A trek to pine forest in PyinOoLwin aka May Myo

By Thiha, the Traveller @ Thiha Lulin

 

THE author has been to PyinOoLwin for several times, but all places of interest there can’t be visited yet, accordingly, worth-visiting places still remain and seem to be new ones for him with these reasons pushing him into loving PyinOoLwin more and more. Though it is said the weather of PyinOoLwin is hotter than the past, it is still providing the travelling people from all parts of the country with coolness and refreshment for the reason that all pine forests have not been totally destroyed. Only now people come to realize the value of the pine forests. The author said, “In the past, we felt the cold when we reached Ohnchaw en route from Mandalay to PyinOoLwin. Now we can’t feel the cold even we reach Anisakhan. I went trekking pine forests this time in order to feel the taste of PyinOoLwin once.”

 

“Pomegranates and strawberries Rich cherries and pine forest A flower town with gold mohur trees Small houses are seen When I heard of the sayings I wanted to come I would like the damsel like a pretty flower To look forward to seeing me From the town with steps of mountain” I had a wonderful time during my trek tour seeing all things except pomegranates just like the lyrics expressed in this song mentioned above.

 

Does trekking make feel frightened? Travels are different. Some are fond of adventure type including unusual, exciting and dangerous experiences. Some like to take things easy when they travel, for example, they will freely go and eat meals avoiding worries and hurries. People travel of their own way and so there is no need to criticize. The youths of today are taking great interest in trekking. All parts of Shan State are the best for trekking. The visitors don’t go trekking very much. Previously going trekking could be seen, but local visitors don’t know much about it. Local people are still thinking PyinOoLwin is a town of flowers. As a matter of fact, there are many places of interest—forests, mountains, waterfall and villages in and around PyinOoLwin. Now trekking to pine forests has appeared in PyinOoLwin. I had to go trekking to pine forests and it is not a fatigued journey. It is a trek that even those don’t want tiredness should try, according to the author. Detour road pine forest has been visited, is it the same thing? It is not the same as the new trek to pine forest. Unlike the detour road pine forest, the visitors can spot different taste of uphill and downhill trek, Shan villages and traditions, plantations and pretty flowers.

 

How to go trekking to pine forests in PyinOoLwin? Every time I come to PyinOoLwin, I put up Thiha Bala Hotel. The author saw a new schedule of going trekking to pine forests arranged by Cherry Hill May Myo Tours and he made it while asking Thiha Bala Hotel about a new plan. If the visitors are interested in going trekking to pine forests, they can contact Thiha Bala Hotel. Only one person costs K30,000. If you go in group of two to five persons, it will be K25,000 per person. If you go in group of more than five persons, it will be K20,000 exclusive of local guide and lunch.

 

The service includes car ferry as well. The trekking tour takes about half day and the visitors can continue other places of interest. As soon as the trekking tour is finished, there is somewhere else to visit. There are a big rose garden called a royal rose garden with multiple colours of flowers and Sitha coffee farm.

 

The visitors can do the sightseeing on foot until the end of the farm and the garden. The local guide will bring you to Croft Organic Farm and the entrance fee will have to be paid by the visitor. If the visitor goes to Sitha coffee shop only, there is no need to pay entrance fee. The entrance fee costs K2,000.

 

Personal experience of pine forest trekking

 

The author had breakfast arranged by the hotel at about 9 o’clock in the morning, washed and then set off by hotel car. From the start to the end, local tour guide Ko Sai Kyaw helped the author to show directions throughout the journey. He has a good social dealing skill and is clever at giving explanations. The author did not reach the pine forests immediately, but he arrived at small villages ahead. He went trekking on his way to the forests and mountains while studying socio-economic life of the rural people. He thought himself that going through pine forests would be boring.

 

Actually, he entered the villages crossing the pine forests and he also saw strawberry and vegetables plantations. He spotted macadamia nuts whose seeds are put into chocolate on the way and it is meant for knowledge. He had to walk along the beautiful road with the blossoms of yellow sunflower.

 

Cherries were not in blossoms yet when he was visiting. If the cherries were in blossoms, it would be sure that he would be walking along the roads with the blossoms of cherries. Cherries are in blossoms in December. It is a trekking tour capable of studying varieties including damson trees plantations.

 

They had lunch naturally in the pine forests. After that they had to feel the advantages of the pines sitting under their cool shades while ending the trek tour to pine forests. Pine trees are being conserved and a form of scratching turpentine from pine trees can be seen. Drops of turpentine falling down to the pack give fragrance, thereby refreshing mind and body. Seeing singeing pine trees to produce turpentine look heart-broken. It takes 30 years to establish the pine forest.

 

Local people have to seek basic needs for living regardless of climate and ecosystems. The author likes to make a visit to PyinOoLwin and he has visited there very often. He doesn’t like to go to common places of interest any more. He left a message to those who are wishing to post photographs during the trip, saying that a trek to pine forest in PyinOoLwin will be all right. The author wishes all a safe and sound journey with happiness and good health.

 

 Translated by Htut Htut (Twantay)