March 11, 2003 Chaungtha Beach, Myanmar
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Upon arriving at Chaungtha Beach (after paying $2 for a bus and $5 for the ferry), I checked into a $3 guesthouse, then changed into my longyi to protect my modesty, and went out to investigate the beach. As I suspected, it's not the best place for watching bikini-clad babes. The place is mostly deserted, and the few people swimming wear their longyis and flannel shirts. There is nobody sunbathing, which makes sense; why would anybody want to lay out in the sun when they are out in it every day? The beach featured the usual Burmese sights of women walking around with baskets on their heads, oxe carts, and people riding bikes. I drew a small crowd when I stopped to retie my longyi, which then followed me to the end of the beach. Later, a couple guys offered me a glass of palm toddy. I guess foreigners are still a relative novelty here.
I can deal with the conspicuous lack of bikinis, but the dearth of beach beverages is unforgivable. The people don't even know what a shake is, and the fruit juice is invariably warm and overpriced. And I have no appetite for the food, either. After reading the Health chapter of my Nepal book, I think I have giardia. I'll get that fixed in Kathmandu, where there are competent doctors. It also looks like there is excellent food. I can't wait to get there.