicacies, including eel, duck and catfish.
Information
Netizen
(Shantaw St; per hr K500;
8am-10pm)
Comfortable downstairs room with fast in-
ternet connections. English spoken.
Getting There & Away
AIR
The airport is 7.5m (12km_ north, off the Budalin road. Occasional Tuesdays the govern-
ment's Myanma Airways stops in Monywa between Mandalay and Homalin, but as usual
the decision to fly is only made the day before, so tickets can't be reserved until Monday
afternoon.
BOAT
There is no public service downriver to Pakokku, but daily boats link the towns and vil-
lages of the upper Chindwin River. Foreigners no longer need permits to board these
boats, but permits may still be requested in remote towns on the upper Chindwin where
news travels slowly. 'Express' boats depart 4.30am daily, operated by one of several
Strand Rd companies on a rotating cycle, including MGRG, Ngwe Shwe Oo or Shwe
Nadi. Buy tickets one day before. Stops include Kalewa (upper/lower K18,000/7000,
around 13 hours), Mawleik (upper/lower K18,000/9000, around 18 hours) and Homalin
(upper/lower K18,000/12,000, around 30 hours). Departing Thursdays at 7am, the IWT
(government) river ferry moves slower than political evolution. Allow up to four days
from Monywa to Kalewa in the dry season. In the rainy season IWT boats become more
frequent and travel further north.
