16 June
TO escape from choking city life, daily stress and pressures at work, a day’s vacation to Twante by water bus every Sunday has become popular among Yangonites.
Rural life, with traditional pottery, weaving clothing and the fresh fruits and vegeta-bles found at local bazaars, along with a visit to the historic Shwesantaw Pagoda, can help visitors feel free from daily stress.
The water bus leaves Botahtaung Jetty at 9 am. Seeing Yangon from the river is a pleasure. Shortly after the ship leaves the jetty, the scenes of small motorized boats providing ferry services across the river and catching fish in the river, as vessels come into view, refreshes Sunday vacationers who have to live with traffic congestion, air pollution and busy traffic on their roads.
The best part of the journey is the cool and fresh breeze that we need to breathe every day to enjoy good health.
About 30 minutes after the departure from the jetty, the ship enters into the Twante Canal. Fishing boats casting nets in the canal and pagodas flanking the water route to Twante are unforgettable sites.
After about one hour of sailing in the canal, the ship arrives in Twantay.
In fact, Twantay, located about 15 miles north of Yangon, is the historic town known for its clay pots.
Discovering ancient kiln-sites in Twantay reflects the town’s past glory of clay pots and ceramic products. The town has also attracted local and foreign ceramic researchers.
Unfortunately, this trip does not include visiting the kiln museums in the forest of the Twante.
But, two buses are ready to bring visitors to see traditional pottery in Ohbo Ward. Visitors have the opportunity to purchase clay toys as souvenirs for their children.
A second stop is a traditional weaving industry in Shansu Ward. Traditional weaving is one of Myanmar's ancient crafts. It is an honoured handicraft handed down from generation to generation. The people of Myanmar made their clothing on these handlooms.
This cottage industry is offering hand-woven clothing and bags, and is crowded with visitors every Sunday. After thirty minutes, visitors set off for their third stop, the Shwesandaw Pagoda, which is the major pilgrimage site in the town.
The visitors have thirty-minute to tour the pagoda, and they can also eat lunch provided by the ships’ crews while sitting under the trees.
Before going back to Yangon, visitors also have an opportunity to visit a local bazaar to purchase locally-grown fruits and vegetables.
The water bus arrives back at the Botahtaung Jetty at 3 pm.
The number of vacationers on board is high in tourism season, reaching more than 200, said a member of a ship’s crew. But, the number decreases in the rainy season.
A ticket costs K7,000 for a local resident, and it includes a lunch box, coffee and bottled water. The price is US$15 for a foreigner.
Tickets are available in advance, or can be purchased on arrival at the jetty.
By Kyaw Zeya
