Greetings! It's been a while. Today, we're taking you on another trip to Myanmar. But wait, when people think of this country, most of them think of the Shwedagon Pagoda, the Maha Wizaya Pagoda, or the Golden Rock. This time, however, we're going to take you to some new places that some of you might not even know exist.

Pathein: A Coastal Gem in Myanmar

Pathein, also known as Bassein, serves as the capital of the Ayeyarwady Region in Myanmar. While it may not be as widely recognized as other destinations in the country, its proximity to the Bay of Bengal makes it an attractive coastal escape.

For those seeking a beach getaway, Pathein offers two popular options:

• Ngwe Saung Beach: Renowned for its pristine white sands and crystal-clear waters, Ngwe Saung is a haven for relaxation and water activities.
• Chaung Tha Beach: This beach boasts a vibrant atmosphere, with numerous restaurants, bars, and resorts catering to tourists.

Whether you prefer tranquil solitude or lively entertainment, Pathein's beaches cater to diverse preferences.

1. Ngwe Saung Beach is located 40 kilometers from Pathein (Pateng) in the Ayeyarwady Region. This beach is known for its secluded atmosphere and pristine sands, making it a popular destination for international tourists seeking tranquility. However, most resorts in the area are private, limiting access to the beach. Dining options are primarily confined to hotel restaurants or require traveling a considerable distance, depending on the resort's location.

2. Chaung Tha Beach: A Popular Destination for Burmese Tourists

Chaung Tha Beach is a popular destination for Burmese tourists, particularly during holidays when the beach becomes crowded, resembling the bustling atmosphere of Pattaya. The area offers a wide variety of food options and numerous hotels at affordable prices.

Book a flight to Yangon first. The journey from Yangon to Pathein (Pathein) takes approximately 5-6 hours, approximately 190 kilometers from Yangon. We use the services of the same company, Nay Linn Naing Travel & Tours, which has never changed.

We stopped in Yangon for a night before continuing our journey to Bago the next day. This time, we tried a new hotel, the Accord Hotel, and stayed in the Executive Family room. Luckily, there was a promotion on Agoda, and the room was quite spacious with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The hotel's location offers a unique advantage: a stunning view of the Shwedagon Pagoda directly from the bedroom window. Situated within a vibrant local community, the hotel also provides easy access to a bustling morning market.

The journey began at 9 am after breakfast at the hotel. The arrival in Bago City was in the afternoon. The traffic in Yangon was as bad as Bangkok, taking almost an hour to get out of the city. Around 2 pm, we searched for food and found chicken biryani near the market. It is said that when visiting this city, one must try chicken biryani. Burmese chicken biryani differs from the Thai version in that the rice is mixed with white rice, resulting in a two-toned color. After lunch, we drove a little further to a legendary bakery. The bakery uses an ancient charcoal oven, making it a must-try when visiting.

After that, we stopped by the Ocean supermarket to cool off in the air conditioning. I really like to walk around Ocean, it's kind of like the Lotus or Big C back home, with branches all over the country.

The first night, we will sleep in Pathein City. There are not many hotels to choose from, so we chose Pathein Hotel, an old hotel that has been open for a long time. Let's take a nap for a couple of hours, and then in the evening, we will take you to walk around the night market.

The night market, also known as "Talad Nat" or "Tor Reung," is situated along the riverbank. It serves as a ferry terminal for locals crossing to the opposite side. My brother informed me that most villages on the other side produce and sell charcoal kilns. However, we did not visit them. The market offers a variety of food options, primarily similar dishes. I have tried the braised pork from every stall, and it is genuinely delicious. The desserts at this particular stall are exceptional, especially the roti and fried snacks.

The people in this city were very excited to hear us speak Thai. Many of them work in Thailand, and several people came up to greet us, even though they didn't know us. One elderly woman who was also waiting to buy snacks asked if we were Thai. Her daughter also works in Thailand. She seemed very excited. Another mother and son were eating moo palo. The son said that he had just returned from working in Thailand.

Visiting this market feels like visiting relatives. Everyone greets you with a smile, even though they don't know you. It's a heartwarming experience.

As darkness began to settle, we decided to explore the left side of the market, having already indulged in the culinary delights of the right side. The left side offered a diverse selection of goods, including clothing, plants, and flowers, but no food. After completing our circuit of the market, we paid our respects at the pagoda before returning to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.

9:00 AM: Wake up, shower, and get dressed. Have breakfast at the hotel, then head to the beach. Before heading out of town, stop by Shwe Sar at 653 TawYakyaung Road, Pathein, to buy an umbrella.

The umbrellas you see for sale are most famously made in this city and are exported in large quantities. Most of the umbrellas sold throughout Myanmar are also sourced from this city. Initially, I thought the prices would be high, but they were not. There are many styles, both waterproof and non-waterproof, and a wide variety of colors to choose from. The auntie even demonstrated and explained the process to me. Let me tell you, it takes a lot of steps to make just one umbrella. It's truly a work of craftsmanship.

We then drove to Chaung Tha Beach.

The road leading up to the mountain was endless, making me wonder if we were headed to a waterfall or the beach. The road resembled the steep climbs found in Chiang Mai, with a constant stream of cars and an abundance of buses, indicating the beach's popularity. Upon arrival, we were surprised to find a multitude of tourists, all of whom were Burmese.

This area is known for its sun-dried fish and dried fish, similar to Bangsaen in Thailand. We drove around for a while and then went to find something to eat. It was incredibly hot, and surprisingly, there wasn't much wind despite being by the sea. Most people take a boat trip, but we didn't want to because it was too hot. We also weren't planning to stay overnight at this beach. After lunch, we continued on to Ngwe Saung Beach.

We opted for Ngwe Saung Beach as it is the preferred choice for most international tourists, with a concentration of large beachfront hotels. Initially, we considered three hotels before making our final decision.

We opted for Ngwe Saung Yacht Club & Resort.

While its location is farther than others, this villa boasts the closest proximity to the sea. The hotel has hosted boat racing events in the past, and many guests come here to enjoy surfing.

The villa we chose was right on the beach. As soon as we opened the window, we were greeted by a stunning view. The atmosphere was fantastic. However, we were disappointed that there was no bathtub. The bathroom was huge, though. The villa we booked was divided into a living room, a bathroom, and a dining room. There was also a separate vanity area for makeup.

Let's change our clothes and go play in the sea. I wonder if the sea here is the same as back home. The resort has lifebuoys available. At first, I didn't want to use one, but when I stood and looked at the waves, they were very high and big. Safety first, because my brother doesn't know how to swim either. Behind us are the rooms where we will be sleeping tonight.

This is a great place to watch the sunset from your room.

Good morning! Let's have breakfast. The hotel will serve breakfast at the poolside restaurant. There are many food options to choose from. There are also many staff members who are always ready to serve and take good care of customers.

Enjoy breakfast with a sea view.

After breakfast, we had some time to explore before checking out of the hotel. My brother took me sightseeing, and we asked at the lobby for recommendations on places to visit nearby that wouldn't take too much time. They suggested a few options, but we had to ask for directions along the way, as mostly locals and Burmese people were familiar with the area. The atmosphere was great, and it wasn't too crowded. However, be aware that if you visit in the afternoon, the tide will be high, and you'll need to wade through the seawater.

The sun was scorching when we arrived late, but the sea was a vibrant color. It was worth enduring the heat.

Drive to the other side, it's much quieter and more peaceful. It feels like we're the only ones on the island. It's really relaxing.

The Burmese Sea is truly beautiful, with crystal-clear water and vibrant colors.

This black sand beach is quite a sight! We're used to white sand beaches back home.

Many people may not be familiar with this city, but it is considered a large and important city in Myanmar.

The gibbon will try to take you to new places in Burma again. Thank you to everyone who has been following us.

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The preferred transportation provider for travel within Myanmar remains NAY LINN NAING TRAVELS & TOUR.

When you see Noh Ning in Burma, you must have So Tay following closely behind. Noh Ning's older brother. Noh Ning goes back and forth to Burma very often.

Feel free to say hello if you see me! I was happy to meet so many of you there, and I'm glad you all enjoyed my Myanmar posts.

The ever-present clumsy traveler, exploring the world.

Little gibbon