Another 10 hour “rough” bus ride and I’m finally at NGWE SAUNG BEACH. The beach is beautiful, wide and fairly clean (considering most of Myanmar is an open garbage dump).
INTERESTING MINI-PAGODAS EMBEDDED IN BEACH ROCKS
IT IS POSTCARD BEAUTIFUL HERE
Third world travel is work and sometimes you need a break, no trekking, snorkeling or pagodas. The guy from the Internet cafe recommends I visit the BAY OF BENGAL RESORT. WOW!, for $5, free WiFi, super pool and privacy.
I’M THE ONLY ONE ENJOYING THE POOL
I have an awesome buffet breakfast with an employee I met on the bus and the local doctor. I ask the doctor what he mostly sees people for? FOOD POISONING. I tell him I’m having breakfast with him for good luck.
I’m staying at a hotel called the Pearl, it’s a dump, I want to move.
The book recommends SHWE HIN THA HOTEL. I can only get a room for 2 nights, I’ll take it. They are usually booked for a month ahead, I feel lucky, so I move.
LOCAL GREETING GEESE AT MY NEW COTTAGE
I eat at the onsite restaurant, mistake. Within a 1/2 hour my stomach is churning. I wake up at 4 am, Yep, spewing out my ass. I spend the whole day in bed, can’t get too far from the bathroom. Next day I have to check out, the restaurant runs over and wants to get paid, no. I say “you pay my doctor bill I’ll pay for the meal.” Then they offer to take 1/2, no again.
The good doctor sees me for free and writes a prescription ($1.20), I’m feeling better within 1/2 a day.
I walk around town and see something I can’t believe,
HAND DIGGING A SWIMMING POOL FOR WHAT AMOUNTS TO $1-$2 A DAY IN WAGES, USING 5 GALLON BUCKETS
A guest at this hotel was having a birthday, so the manager was teaching the employees to sing Happy Birthday, Watch the video HERE
Not all the food is “poison”
LOTS OF GREAT VEGGIES AND PRAWNS
I’m feeling better and thought I should try to go snorkeling. I get to the island and pass Max (frenchman), I ask if I can use his snorkel gear and I’ll drop if off at his hotel, no problem.
THE SHELLS EMBEDDED IN THE ROCKS ARE A LITTLE SHARP
The island has a Buddha (surprised?), but it also has
A LIFE SIZE MERMAID (just waiting to have her picture taken, with me)
I’m feeling better, like I could ride a bus that doesn’t have a bathroom. So I catch a 6:30 am bus and see more of the deforestation thats taking place.
LIKE THE NEWLY PLANTED RUBBER TREES WHERE A JUNGLE ONCE STOOD
Riding the bus during the day is very interesting. Everyday life can be a struggle here.
LIKE HAVING TO CROSS THE 2 STICK BAMBOO BRIDGE TO GET “HOME”
I said I felt a little elitist using the “tourist only” bathroom, during the last bus ride. But I kind of miss it now.
WHICH SINK DO I USE? THE PLUGGED ONE OR THE GARBAGE FILLED ONE? WHERE’S MY TOURIST ONLY BATHROOM!
I rarely give money to street beggars, I’m from Portland, you’d be broke by the end of the day. But, here? Being an able bodied worker is a struggle. I passed a crippled beggar as I boarded the bus. After sitting down, I got back up and went to gIve him some money.
HIS LEGS WERE 1/2 THE SIZE OF MY ARMS AND HE “WALKED” WITH FLIP-FLOPS ON HIS HANDS
The motorcycle phenomena is taking over Myanmar, like it did in Vietnam years ago.
WITH THE SAME CARELESS DISREGARD FOR PRECIOUS LIFE
I had to change buses but not before a 45 minute taxi ride to the other bus station. You never have to worry about your needs while traveling. You can buy a ray gun that shoots bubbles, a toy horse that jumps, dresses but again the bike wins out.
CHINESE CHICKEN DUMPLINGS OFFERED BY A BIKE
It’s nice to see the military doing something good for the people. Better than spending their days than just maintaining their control over the people.
LIKE USING MILITARY PERSONNEL AND VEHICLES AS SCHOOL BUSES
I arrive at BAGO, just as the book described, noisy with lots of traffic that love to honk their horns.
The book stated that renting a bike is a good way to see the sights, OK? Bike Rental $2, Motorcycle Rental with driver and tour guide $4. Motorcycle.
I video tape our motorcycle ride (this is why I travel with my bike helmet). Watch the video HERE
AND THE GUIDE CAN TAKE PHOTOS FOR YOU
Natasa’s brother warned me that the Burmese eat lots of fried food. I hadn’t really seen that much, but that changed here. I told him I needed some breakfast:
THIS IS WHAT HE BROUGHT ME: FRIED BREAD: PLAIN, STUFFED WITH VEGGIES, STUFFED WITH MARMALADE, STUFFED WITH MEAT (I ate one piece of plain fried bread)
Speaking of food, how about the coffee? I bought some Myanmar coffee in Yangon, but can’t find any real coffee, anywhere else?
THEY SELL THIS 3 IN 1 COFFEE EVERYWHERE, IT’S A LITTLE INSTANT COFFEE WITH NON-DAIRY CREAMER AND A TON OF SUGAR (I love my travel french press mug!)
It was pretty easy finding hot water for my french press coffee cup.
TYPICAL WOOD-FIRED POT OF BOILING WATER
THANKS FOR READING AND YOUR COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.
JEFF
MYANMAR PHOTOS HERE
NEXT? THE GOLDEN ROCK, HOW TO MAKE RUBBER BANDS AND THE BEST PHOTO FROM MYANMAR
Hello! Wow, that is some different country there. Hope you are having fun. Keep those postcards coming!!
Mary
Hi from Ireland. It looks a little rough in Burma, that’s for sure. I’m NOT slumming it in Letterkenny tonight – tomorrow Dublin. This is my first time in Ireland. I saw a beer tap with a tv screen embedded in it. Cool! Stay safe and quit eating at hotels.
Jeff, Got the post card! Thank you! So much fun reading about your adventure. You are amazing! When do you come home? Be safe until then my friend. XOX
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