Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

There are two ways to get to Hpa-an from Mawlamyine-by bus or by boat. I went to Mawlamyine with the sole intention of taking a boat to Hpa-an. There were some kinks along the way as it was low season like the boat won't leave until there is a minimum of three persons booking it. Thankfully the hotel I was staying in figured everything out in the end and that's how we got our boat ride to Hpa-an!

Mawlamyine to Hpa-an by boat is worth 10,000kyat or 10USD. We left the hotel at 8:30 am for the jetty but we kindda went jetty hopping. We left Mawlamyine at 10:30am and arrived at Hpa-an at 1pm. I suggest you bring water and snacks for the ride. (As a Yolanda girl, I know how it is to run on empty and I definitely don't like the feeling. Hangry?!)

There's not much to see along the way really but that is just me. I'm kindda used to travelling by boat so things that may not be interesting for me is interesting for you. However, I got a lot of riverine sketches along the way, which was good. It was also a nice change of pace.

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

It was also at this point in our journey that I got into thinking that adventures are actually self-inflicted pain. And sometimes, I would even pay for that pain like trekking with a heavy backpack because it gives you a different kind of rush and satisfaction at the end.

The silty river and bridge and paya. Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

Photo credit: Dominik M. Ramík

 And welcome to Hpa-an! The landing has some human relics(trash) but all is well. It doesn't stink as much.