The signal indicator of my mobile was almost zero on Nay La Win Express while a call from my friend to confirm my journey was ringing in. It’s uncertain at first if cdma800MHz connection would be available in the Delta city, as the network failed to cover country-wide. On my way to Pathein one Sunday afternoon, passengers were so loaded leaving no extra space on buses that all seatless travelers waving hands were left stunned as the buses rushed by.
I’ve been familiar with a song featuring Pathein since 1990s. One modified classic song called Mama Pathein Thu of Poe Ei San was a hit in our teens. The Shwe-mok-htaw Pagoda, Pathein Umbrella, Pathein Beach, etc. have all been my dreams to witness. Regrettably, I failed to reach the Delta, let alone Pathein, until this journey in ironically rainy early December.
Staying less than 24 hours in Pathein, I was accompanying a longtime schoolmate to visit the Shwe-mok-htaw Pagoda once I landed out from the bus-linked ferry. The time’s 6.30pm; darkness totally. At first sight, I was truly impressed with the city. It’s learnt many newly-paved concrete roads were constructed just recently, though dusty scenes & poor atmospheric quality was unavoidable, like so many cities in the country—from Sittway to Mu-sae, from Myawadi to Mandalay.
The Strand was also shiny and smooth, with flowery figures of dolphins, artistic benches, modernized paved ways among the greenish lawn, near the glittering City Hall. It’s also overheard that the Strand was newly reconstructed, after dismal looks for many years. That might be like when I witnessed the damaging Strand in another port city Sittway 4 years back. Tricycles were the best way to go round the Strand, watching the rowing and motored boats in Nga-wun River. After some 2-minute drive was a popular high pillar with a Pathein Umbrella on top, eye-catching, though it looked dull and seemed to be left undecorated for long.
My friend suggested Kha-kha-gyi restaurant for dinner, but it’s already locked when we approached after 8pm. A nearby shop became an option, and we ardently talked like our traditional style at Lucky1 teashop near the cinema theater.
Pyinsawady FM was airing at La Pyae Wun Guest House on Min Gyi Road, where some friends said to occasionally reunite for their official meetings every few months. Previously heard about meditation centers and monasteries in Pathein though, I had to abort the plan to visit at the rickshaw driver’s reluctance for the far outskirts.
Four-hour drive from Yangon’s Hlaing Tharyar bus terminal to Pathein has widened my outlook even with a short break from the Capital and less time to laze around. Dreaming face to face with the Delta, the rice basket of the country since the colonial era, at last I could land the soil of the Ayeyawady Delta, which I earnestly took pride in, and next times, hope to reach far-flung areas and beaches close to Bay of Bengal.
I’ve been familiar with a song featuring Pathein since 1990s. One modified classic song called Mama Pathein Thu of Poe Ei San was a hit in our teens. The Shwe-mok-htaw Pagoda, Pathein Umbrella, Pathein Beach, etc. have all been my dreams to witness. Regrettably, I failed to reach the Delta, let alone Pathein, until this journey in ironically rainy early December.
Staying less than 24 hours in Pathein, I was accompanying a longtime schoolmate to visit the Shwe-mok-htaw Pagoda once I landed out from the bus-linked ferry. The time’s 6.30pm; darkness totally. At first sight, I was truly impressed with the city. It’s learnt many newly-paved concrete roads were constructed just recently, though dusty scenes & poor atmospheric quality was unavoidable, like so many cities in the country—from Sittway to Mu-sae, from Myawadi to Mandalay.
The Strand was also shiny and smooth, with flowery figures of dolphins, artistic benches, modernized paved ways among the greenish lawn, near the glittering City Hall. It’s also overheard that the Strand was newly reconstructed, after dismal looks for many years. That might be like when I witnessed the damaging Strand in another port city Sittway 4 years back. Tricycles were the best way to go round the Strand, watching the rowing and motored boats in Nga-wun River. After some 2-minute drive was a popular high pillar with a Pathein Umbrella on top, eye-catching, though it looked dull and seemed to be left undecorated for long.
My friend suggested Kha-kha-gyi restaurant for dinner, but it’s already locked when we approached after 8pm. A nearby shop became an option, and we ardently talked like our traditional style at Lucky1 teashop near the cinema theater.
Pyinsawady FM was airing at La Pyae Wun Guest House on Min Gyi Road, where some friends said to occasionally reunite for their official meetings every few months. Previously heard about meditation centers and monasteries in Pathein though, I had to abort the plan to visit at the rickshaw driver’s reluctance for the far outskirts.
Four-hour drive from Yangon’s Hlaing Tharyar bus terminal to Pathein has widened my outlook even with a short break from the Capital and less time to laze around. Dreaming face to face with the Delta, the rice basket of the country since the colonial era, at last I could land the soil of the Ayeyawady Delta, which I earnestly took pride in, and next times, hope to reach far-flung areas and beaches close to Bay of Bengal.
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