In part one of the series; we have presented the interesting source of the River Ayeyawaddy in the form of the two rivers- Maykha and Malikha. Thereafter the Ayeyawaddy flows flexibly through plains and gorges, touring the Kachin State and Sagaing, Magway and Bago Divisions. To get knowledge from experience, our group took a trip down the Ayeyarwaddy from Myitkyina.

The atmosphere was very peaceful and tranquil with local birds like Brahminy ducks. After about four hours from Myitkyina, we came to small picturesque village called Tarlawgyi inhabited by Shan tribes. We could not start till about 10:30 the next day due to the morning fog.

As the name ‘Shwe’ implies Chinese travelers in ancient days are connected this river with gold. Even today, there are many instances when gold particles have been found in the river sand. We notice also that very carefully steering was required. However it was paradise for birds such as imperial-heron, Great-comans, Redishel-ducks, and Indian-deltas to get the daily supply of fish.

There were also green fields of mustard plant to provide edible oil for the Kachin State with the back ground of ever-green trees well-preserved in the natural and environment. Here the river banks of soft-soil are easy to erode but fortunately well-protected by grass called “Verteva”.

From here, very soon we would be seeing the 1^st defile of the Ayeyarwaddy. The 1^st defile extends 36 miles roughly from Myintha village near the town of Sinbo to Myasedi Village of Bahmo Township. It is the longest of the defile of the Ayeyarwaddy. It ends just above the Junction of the Ayeyarwaddy and Tarpein River. It was quite inexperienced to study the conditions of this defile especially the big whirl-pool of water which is caused by down-ward section. Geologist says that this could be what we call Proto-Ayeyarwaddy which flows into the Sittaung River, many miles away probably caused by detouring process in the earth cracks. Another proof which can be gathered is that the first speed of the current in the Sittaung River itself caused by geographic configuration. Now we study the first defile of the Ayeyarwaddy. The first noteworthy picture is the rock-projection in the shape of the bird-beak also called the coast mouth by locals with the background of earthen rock formation. Villagers also explain that the whirlpool give a center current effect for going upstream. The current here was really fast and the river is narrow down to only about 50 yards, and generally called Kyaukkyin (or) Rock hole by the locals. We took about 3 hours to travel the whole 36 miles of the first defile which opens out near the town of Bahmo lying between the first and second defiles. Since it was getting dark, we rested in Bahmo for the night before preceding the second defile.