Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/569741
Each room is a standalone chalet crafted entirely from bamboo and reclaimed native hardwoods such as teak and pyingado by local Inthar carpenters, and each is fronted by a glass window to maximize natural light and the spectacular surrounding scenery. Shan and Inthar silk textiles and handicrafts crafted on-site add splashes of colour while clay-oven-inspired fireplaces provide wel- come warmth on chilly evenings. Just behind the resort, the Red Mountain Estate vineyards were first planted in 2003. Today the winery produces a variety of red and white wines, including a selection of sweet muscat wines. Myanmar even boasts unspoiled beaches. The three-kilometre stretch of Ngapali, located in the Rakhine state in Western Myanmar facing the Bay of Bengal, is another key destination for visitors and developers alike. Newly opened Ngapali Bay Villas and Amara Ocean Resort are two of the better options, however my favourite has to be Sandoway Resort. Nestled among coconut palms along 450 metres of pristine beachfront and surrounded by 2.5 hectares of tropical gardens, Sandoway Resort bungalows blend Thai wooden pan- elling and Balinese window frames with traditional local Myanmar features, such as A-frame wooden ceilings, stone carvings and bamboo rails along the verandas. "My hope is that Ngapali won't overde- velop into a destination for mass tourism," says co-owner Pietro Tura. "I had the privi- lege of visiting beach resorts such as Phuket, Koh Samui and Bali when they were still undiscovered and untouched and I hope these shores won't turn into any other Southeast Asian beach resort." With the sudden uptick in visitors, Myanmar is bound to develop quickly, and after so many decades of economic torpor, it's right that it should. That said, if you want to experience one of Southeast Asia's most untouched destinations, go now, before everybody else does. DS