82AROUND YANGON
DELTA REGION
beach. Communicating in English can be a
problem here, as the ‘Check out time 11.00
noon’ sign at the reception suggests.
Hotel Ayeyarwady HOTEL $
(%42332; s/d/tr $12/15/20; a) Located across
the road from the beach just south of the
market intersection, this is a 1960s-style
‘motel’ complex in bright aquamarine with
simple but tidy rooms.
Dream Light HOTEL $
(%42201; s/d $5/10; a) If you don’t need a
room right on the beach, this pastel-hued
castle-like complex near the market inter-
section is an adequate, although slightly
musty budget choice.
Shwe Chaung Tha Hotel GUESTHOUSE $
(%42249; s/d $5/8) The rooms in this large
wooden house across from the beach are
rather run down, but are clean and cer-
tainly cheap. 5 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; hall
day), where the service is charming (we
were ceremoniously presented our bottle of
Myanmar Beer for approval) 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 fa-
mous breakfast, which features thick, sweet
Myanmar-style pancakes.8 Information
In addition to being the only hotel with internet,
Shwe Hin Tha Hotel is also home to Chaung Tha’s
unoffi cial information centre, Myanmar Travel
Beach (%09 520 0617; http://www.myanmartravel
beach.weebly.com). The go-to man for all thingslocal is Mr George, who can arrange snorkelling
trips, day trips to Ngwe Saung or Chauk Maung
Na Ma, a nearby white-sand beach, as well as
transport etc.8 Getting There & Around
The rough 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 jun-
gle hills – well, OK, ex-jungle – it’s a depressing
example of the eff ects of deforestation. Over half
the villages passed along the way are Kayin. Bus
For buses from Yangon, see p 71.
It’s theoretically possible to travel north via
the town of Gwa all the way to Ngapali without
fi rst having to go through Yangon and Pyay. It’s
an exciting, beautiful but very demanding two-
day journey on very local minibuses. Motorbike & Boat
Motorbike taxis can be hired to take you to Pathein
(K10,000) or directly to Ngwe Saung Beach. In
fact, the trip to the latter is a real highlight of a
beach holiday. The route, which takes about two
hours, is through wild and glorious country and
involves three river crossings on small wooden
country boats that have just enough room for the
motorbike and a couple of passengers. You will
pass serene beaches, several untouched villages
and heavy forests and whiz over tracks and trails
between shocking-green rice paddies. It costs at
least K15,000 per person. Ask your hotel a few
hours in advance to organise it.
If it’s calm you can also hire a boat (seats six;
K65,000, two hours) to and from Ngwe Saung.
This is handy if you’re in a group but be prepared
to wade ashore with your bags and ask to be
dropped as close to your hotel as possible. Bring
plenty of water and sunblock. Again organise
this through your hotel or Myanmar Travel Beach
a few hours in advance. Ta xi
Share taxis for up to four people to Pathein
(K50,000) and Yangon (K150,000) can be
arranged with your hotel’s assistance.BUSES FROM CHAUNG THA BEACHDESTINATION FARE (K) DURATION (HR) DEPARTURE TYPE
Yangon 7000
10,0006-7 6am
10.30ambus
air-con bus
Pathein 3800 2½ 7am, 9am,
11am, 1pmminibus