The human inhabitants of the area are
a mixed race of sea nomads locally known as 'Salones' or 'Mowken'. Salones have their own language and
live with their extended families (dogs and cats included) onboard tarred, wooden boats. They survive
on a diet of fish, sea cucumber and island game. On shore there is an abundance of fresh water, wild
animals and reptiles to help sustain them. They are the real "Sea Gypsies" of the archipelago,
preferring not to live ashore but constantly move from island to island within the group. The 'Mowken'
are neither inquisitive nor afraid and prefer to be left alone.
Animal and bird life is prolific on the islands. Although impenetrable jungle prevents sighting of
larger mammals, their tracks are plentiful above the high tide mark on the beaches of larger islands.
Macaque (pronounced ma-cak) monkeys and large monitor lizards are seen frequently on the beaches and
rocky shorelines. Monkeys visit the shoreline at low tide to feed on crabs, eating the sweet meat under
the shell and discarding the rest to the sea. The larger islands are believed to support a wide variety
of mammals and reptiles within the dense rain forests, although no formal study has been done since the
turn of the century. Crocodiles have been seen, and there has even been a suggestion that the rare Asian
rhinoceros might still survive on the larger islands. There are literally hundreds of anchorage's in this
southern Mergui group
Seal Superyachts Asia (Myanmar) has been providing professional yacht support services in Myanmar
waters since 1997. This is from the very start of when Myanmar's waters were opened up to private yacht
visits. In fact we are proudly justified in saying that we are the pioneers of yachting in Myanmar. We
were directly responsible for negotiations with the government, persuading them to open the Mergui
Archipelago to eco-tourism and yachting. Before 97, the islands had remained off limits since the end
of the Second World War.
It is not possible for a private yacht just to arrive in Kawthoung (Myanmar's southern most border town),
obtain a permit and enter the islands. It is however possible for a yacht that wishes to go cruising in
the Mergui Archipelago to obtain permission to visit the region under the umbrella of one of the charter
companies licensed to operate in the islands. |
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