An Interview, the Dawei Jetty, and Lunch (Mawlamyine, Myanmar)

[@PlanetDoug]

TIME STAMPS 0:20 The 10-minute interview begins 0:32 What are my favorite places in Myanmar? 1:30 What is my favorite food in Myanmar? 3:51 Where should visitors go in Canada? 5:49 What are my feelings about Myanmar? 7:41 Which do I prefer, Yangon or Mawlamyine? 9:42 My thoughts about the interview 13:12 The Dawei Jetty and boats 20:43 Stopping for lunch near U Zina Pagoda 26:19 My lunch arrives at my table 32:30 Time for dessert 35:06 The verdict on lunch and the cafe 38:14 Bonus Clip #1 St. Matthew's Church 38:49 Bonus Clip #2 A school with flair

[@philyew3617]

Beautiful Country and such amazing people. I would love to revisit as soon as it's safe.

[@killletkilllet4301]

ျမန္ မာ ျပန္ ေပး ရင္ ေကာင္း တာ ေပါ့

[@naungthanttun6726]

I have been on that same Dawei jetty more than 30 years ago while I was still in Burma. Some of those old wood are probably the same wood since I was in Burma. It brings back some sweet memory.

[@binglim1]

Doug, you are beginning to grow on me. I started watching your channel 2 month's ago on Kuala Lumpur. I just enjoy your style and presentation. And the way you talk.

[@vtecpreludevtec]

At first he seemed a bit boring,but slow and relaxed is best in Asia.I must slow down .🥵

[@binglim1]

@@vtecpreludevtec Yes. He does grow on you.

[@therock8224]

13:12 The jetty is named "Dawei Jetty" but as far as I'm aware, passenger boat services down to Dawei and beyond have ceased in recent years. I think this occurred shortly after the roads improved and foreigners were permitted to travel the entire length of southern Myanmar down to the Thai border at Kawthoung in 2013. The boats ceased operations altogether soon thereafter, either in 2014 or by 2015 at the latest. They never ran during the rainy season anyway due to heavy rain and rough seas. In those days, air travel (which was often canceled) was basically the only way to travel between Kawthoung, Myeik, Dawei and Mawlamyine (Moulmein) during the monsoon. Nowadays a reasonably good quality paved road all the way down to Kawthoung allows for year-round travel by bus or train as far south as Dawei. The guy mentioned Mudon, which is the site of the reclining Buddha, just 30km south of Mawlamyine and another nearby spot. It doesn't look like they offer services south of there anymore. Cargo services, maybe, but passenger services, no.

[@Wul-Lop]

I went to Mawlamyine once... very impressive, culture, food, people, etc... Hope to go to there again & again... 🙏

[@thetsoehtike]

i am 36 years old Burmese Buddhist but you been to more temples and pagodas than me in my entire life. Enjoy the heat my friend its -10 c in Toronto this morning. :)

[@diegoubarte5474]

You are good at story - telling..... You should write a book..... It will sell thousands.... Believe me 😁...... Excellent video.... Please keep posting your adventures from never - cease - to - amaze me beautiful Myanmar 👌👌👌👍✌️👏👏🙏

[@agentmmarts3059]

Hello Legendary Doug. More Grace Sir. Once more another great #Vlog. Safety first, Sir!

[@htetnyein]

The food that you had eaten at local cafe is called KAW YAY ( KAW stands for sticky and YAY stands for soup) in burmese.But, it is actually a duplicate of chinese food and you can also be called sticky-noddle with chicken. Ofcourse , the lighter stand is made with plumbing fixture which is also called REDUCER (20 to 15mm).Anyway, thank you for visiting to our nation and always welcome you warmly in deed.

[@kyawmino87]

Hi Douglas. Just to tell you I am still following each one of your video. I am glad that you are enjoying my home country. The thing that makes special about the broth is starch powder in the broth. We call it "Glue Noodle" if you literally take the meaning. Lor Mee is the actual name of the dish, I think. Looking forward to your next video. All the best.

[@Emieluvsskincare]

Oh, it's my hometown, Mawlamyine

[@mdmohsinranaofficial]

I most like and enjoying your blog...

[@glasssmirror2314]

V impressed with the students, their command of English and they look well behaved.However they looked unprepared so the nxt time they need to note down their questions b4 the interview Tks for uploading

[@i-will-get-you-there]

Super!! I can't wait for your next video. Your lunch looks tasty! Suggestion? Stop at a eye glass store and have them fix or get yourself a new glasses. It's had its days!! Cheers mate. Take care.

[@PlanetDoug]

The plan is to eventually get actual prescription glasses - bifocals - and then wear them 100% of the time. I just haven't gotten around to it, and I keep using these cheap reading glasses that I find in convenience stores. I just keep repairing these ones with Scotch Tape because when I buy new ones, it seems to be just a matter of time before I sit on them and break them, too. 😀 Right after this lunch, I sat down and re-taped these glasses so they weren't falling off anymore. I still look like an absent professor, though...

[@i-will-get-you-there]

@@PlanetDoug I'm sure you can find a eye doctor and get yourself one? It would be very inexpensive there instead of any other place. I'm going blind too, so I can feel your pain. Do take care. Regards.

[@vtecpreludevtec]

The Cycling Canadian 🤓 a K.L. job.

[@rajeshkumarvishwanadhan8925]

Another great vlog, you are really a amazing person, keep it going 😊 I am under going mentoring session in my company and have suggestions to read and browse internet on leadership etc, let me tell you I'm treating your vlogs as part of that.... I have learnt many facets of life from your vlogs

[@travelvideos]

People seem really friendly even when you point camera at them. That guy who was eating noodles was certainly very cool.

[@PlanetDoug]

That's true. When I looked at the video later, I worried that I had gone a bit too far in interrupting that poor guy's lunch. But people are generally very helpful in Myanmar and really want to help me have a good experience when I go into a restaurant or cafe.

[@TinaKarunaKyi]

Thank you for the superb vlog. 0:02 ‘We are students from the National Enlightenment Institute.’ It is a local NGO supported by a German political foundation in leadership training of Myanmar youths. Glad you found a spacious restaurant. The name is ‘King’s Opulence’ in English. Fittingly the noodles and custard pudding you had look sumptuous. The thick gooey broth is made of cornstarch. Hence its name ‘glue noodle’ or kaw yay khow swear in Myanmar. Mawlamyine cuisine is arguably renowned as the best, at least for Myanmar people. Hope you go to the beautiful Mount Zwegabin in Hpa An, the nearby Kayin State as suggested by the students. You might like a boat trip to Hpa An. I used to enjoy it during summer holidays visiting relatives. Please protect yourself from skin cancer and rabies. Take care.

[@riko2310]

Hope you had a fantastic time here in Myanmar.

[@PlanetDoug]

I had a very good time, and I wish I could return. I'm still very close - just across the border from Myawaddy in Thailand. But the border is still closed for now. 😔

[@joewin2853]

@22:28 Do I detect Dawei accent (speaking Burmese with heavy accent) from the man enjoying the noodle soup (Kaw-Yae-Kaut-Swe)? I can hear him asking a question to the waitress Di-Tae-Mar-Ma-Par-Bu-Lar? = Is it not on the printed menu? Maw-La-Myine has a large community of Dawei people (there is a small district called Dawei-Su or little Dawei), the jetty Doug just visited a bit earlier is called Dawei Jetty. Dawei is my grandfather's home town, I've spent a lot of time with grandfather and the family in Dawei, lots of memory from younger days and beautiful Maung-Ma-Gan beach. If you think Maw-la-myine is a sleepy town, Dawei is 10 times sleepier. I remember waking up to bells and sound of horse shoes pounding the road from horse drawn taxis before the sun comes up in the morning, today you may still see one or two of those old school taxis but most have been replaced by scooter/motor bike powered tok-toks. What a shame! Today's Maw-la-myine is about the pace of 60's Yangon I grew up in, I feel right at home. I will feel right at home at today's Maw-la-myine or Dawei over Yangon. Better yet, I will just buy a farm at Kalaw and farm grapes and make wine when I retire, the weather in Kalaw is just about perfect. LOL I find the temperature in Maw-la-myine or Dawei to be too hot these days.

[@MK-gn1nz]

Hey Doug, since you like "Kaw Yae Khout Swe" try also "Shan Khout Swe" (Shan Noodles) and "Mont Tee Thout" (traditional Myanmar noodles). The trick with these noodles is to mix them very well beforehand. If you can, add some lime, coriander and chilli.

[@Harinarayanchauhan]

You are lovely person god bless you

[@glasssmirror2314]

Should you want educational vlogs then go along with this legend

[@myominzawstudent4041]

They ( the students) recommend you the food is ‘“thing gyun rice, sticky rice, tea leaves salad” the place is “ Pha ann zwe ka bin mountain,” I think. You ate the lunch name is kaw yee noodle. Yes typically Chinese.

[@agentmmarts3059]

Great

[@PlanetDoug]

Thanks! 🙂

[@tuntun911]

Thank you for helping the interview of English speaking class students.

[@tonymoly8739]

Try Shan food. I love it when I toured Myanmar. 😋

[@deliahshaw5568]

love this !!!

[@hanwin651]

The place student recommended you to go in Kayin State is Zwe Kabin hill, which is really beautiful limestone hill/ mountain You can stay overnight at the monastery on top of the hill . Don’t need to book hotel. Just give donation . Cool place to visit .

[@PlanetDoug]

I it necessary to make a reservation at this place? Or can someone simply show up? I've seen a lot of KZbin videos of tourists climbing up this hill, but I don't think anyone mentioned being able to stay up there overnight. That is something I'd be interested in. I'll likely be going there soon.

[@Harinarayanchauhan]

Amazing representation

[@AbdulRahman-vz2ng]

I like Mohinga.Its called Laksa in Malaysia.

[@simonege7149]

I am at yangon right now, planning stay at one place for long term(2 weeks), may I know where's the suggested place? thanks

[@mmyomin]

Hi Douglas, I was watching your great videos, and saw a few times that you confused with the pronaunciation of Mawlamyine city. Some said Maw-La-Myine, some said Maw-La-Mein. Actually, Maw-La-Myine is correct Myanmar pronaunciation. During Colonial period under British, British people pronaunced the city Maw-La-Mein (spelled it as Moulmein in English ). So Myanmar People still refer the city name as Maw-La-Mein while talking to Foreigner, and they refer Maw-La-Myine while talking between locals. It is same as in Mumbai vs Bombay situation of India.

[@TrainFreakCow12]

wow love the lunch place reminds me of hong kong in 1990

[@kamchin183]

thanks for the video. you forgot to mention the food cost at the noodle place. the noodle name is kind of like glue soup noodle. because thick soup.

[@PlanetDoug]

I'm not sure I had the right item on the menu, but they pointed to it and it was listed as 2,000 kyats, which is about $1.33 US. I assume that is the price of the noodle soup. 🙂

[@myomyintmyat3309]

the thick starchy gravy noodle is called "Lor Mee" in singapore / malaysia. it could be pronounced in burmese [kɔ yei kaʊt swɛː] or 'kaw yeah kout sware'

[@PlanetDoug]

I'm glad I know the name now because I really liked that soup. I want to order it again.

[@roygoad2870]

Could you tell us how the ATM’s have been in Mayanmar, I’ve heard they can be a problem with Westerners using Visa/MasterCard etc, thanks.

[@PlanetDoug]

On this trip, I haven't used my ATM card at all. I just brought enough US dollars in cash to cover the whole time I'd be here. But on my last visit, I did use my ATM, and I had no problems at all. I made sure to find a bank that was known for its international business and that had all the usual signs for the big banking networks. And I made sure to go to kind of a central bank location where I could go inside the building to a big set of ATM machines with staff and security guards around. I try not to use random ATMs that you find out on the street next to convenience stores and that kind of thing. I remember thinking that the transaction fees were on the high side. But that appears to be a trend everywhere. But my card was never rejected, and there didn't appear to any issues with the transactions. The ATMs had options to switch to English menus, and all the usual buttons and features were there. So I had no trouble at all. That being said, I would recommend bringing a bit of cash just in case something goes wrong - an emergency stash of cash to tide you over in case you run into an ATM issue and need to sort things out. 🙂

[@PlanetDoug]

On this trip, I haven't used my ATM card at all. I just brought enough US dollars in cash to cover the whole time I'd be here. But on my last visit, I did use my ATM, and I had no problems at all. I made sure to find a bank that was known for its international business and that had all the usual signs for the big banking networks. And I made sure to go to kind of a central bank location where I could go inside the building to a big set of ATM machines with staff and security guards around. I try not to use random ATMs that you find out on the street next to convenience stores and that kind of thing. I remember thinking that the transaction fees were on the high side. But that appears to be a trend everywhere. But my card was never rejected, and there didn't appear to any issues with the transactions. The ATMs had options to switch to English menus, and all the usual buttons and features were there. So I had no trouble at all. That being said, I would recommend bringing a bit of cash just in case something goes wrong - an emergency stash of cash to tide you over in case you run into an ATM issue and need to sort things out. 🙂

[@vtecpreludevtec]

The Cycling Canadian I reckon Malaysian or Thai money would be good because so many Myanmar 🇲🇲 folk work in those places.No dollars?In K.L. or Thai first?.Witdraw some cash there from the atm.

[@therock8224]

@@vtecpreludevtec Thai Baht can be exchanged throughout the country now, and is virtually the only currency they'll accept either for spending or exchange in the border areas. Malaysian Ringgit can also be exchanged quite easily at banks and money changers in the larger cities, but not smaller places.

[@Sigma57433]

I was born at Myanmar and I recommende eating madale beef noodle soup

[@roxanne_jin]

The noodle you ate is Kaw Ye Noodle or Kaw Ye Khout Swel ( Khout Swel = noodle) If I am not wrong, that region is famous for that noodle.

[@SuperGopi56]

You could install Google Translate app on your phone, this app helps to translate a foreign language by using the phone camera.

[@kaungko7393]

Unfortunately, Google Translate is only 70% correct in our language.

[@PlanetDoug]

I tried using it when I first came to Myanmar, but it didn't work with the Burmese script. I don't know if the app has been updated to include it since then, but I'll give it another try. 🙂

[@stewlawph]

From comments, it would seem you had local traditional Myanmar noodles, well known in the area.

[@dianadee2600]

It's very hot right there, you should wear a hat. Here now it's wet season in Malaysia. Anyway, I hope that u'll pay a visit to Kampong Tengah/Kampong Ulu/Kawthoung. Keep up the good work!

[@poponew150]

How I miss the Kaw Ye Kautswae!

[@omnifocusybs9391]

Mawlamyine looks very beautiful! I want to send one of our buses there. But they are for Yangon only :(. Anyways I've been there a lot anyways. Enjoy your stay! >Omni Focus [YBS]

[@PlanetDoug]

Thank you. 🙂

[@kokosusu8974]

I love mawlamyine

[@Swampzoid]

They told you the total of your lunch in English. Does that mean they told you the amount in US dollars ? Also, do you pay in US dollars ? Nice video. Thanks.

[@sanlinhtet]

coconut rice and KITCHEN curry😂 3:35

[@sandarlwin3549]

Try coconut noodles. You will like it.

[@TheBornBoy]

Doug, there's an app called Google Lens (I think) which can translate on the fly, the app will use your phone's camera and translate to English. But I never tried it with Burmese. May not be accurate, but you'll get some idea. I'm an Asian, and I can vouch for that school situation. TOTAL CHAOS.

[@PlanetDoug]

Thanks for the tip. A few people have mentioned Google Lens recently, and I finally got around to downloading it and trying it out. It's surprisingly useful. I didn't think Google Translate (using the camera mode) could handle Burmese, but I'm having some success with it through Google Lens. When it detects Burmese, it then prompts me to translate it with Google Translate, and it works some of the time. I haven't tried it with a restaurant menu yet, but I'll do that soon.

[@H.EL-Othemany]

for the menu just use Google Lens to translate the text to English. I can't believe you didn't think of that .

[@PlanetDoug]

I do that all the time. But with menus, it often doesn't work at all. So I may or may not try it. I find that the names of food dishes in other countries don't have automatic translations into English. It's just a local name after all, and it often has nothing to do with what the ingredients are or what it's made out of. And then when I use Google Translate, the English translation is exactly the same word as whatever the word was in the original language. Sometimes it works, of course, and you can get a general idea of what some of the food is. But most of the time it doesn't help for local menus. At least not in my experience. 😃

[@H.EL-Othemany]

@@PlanetDoug ok, I totally understand what you mean. You're right.. I just want to say congratulations for the great videos I enjoy them a lot.. but they also make me sad because I really want to do what you're doing just visit places I've never been to before and just live the life.. sadly it's not an option for everyone. But at least I get to explore the world through your videos so thank you very much for that..

[@PlanetDoug]

I guess that's one of the big benefits of being alive in this time of technology - to be able so easily to find video and photographs of almost anywhere in the world. I'm still constantly amazed at what just Google Maps can do. I'm always looking at places around the world on Google Maps and then going down to Street View and see what it looks like in reality on the ground. Astonishing that we are able to do that. And I watch a ton of KZbin travel videos myself to see and experience places I've never been and will likely never get to see. I love it. 🙂

[@EternallyGod]

In my travels i would always use alot of hand gestures when ordering something. But since then i have been told that some of my gestures meant something else or whatever. But at the time, no one actually took it as a insult....like for example when i was trying to order food and i would give them a thumbs up....well in some places that is a insult of some kind....but in our circumstances they knew i wasnt trying to insult them and all was ok.

[@PlanetDoug]

That's definitely something to think about. I try to keep hand gestures to a minimum. You might have noticed that in my videos when I point out something, I almost always use my whole hand with all my fingers together. I just do that instinctively because it feels more polite than stabbing in different directions with one finger. And you just never know what a hand gesture might mean in different places. Something that is very common in Canada - like the OK gesture - might have very different meanings elsewhere. So I've decided it's best to just avoid them to be safe. 🙂

[@HiroyaMuramoto]

I also went to Myanmar.

[@overnightpc]

37:34 , kissing sound at someone is a habit to call out a waiter to let them know that you need some services while you are in a cafe or tea house in Myanmar. Or , you can just clap until they notice you.

[@youwink1]

Min see sein in Myanmar means “Luxurious King style” cafe 😂 Yah the noddle you ate was a Chinese noodle soup bowl heavily used with Chinese spices and delicious. You haven’t try the fermented tea leaves Burmese salad, yet? Aren’t you enjoying adventure in Myanmar? 😄

[@PlanetDoug]

I had some kind of tea leaf rice in Yangon, but I don't think I've had the full tea leaf salad yet. I guess I just haven't eaten in a place that offered it. Or, of course, I just wasn't able to read the menu. I often end up ordering food just as I did in this video - by pointing at different dishes or ingredients that are out in the open. 🙂

[@winkokoaung4984]

use google translate on menu, it is not really accurate but you will get hints

[@PlanetDoug]

I used Google Translate in various places, but I found it didn't work in Myanmar with the local script. But since then, I downloaded the Google Lens app, and for some reason, that seems to work better. It actually does translate the Burmese script a bit. I haven't tried it with a menu yet, but it might work. Food can be tricky, though, because there is often no direct match in another language. But, you're right, it will at least give some hints and help out a little bit.

[@kaungko7393]

Min See Sein = Wealth or Comfort like King's. They want their lighter more visible and easy to find them. Also not to be taken by customer easily. :D

[@myoko28]

Hi. it you are not sure about name of Food and place or something , then you can ask at hotel . Tell then at write burmese . I hope is easier for you.

[@raimecutie]

MYANMAR school still teach British with American slangs language. You speaking too fast for them to understand.

[@paingpaing4566]

Raime and her everything !! Yes america english so fast we can't understand😂

[@hkjai830]

"chow mien" is cantonese meaning fried noodle

[@arty2k]

Hey grandpa, when you were a kid you must have rode your bike to and from school uphill both ways?😂

[@joewin2853]

Riding 50 pound fixed gear bike uphill against head wind on unpaved roads builds character. Haven't you heard? :D

[@PlanetDoug]

Luckily, my home town is pretty flat. So no uphill climbs. But we did walk through knee-deep snow during the winter and stuff like that. "Why, back in my day, ....." 😀

[@arty2k]

@@PlanetDoug 😂

[@tonymoly8739]

Usually when I call for attention from serving staff in eateries or restaurants, I raise my hand and try to make eye contact with any of them. Making kissing sounds to get their attention seems morbid and kind of disrespectful. 😅

[@PlanetDoug]

I'm the same way. The kissing sound is effective, that's for sure. It gets immediate attention. One of the issues I have is that I'm usually so distracted by my camera and by my surroundings that I lose track of which server helped me. And most of the time, everyone in the restaurant gets involved in serving me as they try to find people who can speak a bit of English, etc. And by the time the dust settles, I have no idea who to ask for my bill. I don't know who my main server was. So, like you, I just end up trying to get the attention of anyone and then that person goes off and finds someone to come deal with me. It's always a little bit of a drama. 🙂

[@ellenkhoo1056]

,

[@alaintran5790]

Wear a hat and sunglasses Douglas or else u will get sick from the sun

[@kaungko7393]

Yes, he should wear them because UV is very high in Myanmar

[@EternallyGod]

What alot of you dont understand though, he is from Canada and we dont get much sun. It is cold here so when we go out, we are covered up and you dont spend much time outside. So for 50 years of his life, he has done the opposite of now....he is enjoying the sun....i would do the same thing.

[@kaungko7393]

UV in Myanmar is no joke too

[@alaintran5790]

Tropical weathers brutal in southeast asia

[@EternallyGod]

@@alaintran5790 When us white Canadians get too much sun, we turn into tomatoes. Our skin will get red exactly like a tomato, so it is really easy to tell if he is getting too much sun or not.