The beach capital of Myanmar. Or how to organize a luxurious marine tropical dinner on the oceanfront for 120 rubles

Myanmar (old Burma) is the country of thousands of golden pagodas and precious stones, here sapphires and rubies are mined in unthinkable quantities. For an inquisitive traveler, she reveals real miracles. Neypido - the current capital of Myanmar, until 2005 it was the city of Yangon (Rangoon). For all history, the capital was postponed several times because of unfavorable forecasts of astrologers, but the last transfer was made to ensure strategic security.

Burma is called a country of golden pagodas, their number is approaching two and a half thousand. The most famous pagoda is Shwe-Dagon, its height is 100 meters. In addition to pagodas, the country has many other attractions.

In the city of Amarapura (the ancient capital of Myanmar) is to see the largest wooden bridge on the earth (length 1.2 km). It was built in teak wood back in the 18th century. At a height of 3 meters above the water, it is supported by 1086 piles.

Burma has preserved the echoes of the distant past, the ruins of entire cities, overgrown with jungles. And there are a lot of museums scattered all over the country, there is something to see. But the usual tourist primarily attracts the opportunity to relax by the warm ocean.

On the shore of the Bay of Bengal, near the village of Ngapali, the main fashionable resort is under construction. Before the completion of the work is still far away, so the local fishermen live here their usual life. But the bay retained a pristine appearance with the purest sand and clear water. The water of the bay is warm (25-30 degrees). In the coastal greenery are hidden hotels in the form of bungalow-houses with all amenities, and along the bay for three kilometers stretches the strip of the equipped beach.

The hotel offers a fabulous view from the balcony of the room. Caressing the wind from the ocean. Sunlight, under which the bright sparkles of the sea. Coconut palms lean over the blinding eyes of the white sand of the beach . Wild vegetation approaches the water itself. In front of the balcony there are red flowers on the hibiscus bushes. And around no one, in silence, only the splash of ocean waves can be heard. Physical sensation of paradise on earth.

Away from the cozy hotel village children gather crabs, and in the distance you can see fishing boats with forked noses. On the beach there are women selling fine pearls and souvenirs. Mostly here rest a few Europeans and Americans, prone to seclusion. Russians have not yet chosen this fertile corner.

Going beyond the territory of the hotel, you immediately find yourself in the center of the natural life of provincial Burma. On both sides of the road there are fields that peasants are plowing using buffaloes. Between the huts with the roofs of the reed walk women, carrying loads on the head. A two-wheeled cart, harnessed by buffalo, rolls. On an old bicycle the fisherman carries a night catch to customers. A crowded truck is buzzing.

In the dead end is the village market. There is no abundance, because it is not the capital of Myanmar, but there is everything necessary for the villagers. On the shelves - vegetables and fruits, rice, huge pieces of soap, irons, which are heated by coals, kerosene, clothes and even flowers. The goods are weighed on balance scales, instead of weights, batteries are most often used.

Myanmar is a country of Buddhism, so it surprises open trade in light drugs. In the market are traded nicely stacked in the baskets of betel leaves - a local stupefying plant. Smoking of opium is common. But Buddhism forbids drugs.

Burmese are amazingly friendly and peaceful. Wherever you are, whether it is a remote village or the capital of Myanmar, everywhere you will find a kind attitude of the indigenous people who are happy to help anything. Foreigners here feel a delicate, unobtrusive interest, people willingly support the conversation, and the smile does not come off their faces. In popular tourist places all can be explained in English.

A special story requires a restaurant on the beach. In the morning, guests can enjoy breakfast, European, or local traditional. In abundance fruits and juices. And evening is gourmet time. Having settled at a table on an open terrace, you order something luxuriously Marine. Waiting for the dish, watch the sunset, accompanied by the sounds of the sea. It's getting dark fast. On the table, the waiter lights candles, brings cold beer. With the onset of darkness, a bonfire is planted on the shore, sparks from which are carried away to the starry sky. And when the dinner ends, you get a pleasant surprise - just 4-7 dollars.

Every year for about a hundred tourists from Russia, Myanmar becomes a holiday destination, reviews about rest are positive, many come back here again. The country has its representation in Russia, the embassy of Myanmar is in a historic two-story Moscow mansion at Bolshaya Nikitskaya 41.