The Moken Sea Gypsies

The Moken men and women are sea gypsies that are located in Myanmar. The Myanmar islands they reside in are the Mergui Island chain off Myanmar's southern coastline, in the Bay of Bengal. The Moken people are sea faring men and women that number in the couple of thousands, but this number has been decreasing over the years due to of tsunamis, diseases, and increased threats from outsiders. These outsiders can be in the form of state and federal governments, businesses, and tourists. From fishing boats stealing the seafood that the Moken men and women would otherwise fish to the offshore drilling that takes place for oil, large and small enterprises are moving in for much of the resources their home has to offer. The Myanmar authorities and the moken have not worked together because a lack of communication and understanding on both sides. The Moken folks are resisting adjustment to preserve their way of life while the Burmese authorities is implementing reform to improve tourism in the region. Training programs have been established by the federal government to teach The Moken men and women ways to make handicrafts and sell souvenirs, but one must ask if this is really what they want. Living on the sea and being sea faring men and women making the shift to producing items and selling them may be a strenuous adjustment.

The Moken men and women live on the sea during monsoon period which takes place from May to October in the area, living off the sea and commuting around isles according to the volume of fish they are in need of. The Moken build boats and utilize all the space on these boats; sleeping on these boats, developing a makeshift toilet, and designated spots for cooking. These boats are known as "kabong". They do have houses, which are strategically constructed on the eastern side of the isle to avoid the winds and waves that taken place from the south western direction. These houses are built on long pieces of wood elevated above the ground to hedge against flooding. They have developed technique for offshore fishing using tools like nets and spears. Only being able to make spears and catch fish doesn't mean that's the only things they have and need, whatever they catch in excess of the fish they need to eat, they barter at markets for other items they may find useful.

The Moken people are men and women who will soon see the growing effects of the reforms Myanmar's state and federal government is implementing; in order for these sea faring men and women to survive (only a few thousand left), the state and federal government and The Moken folks must work together to secure a safe future for them by assimilating them into the government's strategy for development. As some isles in the Mengui Archipelago are being questioned by Thailand and Myanmar of ownership, which is likely to continue as tourism and the advantages of tourism involving these islands become more evident, it's important that the Moken Men and women do not become a victim of politics in the area.

Scuba Diving in Myanmar

The Mergui Archipelago is located in the Ocean of Bengal in the Indian Ocean. The chain of isles is purposefully found off the southerly coastline of Myanmar and consists of 800 islands. A bulk of these islands have actually been untouched and unscathed by the external world, permitting the marine life to prosper under these problems. Due to this unblemished environment by outsiders, the volume of unique fish have actually been able to grow, making this chain of islands excellent for diving and snorkeling.

Going to these Myanmar islands will certainly be an adventure and a trip outside of the regular scuba divers suffering; numerous of the accommodations and infrastructure that exist in lots of other unusual places will not be existent listed here. But for some, this costs the sacrifice in lodgings and "roughing it". Once you get to these scuba locations by boat. Its well worth the journey because of the marine life that one will certainly have the ability to see from the pristine clear waters that have not been scourged by human communication.

Among the most interesting type of marine life an individual will be enthused to see, because of the threat entailed when seeing these fish, are sharks. In the Mergui Island chain, one will be able to see whale Sharks, gray coral reef sharks, and tip sharks. If one is not looking to place themselves in a circumstance of danger playing with sharks, there is lots of other naval life that can easily be discovered around these Myanmar islands. Barracuda, batfish, tuna, frogfish, cuttlefish exist to check out while diving.

The quest included when scuba diving isn't really practically the naval life you see, it's additionally regarding the situations the dive happens. Circumstances includes the location of the dive, how well-liked the dive website is, how many scuba divers have actually been to this website. The circumstances beyond the marine life for divers is big; visiting an unoccupied isle at a location that has been closed by the government in Myanmar sound attracting? Not many individuals have actually done it and the pictures and experience these Myanmar Islands have to offer are unparalleled!

Its crucial for scuba divers and vacationers who wish to check out these distant areas in the island chain to do so in an honest method to maintain the stability of the marine life there. It's really essential for travelers, people that dive, or people who wants diving to try and preserve the environment they are diving in, while respecting the culture. For instance, in neighboring Thailand, in its southerly regions where beautiful islands are located, some can say the allure and naval life may of dropped its touch due to the excess increase if tourist and diving in numerous locations in the south. It is necessary for Myanmar to discover a balance in between opening up these diving locations more and preserving the marine life that already exists there.

Myanmar's Uninhabited Islands of Beauty

Myanmar's beauty can possibly be illustrated through its natural wonders and grand locations, Myanmar's location makes this nation a prime location for holidays, being purposefully positioned right between India, China, Laos, and Thailand. From gorgeous snow covered mountains in the north around India and China to the lovely Myanmar islands in the south beside Thailand, Myanmar has allot of possibilities to reveal to the world its natural beauty. Several of these areas of all-natural beauty have definitely been untapped by the outside world and visitors alike, but as the country executes reforms and improvements, it's only a matter of time before Myanmar becomes a prominent tourist place.

The very best secret jewel Myanmar has to offer is Myanmar's islands situated in the southern part of Myanmar. The Mergui Islands is dotted with 800 tropical islands in a 10,000 sq. mile area. Unlike many of the isles in Thailand situated nearby, a bulk of these remote islands have been unpopulated and has observed very limited tourism. Only a few dozen tourists monthly have been permitted to visit a couple of these Myanmar isles consisting of the islands.

These Myanmar islands have been separated to the point that the wildlife on these tropical islands and marine life under has flourished within this untouched environment. The diversity of wild animals on these islands vary between from typical birds like sea eagles to exotic animals like Tigers. Different other forms of animals also populate the remote island like elephants, rhinoceros, crocodiles, cattle, and pigs. The marine life that exists on these Myanmar tropical islands are various forms of fish, sea turtles, and even dolphins. Based upon the wild animals and marine life on these tropical islands alone make these Myanmar remote island a destination for tourism.

The few indigenous people who fish around these, also named "Salone's", are found around a small amount of these isles. These are seafaring individuals who still use the same procedures of kayak building, fishing, and lifestyle that have been passed from generation to generation. These sea gypsies survive the sea for around a half year, and the other half of the year throughout the storm weather condition. 10 feet high surfs can go on during the monsoon period, making things dangerous to be in open oceans.

Of all the Myanmar isles in the island chain, the one island that best illustrates the aesthetics of this islands is Lumpi Remote island. With its soft white sandy beaches and crystal clear aqua blue water, intertwined with marine wild animals and its ecosystems above, displays how nature and animals can flourish in paradise. A person might have a difficult time finding a hotel or a lodging to remain in, much less any hint of people because the remote island is completely unblemished and unoccupied.

The Myanmar remote islands located in the Mergui Archipelago is a good example of an unfamiliar jewel and area of the world that has very much to supply in beauty and customs. As Myanmar continues to make reforms and its tourism moves on with these reforms, it's only a matter of time before the Myanmar islands situated in this area of the country open to tourism. Myanmar's authorities and its local sea gypsies will have to work together so as to maintain the elegance of this islands during the onset of this travel and leisure increase.