Chaungtha Warnings Or Dangers

I cycled Myanmar several years ago.
Just a quick warning to sunbathing under the coconut palms.
Approx 4 miles north of Chaungtha is a little 'lagoon'. (little tip)

Quiet, secluded, heavenly. So I thought when I found it. I would cycle there daily taking a book and a pack up

One evening whilst having a meal with two delightful German ladies I met one commented that my face looked swollen. By the end of the meal it was exceptionally obvious.

The young restaurant owner on hearing about my day advised me it was a 'spider' that inhabited the palms often giving a nip to the farmers. The swelling generally subsiding after 3 days.

The following morning with my face swollen to elephantine proportions requiring the use of my fingers to open my eyes sufficiently to see I hot tailed it to Yangon to see a doctor.

The doctor then proceeded to tell me the swelling was due to a 'sea-food' allergy and prescribed me antibiotics! I've spent my entire life eating seafood without an adverse problem......... and the swelling started before eating!!

So my warning is...... don't doze under palms an view Burmese doctors with scepticism.

That said, for my daughters 18th next year I'm going back, this will be her first visit, my fifth and we're both on cycles...... I love the country