Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
jeep monopoly but you can bring a bike (and driver) across with you. Renting a chauf-
feured motorbike costs around K10,000 return (plus boat charges).
Visiting by taxi/motor-trishaw from Monywa (K25,000/40,000 return) you'll need to
cross the big Chindwin Bridge. That adds 9 extra miles (14km) but allows a stop at the
brilliantly perched if brash Shwe Taung Oo pagoda for 360-degree river and plain
views. The route also passes some apocalyptic copper-mining shack-villages backed by a
vast industrial-scale open pit. By motorbike you could go out by boat, back by bridge
and enjoy sunset from Shwe Taung Oo.
YANGON-MANDALAY HIGHWAY
There are two routes buses and cars ply between Yangon and Mandalay: the pot-holed
old Hwy No 1, which some call the 'high road' (though it runs west of the Shan Hills);
and the new Yangon-Mandalay Expressway, dubbed the 'big road'. Neither are particu-
larly gorgeous drives but both provide access to a couple of places of interest en route to
the north, including the former capital of Taungoo and the modern-day 'royal capital' of
Nay Pyi Taw, a visit to which plunges you into the deepest depths of the bizarre.
WORTH A TRIP
VISITING THE ELEPHANT CAMPS
Myanmar has the largest population of domesticated elephants in the world, num-
ber around 4000, and is the only country where they are still used on a large scale
in industry, in particular for logging carried out under the auspices of the state-
owned Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE). In a mountainous area of Karen villages
and teakwood plantations, 35 miles (56km) northwest of Taungoo, it's possible to
visit logging camps and see up close working elephants and their oozies(the My-
anmar word for mahouts) continuing a pattern of life unchanged for centuries. It's
worth noting, however, that many animal welfare organisations continue to express
concerns about the methodologies used to domesticate elephants.
With at least three days' notice (two weeks is better), trips of a day or longer can
be arranged to this otherwise restricted area through Dr Chan Aye ( Click here ) of
the Myanmar Beauty Guest House II/III/IV.
Day trips, starting at 6am and returning to Taungoo around 5pm, cost $120 per
person for two people, with prices dropping the larger the group. Included in the
rates are the necessary permits, return transport, a walk into the forest, an ele-
phant ride, a lunch of rice and curry, and plenty of bottled water. Bamboo rafting
and motor biking in the jungle can be added for additional fees.
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