Notes on the Geography of Burma / Myanmar: MottamaMottama (colonial Martaban) is the end of the road and railroad; it's also on the right bank of the great Salween, across whose mouth ferries cross to Mawlamyine (Moulmein). There's not much town in the town, but there's a lot of activity, all tied to the boats and the traffic on them. Make default image size larger ![]() Main Street. Martaban was once a famous name, referring to the Gulf of Martaban as well as the town. But this is the center of the town today: it doesn't get any fancier than this. ![]() An elegant doorstep into a shack near one of the many ferry docks. ![]() A roof of leaves; woven walls. ![]() Riverboats come in an immense variety, including this magnificent teak vessel. ![]() Lighter boats, heavily powered. ![]() The passenger terminus of the railway from Yangon. ![]() Box car. ![]() The dock of the train ferry. The breadth of the Salween can be judged here. ![]() The track starts again at Mawlamyine and continues far to the south. ![]() Most heavy freight moves by truck ferry, however. Here's the line-up, with sailings dependent on the tides. ![]() At low tide, the ferry was almost at the end of the ramp, and the truck made half a dozen runs before it made it up, pulled by another truck to which it was tied by a cable. ![]() The same ferry terminal at a quieter moment. ![]() Downstream a few hundred yards but just above the rail ferry, there's a floating dock serving foot passengers, many of whom carry head loads of freight unloaded from trucks that come to the terminal. ![]() Waiting to board. ![]() Ferry's in! ![]() Note the bamboo sticks, proof of how many sacks the porter carried to the ferry. ![]() No gender discrimination here. The heavy sunscreen is a vegetable paste worn by most women. ![]() The same dock seen on the approach from Mawlamyine, with another passenger ferry leaving the Mottama side. The ferries aren't in tiptop shape: mechanical rudder controls, for example, are broken and replaced by lengths of nylon rope. |
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