After spending US$32 on a rocky and dirty night train, we were not entirely confident when we handed over US$40 each for the Shwe Keinnery Express Ferry.
The nine-hour ferry departs daily at either 7am or 8am. We bought tickets for the later boat through our hotel.
It turned out that the ferry only serves foreigners, so seats are comfortable, decks are spacious, restaurant on board provides good (though a little pricey) service, and restrooms are decent. The one which we were on today had less than half its capacity of 120 seats. The width of the river was narrow, so we spent most of our time on the upper deck, just watching the coast. People washing clothes, cows grazing, cluster of stupas standing tall and more.
The journey ended with a gorgeous sun set as we pulled into Bagan.
And Inn Wa's hospitable host was at the jetty, smiling with a sign that reads 'Kelly +1'.
I have a feeling I'm going to love this place.
Cost (US$1 = 750 kyat):
- 5,000 kyat - taxi from Central Mandalay to jetty
- US$40 - Shwe Keinnery Express Ferry ticket
- 3,000 kyat - bowl of bee hoon soup and tea for breakfast on board
- 8,000 kyat - fried rice and noodles for lunch
- 8,400 kyat - dinner with puppet show for two
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