Expert: Nancy B - 11/6/2008

Question
Hi Nancy,
I have a couple questions on visiting Mrauk U in Feb next year:
1) Is it possible to stay overnight in Chin villages?  I tried several times to contact Mrauk U Prince because they have a great 2-day boat tour on their website.  They have never replied my emails.
2) What would you do if you had 4-5 days in Mrauk U?
3) Does it make sense to charter a boat to and from Mrauk U?  Are the chartered boats any faster than regular boats?

Many thanks,
Julia

Answer
Hi, Julia,
1) Yep, but sometimes "under the radar" is better than asking for permission.  Did you try Prince in Sittwe?  They're all the same folks.  If you want to be dead sure you're set, you can look at my last Myanmar answer with the info for Tony's Wild Bird Adventure Tours or Shota's Himalayan Tours and arrange in advance (and pay about $80 a day)for an official tour of the (generally Lay-too Chin) Chin area near Mrauk U.
2) Just what you're doing.  See the Mrauk-U ruins by bike for 2 days (I especially like Kotataung), possible the more ancient less-excavated site to the north (I believe it's Vesali) and spend 2 days and one night visiting the Chin (make sure you get a riverside chicken curry party sitting on bamboo mats, with the local rice brew sipped from huge jars through a straw).  Hope there's a pwe (all-night festival) going on near Mrauk-U.  They're often traditional there (complete with a manually-operated ferris wheel!)
3) It's actually more certain and safe to get the ferry as the small single boats (about $50USD)often break down.  But depending on the water level, or if you want to come back in the afternoon, you may have to charter.  Bring food and an umbrella for sun and something to sit on.
Have fun!
(And don't forget to rate me!)
Thanks,
Nancy B