Our arrival at Mrauk-U was from the west, on a tributary of the Kaladan River. To the east of Mrauk-U there is another river, the Lemro -- a tributary of the Kyatsin River, which reaches the sea at Hunter's Bay, further south than Sittwe. By traveling north on the Lemro River it is possible to reach several remote villages of the Chin ethnic group before reaching the Chin State itself (to which access by foreigners is restricted). Of the fewer than 5,000 visitors that reach Mrauk-U each year, only a smaller number continue up the Lemro to the Chin villages, but that just makes it more interesting. So we get up early, to make the trip in two small long-tail motorboats.
Early Morning at the Mrauk-U Princess Hotel
At dawn our hotel's lily pond is perfectly still.
Fields Near Mrauk-U
We are motoring a few miles southeast to a village called Nang Gyar, where we can get access to the Lemro River. These floodplain agricultural fields are seen along the way. Above right, it appears that farmers are preparing to thresh wheat in the open clearing.
The Lemro River
At Nang Gyar our two boats are waiting, at the far side of a very muddy beach. But a sort of boardwalk of logs has been provided, and we manage to reach our vessels without stepping in mud. Above right: that's our guide, May, being helped along the log-way.
Here and below is a stream of photographs capturing some of the things we see along the river and its shores as we travel northward.
Chin Villages
We reach the first of the two Chin Villages about noon. Photos appear on a separate web page (following this one).
Return to Mrauk-U
Back at Nang Gyar again we disembark, pass by a billiards hall and distribute a few balloons to the kids before driving back to Mrauk-U.
Along the road we pass by these brick kilns. All of the temples, pagodas, etc., around Mrauk-U are built of bricks made this way.
Group Photo at the Mrauk-U Princess Hotel
