"No boat for you!" - Life Along the Yangon River in Myanmar

[@DJUnduka]

This boat is going to small towns in Irrawaddy Delta Region. Some of them doesnt has road access.

[@ChrisJSetterington]

Cheers Doug! Enjoying the shorter format! It is indeed all about keeping the visitors safe, and providing an opportunity for the locals to make more money from those less disadvantaged, in my opinion anyway, which I do not disagree with at all. I have some Myan friends in Malaysia and they are the nicest people (as a figure of speech). Keep up the good work and keep it snappy! 🙂

[@kinojnap9443]

Hi Doug,sorry for this.This small boat was for local only and may be for your safety they dont want you to go in.The old man incharge was telling Pan Soe Dan,meaning Pan Soe Dan jetty and there has a Big ferry that going to the same location(Da La).The ferry was donated from Japan and its quite new and i saw it on your another video about this also.

[@chosett]

That big boat is for passengers going to several towns on the river. I tried to read the letters on it (not clear) but can only make out Bogale which is the next to last stop. The final destination is Maw Kun or Maw Kyun. I am only familiar with Bogale.

[@chosett]

When you asked the young fellow in glasses about the boat's destination he replied. 'Ayeyarwaddy' which is the proper pronunciation for the Irrawaddy River, the Anglicized spelling by the British during their colonial rule of the country. Sorry to hear you had trouble communicating with the locals at the pier. Bear in mind that these people are mostly ordinary not so well to do folks and probably didn't have a very high level of schooling. If you venture into the affluent neighborhoods of Yangon like Golden Valley where you'll see luxury homes and cars, most of the people living there speak fluent English, especially among the older generation. I know it's not fair, but that's the way it is in nearly every country around the world......the wide gap between the rich and poor.

[@jamesl4573]

I really enjoy watching everyday life activity of the local people from countries like Myanmar, where they’re not modernized yet. Myanmar seems like an untapped territory that you could start investing.

[@abdulrahmanabdulghani8833]

2011 visited Yangon & Mandalay

[@b3nice]

Those normal boats are not allowed to take foreigners. Not sure why they have that rule. There are special boats for foreigners which provide life jackets and carry fewer people. However, those boats are available only in some harbours (Pansodan Harbour is one of them). You can try your adventure there. And, the ship at the beginning of the video would be going through Ayeyarwady division. Hope it helps. Can't wait for another video. Keep it up.

[@chosett]

Yes, this is the reason he didn't take you on his boat because he's not allowed to let foreigners on (only locals) for safety reasons. I think the authorities are afraid something unfortunate like an accident will happen (or you might fall overboard, haha) and the headlines scream "Canadian tourist drowns in deadly Myanmar river!"

[@mohdk2299]

He took a ride small boat last time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5PSlaCJbZt0gbM It's the same boat as locals, but for his trip no other passengers are allowed. He didn't wear life jacket, not sure if they have in the boat though. I wonder if the same rules apply to tourist from neighboring countries or Japan or Korea as well?

[@azztaffm1365]

Interesting to see life and culture in other countries. Especially when it's not the usual tourist route.

[@WanderEats]

wow... please try to one day get across that river. I think you wanted to do it last time you were there right?

[@PlanetDoug]

I did manage to take a small boat across last time. It was at a different spot, though, and they made me take a whole boat by myself, and it cost 5,000 kyats to go across and then 5,000 kyats to come back. I spoke to someone in Yangon who takes one of those boats every day, and she pays 100 kyats. So the price for me was 50 times more. 😃

[@WanderEats]

@@PlanetDoug whoa.... that is indeed crazy mark-up

[@ignatio103ignatius2]

@@PlanetDoug took a ferry ride acrosss to Dalla, was charged foreigner price. Local pays only 300kyats and Farang much more with return ticket like 5000kyats. But i was going to Kawhmu with Yangon friend

[@tunwin9858]

Final destination of the big boat is at MawGyun township aka Mawlamyinegyun. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mawlamyinegyun

[@PlanetDoug]

Thank you. I pored over Google Maps to locate where this boat goes, but I couldn't figure it out until people told me in the comments. 🙂 I wonder what would have happened if I tried to buy a ticket on this boat. Do you think they would let a foreigner go on this boat?

[@tunwin9858]

@@PlanetDoug Never been there. But it is not a restricted area. They will let you go. I am not sure you will find a decent hostel/hotel at MawGyun since it is a tiny little town.

[@zee104]

mainly for safety reason .. as they cant strictly enforce regulation such as regular maintainance of boats , number of life jackets etc ., so they just simply dont wanna take a risk allowing tourists on these small boats .. could you imagine the PR storm , if one of those boats capsize and tourists were on it ?

[@ThuanVanNguyen]

Through this video, I learn from your low budget travel by a walk on foot and using cheap public transportation. Thank you so much.

[@sheikhhashimi5082]

Seemed to me very clean and safety

[@anoldgod]

The boat go to Bogale Small town in Irrawaddy delta

[@ahmadazfar6518]

Thank for your patient..

[@kugelschreiberzusammenbaue3585]

maybe next time you can try to carry a heavy oversized ricebag on your shoulders and see if they let you on board :)

[@youwink1]

The big boat sign says ... Pathein, the capital city of Ayeyawaddy delta region, would take about 16-18 hrs; alternately can go with a bus will take 6-7 hrs.. very beautiful port city. The man @ ticket counter says, this boat goes to Bogalay and Mawgyune.

[@anoldgod]

Pathein 1 is the name of th boat

[@PlanetDoug]

Thank you for the information. I finally found Bogale on Google Maps. And I can see the town of Mawgyun. It makes sense that the boat goes to those places because they are connected by rivers or channels in the delta. I just have a difficult time understanding the names of local places in Myanmar when people say them. 😃

[@chosett]

@@anoldgod Yes, but I don't think it actually goes to Pathein.

[@anoldgod]

@@chosett That makes two of us 😄

[@youwink1]

Neither I said goes to Pathein; I clearly said the sign says:) hah

[@mohdk2299]

You purposely left out specific description (& timing as well) in this video (also next shorter video) or you plan to add it later? The microphone seem pick up more boat's engine sound than traffic roars. Is it really that loud than traffic noise? Looks like locals have to pay to the men in charge in the hut rather than to the driver.

[@sheikhhashimi5082]

This jetty you have visited last tour

[@PlanetDoug]

It's similar, of course, but it is a different jetty in a different area. The other jetty I visited last time was about 2.5 kilometers down river. At that other jetty, I was able to cross the river by paying for a private ride on one of these boats. I was wondering if that would happen here as well, but it didn't seem to be possible. 🙂

[@sheikhhashimi5082]

@@PlanetDoug Safe sound

[@theinpe3295]

To take a boat for small adventure cross the river to Dala (Last time you visited) was denied due to safety reason for you. Want to watch more Vlogs.

[@sayargyithakhin1658]

I don`t know why they not let you ride . Actually many slums in dala township

[@Taste4047]

There goes my boat without me ; what a sad moment you spend there ! 😢😢😢

[@TheBornBoy]

I'd legit panic if I ever go to another country where barely any people speaks English. English isn't even my first language. I know this channel isn't your typical "travel videos" on youtube, but you deserved more subscribers. I really appreciate the details we can see with this "slow " type video. Btw, was the GoPro battery fully charged from the beginning ? Cause that's really bad.

[@rickjohns4287]

are u still in Yangon

[@arty2k]

Your mistake in marketing this video is that you should have used a thumbnail of the puppy.

[@kesavanpalani9659]

Small boat is not safety foreigners not allowed in this.only ferry .cost 100 kyats.when we missed the ferry from Dalla we 3 persons paid 1600 kyats in motor boat.i remember igave 25 pya for the boat upto 1965.

[@thelighthousehunter1971]

should try the lottery tickets Doug 😂

[@agentmmarts3059]

Hello Doug, no boat for you today hhaahhaa lol

[@sheikhhashimi5082]

To Boglay and Mawchon

[@chryslerh]

The old man told you go to Pandora’s Rd dock

[@chosett]

In fact, the old man told him to go to Pansodan jetty where they are allowed to take foreign tourists.

[@chosett]

@Dominic Ankai Yes, this is exactly what I said in one of my comments on here earlier. If you scroll down below, you can see my comments.

[@chosett]

@Dominic Ankai I am from Myanmar but I'm living in the USA now. I don't think YBS buses go to Thanlyin bu you can take a local bus across the bridge on the Yangon River. Please ask the staff at the hotel where you're staying and I am sure they can give you the information.

[@chosett]

@Dominic Ankai If you have trouble communicating in English with the people there and if you have Skype on your phone, give me your Skype name and I will add you. Then, I can translate/interpret for you with the person you are talking with.

[@chosett]

@Dominic Ankai Number 1 is definitely Bagan in central Myanmar. Other popular destinations are Mandalay, Inle Lake, Golden Rock, Hpa-an and a few others. There are many tourist attractions in and around Yangon too.

[@nyils2]

people whose use that small boat with cross to river high risk for life..people know it..but no choice for that..larger boat haved to corss but with limited time and shedule..small boat can gp around 4 or 5am to around 12am..but few years after you can cross that river with bridge.they start construction afew a month ago..small boat driver refuse to ride boat with you mean are..no authorize nor not permition...in Yangon river some whirlpool are dangerous for that smallboat..aslo in raining season wind and wave are dangerous..

[@telfordrunners3254]

well I reckon they don't need a loud hailer selling goods by the boat .... she just scream ....lol .....

[@thomasbroadview8321]

I will come back to Myanmar in Feb, 2020 and if you’re still in Yangon I will help you and guide you those activities you can’t communicate with locals.Don’t worry I won’t charge you.It’s free and I just wanted to help because I’ve seen that you were struggling with communication with locals.Let me know if you’re still in Yangon Feb, 2020.

[@lingdatang669]

didnt go

[@johan181161]

Next time buy a ticket before you board the thing.

[@sheikhhashimi5082]

Erawardy

[@uksrilankantraveller6783]

I’m very happy to watch your video..but your all ways uploading very long videos , long videos get boring. Because I need to watch my other Subscribers video too..this video is ok20 minutes.

[@PlanetDoug]

Thanks! Ironically, this video (and probably the others that I make here in Myanmar) ended up shorter largely because of really slow Internet at my guest houses (and the occasional power blackout). Uploading long videos (with large file sizes) just isn't possible at the moment. Maybe the habit will stick even when I get fast Internet back again. 🙂

[@thealgwhite]

@@PlanetDoug yes, I agree with Sri Lankan Traveler. I enjoy your vids but some editing down would be helpful. I'll be in KL in about a month ,for the first time,so I found these to be a great resource. Trying to decide which videos to view on you tube is the problem. A well edited 10 to 20 minute vid is much preferable than a one hour one especially because of the frequency you publish. Thanks so much for your work.....

[@aungmyintoo4635]

It seems you are the only white tourist

[@SPS-MOTOP]

narcissism, showed better how a boat with a motor works