Myitkyina's main draw as a destination is its being the launching point for a boat journey down the mighty Ayerwaddy river.
The vessel we board on the first leg of our trip is a sort of floating bus.Long , narrow and low, with a tarp draped over an aluminum tubing frame to protect passengers from the scorching sun or the pounding rain, depending on the season.
The seats are narrow and offer very little legroom.Definitely not designed with my long legs in mind! That explains why foreigners are routinely charged double as we inevitably end up needing two seats!
First come, first served, so grab the seats closest to the front as the rear ones are drowned in the deafening roar of the motors!
Note*-As of June 2011 this area is off-limits to foreigners as a result of armed clashes between Kachin Independance Army and the Burmese military.
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