from 'Myanmar trip' by Iluisitu (June 2007)

From Yangon:  

Night ferry. Departs at 5pm from the main ferry pier in front of the ticket office (deck 5$ for foreigners, 700 kyats for locals, cabin 35$ for foreigners, 2500 kyats for locals). Bought the ticket same day at 3.30pm without any problem. The ferry was full of local people, the deck a little dirty, get something to put on the floor. Small space if you’re tall. There were hammocks to rent for the trip, 1000K (might be foreigner price???) Maybe you can try to get a cabin for some $ asking to the crew.

Ask for access to the upper deck for best views. Nice views from Yangoon when leaving and later with the sunset. Some stops during the night, vendors got in and came across people shouting and selling. Arrived on time at 6am . Take a look at some nice views of the river and landscape during sunrise.

Accommodation:

Checked all the cheap places for foreigners listed in the blueprint guide, but all sent me to Sanpya as the only place for foreigners. There, they asked me 20$ per night so I decided to head to Pathein the same day.

About the place:

There are some interesting Buddha images and pagodas, all listed in blueprint guidebook. The market and nearby streets are quite interesting, especially for the nice colonial buildings, and the friendly people on the streets and the selling stalls.

You can cross the river, 50K, to see the big riverside pagoda from the other side, worth it. Very nice and friendly people in town, lovely town, a really great place. I regretted later not to stay at least on night there.

Internet:

There is no internet in town

To Pathein:

Some trucks with wooden seats plying the route until 1pm . 1200 kyats for a rear seat, 2000 kyats for a cabin seat, worth it. About 3 hours and fifteen minutes, bumpy road and really hot.

Bus Stops near the market in Pathein so no need for a trishaw to get to city center. I was told at 11am it was a big bus and not a truck.