A Burmese wonderland; a tale of travel in Lower and ... - Khamkoo

38 A BURMESE WONDEELA^iD.
The view from the heights above Moulmein is
really wonderful. Three flooded rivers, the Salween,
Gyaing and Ataran, spread over the country, which
glistens with the overflow of many waters. Abrupt
rocks rise sharp and lonely from the paddy plains,
giving a distinctive character to the scenery.
The Gyaing and Ataran Rivers enter the
Salween
a little above Moulmein. Of the two, the Gyaing is
the largest—a broad water-way flowing through forest
and paddy land. ^ Its quiet beauty accentuates the
ruggedness of those curious hills whose abrupt outlines
are spread along the horizon. The river-side villages
are inhabited by Talaings, light-hearted people who in
October go out in boats to the festival of a Uttle pagcda
called the Dhamma That. This pagoda, like so many
in the neighbourhood, stands on a sharp pinnacle of
rock above the river.
There is a daily steamer service up the Gyaing
River as far as Kyondo. This is the terminus of an
important trade-route to Siam. Two dilapidated
motors, each held together more or less successfully
with string, run as far as Kawkareik.- Thence the
road deteriorates. It crosses the Dawna hills, which
are inhabited by sturdy Karens, to Mya-waddy on the
Siamese border. The name Dawna means ' Hill of
Kites,' derived from the Taking words daw hill, and
nan kite. The Thaung}'in River is here the frontier
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Map Square E.M.
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^ ^ap Square E.M,