Beach bliss only a bus ride away
 |
| Local Fisherman |
The beach resort towns of Ngwe Saung and Chaungtha represent
two halves of the same coin: Similar in many key ways but vastly different in
execution.
Both are roughly six hours by bus from Yangon (at least when
the roads are in good condition); both are in the same part of the country and
offer similar beach scenery and weather.
But the difference, as the saying goes, is in the details.
Where Ngwe Saung was built with foreign tourists firmly in mind, Chaungtha has
long been a resort popular with Yangonites looking for a beach getaway. As a
result of their development the towns are very different – Chaungtha is blessed
with a large town that includes a big market, plenty of shops and restaurants,
while Ngwe Saung is more confined to the resorts and hotels, although things on
that front are beginning to change.
If that makes Chaungtha sound like a much better
destination, think again-its popularity with domestic tourists mean that people
chew betel nut and set off firecrackers at night. There’s also a lot more
hotels and guests around.
But there’s another upside to the large number of domestic
tourists – people approach you on the beach offering to sell you plates of king
prawns, fish or lobsters that they cook at home and bring you to your room. The
hotels, of course, shun the practice but are more or less powerless to stop it,
meaning you can enjoy a home-grilled lobster in the comfort of your room for
far less than it would cost you in a restaurant or a hotel.
Chaungtha also boasts a small island off one end of the
beach, Hpokkala Kyun, which is separated from the mainland by a distance of
about 100 meters. But the warned – the waters that surge through the gap are
deceptively strong and it’s a much safer option to hop about the small
long-trail boats that ferry passengers across for about K1000 each. Beyond
exploring the island’s coastline, there’s a hilltop pagoda to check out.
Another island option at Chaungtha is Whitesand Island,
which is a K3000, one-hour boat ride from the beach. There isn’t that much to
do on the island beyond a little swimming, snorkeling and inspecting the
obligatory pagoda but you can always sit back and enjoy a cold drink or two.
 |
| fresh seafood |
 |
| Local People enjoying the beach life |
 |
| Horse ride in Chaungtha |
 |
| Monks procession in the Chaungtha village |
 |
| Oxcart ride in Chaungtha |
 |
| Pagoda in Chaungtha |
 |
| Coconut shop in Chaungtha |
 |
| Native Business in Chaungtha |
 |
| Souvenir stalls in Chaungtha |
 |
| Native family in Chaungtha |
Ngwe Saung counters the charm and options of Chaungtha with
much cleaner water – there are fewer river outlets nearby – and sandy beaches
devoid of cast-off firecrackers and the red betel nut stains.
It’s also a much longer beach than Chaungtha at nearly 15
kilometers, which means it’s much easier to find some space for yourself,
although more resorts and hotels are opening up every year.
Both beaches offer some seriously high-end (for Myanmar
anyway) resorts priced at or above $100 a night but there are also more
affordable accommodation options as well in the $50-a-night range or less.
The only problem with either destination is a good one –
book yourself in for a weekend trip and you will not want to come back after
two days.
ref; Simon Whiting
 |
| View of Ngwe Saung |
 |
| Ngwe Saung Beach |
 |
| Ngwe Saung Town |
 |
| Clearwater |
 |
| Local fishermen |
 |
| Sunset in Ngwe Saung |
 |
| Romantic Sunset in Ngwe Saung |
 |
| Bird Island in Ngwe Saung |
