Nong Yuyu Thanaka, a girl from Ngapali, Myanmar

Nong Yuyu Thanaka, a girl from Ngapali, Myanmar

When I, mr.hotsia, had the opportunity to travel to the Ngapali coast in Myanmar, the clear memory was not only the beautiful sea, the turquoise water, or the fine white sandy beach, but also the image of “Nong Yuyu,” a local girl proudly upholding the Thanaka culture. Her smooth face, glowing from Thanaka, a traditional herbal paste used by the Burmese for a long time, became a symbol of beauty and a simple yet charming way of life.

Ngapali is located not far from Sittwe (Rakhine State), a beautiful coastline that has not yet been flooded with tourists. It was the destination I, mr.hotsia, chose to relax and experience the sound of waves and the lifestyle of fishermen. Nong Yuyu and the women in this small village use Thanaka as part of their daily lives. Thanaka is not only about beauty but also helps protect the skin from sunlight and insects.

Thanaka: The Herb of Beautiful Skin and Culture

Thanaka is an extract from a type of tree bark that is finely scraped and then mixed with water to become a white cream. Nong Yuyu told me that her mother taught her to use it since childhood. It is both skin protection and an expression of traditional beauty. When I tried the Thanaka cream, I felt a cool and moisturizing sensation different from ordinary creams on the market.

In Ngapali, I also saw a morning market full of fresh local products, including fish caught from the sea, processed seafood, and pesticide-free fruits and vegetables. Nong Yuyu recommended I try “Hilsa fish,” a famous fish in this region known in many neighboring countries, including Bangladesh (for those interested in Hilsa fish, you can learn more fromDeep Dive into Bangladesh EP 52)

The Lifestyle and Beauty of Ngapali People

Besides Thanaka and seafood, I, mr.hotsia, also experienced the fishermen’s lifestyle up close. Small boats paddle out to fish early in the morning. The atmosphere here is peaceful and simple, unlike crowded tourist cities. I walked along the sandy beach while chatting with smiling locals who were eager to share their life stories.

In the evening, Nong Yuyu and her friends sit by the beach, applying Thanaka before meeting people in the village. It’s like preparing for a new day filled with warmth from nature and community. This charm is what I, mr.hotsia, love and want everyone to experience for themselves.

Connecting with the Broader Context of Myanmar

Although Ngapali is not directly located in Kachin State, the travel routes and lifestyles of the locals here are deeply connected with the nature and culture of Myanmar as a whole, just as I have traveled toKachin Stateto see the origin of the Irrawaddy River at Myitsone or Indawgyi Lake, areas rich in biodiversity and culture (read more atIndawgyi)

My journey in Myanmar, mr.hotsia, was not just about visiting places but deeply learning about the lives of the people here, whether in Bagan withlocal foodor ridinghorse carriages in Baganwhich gives a nostalgic feeling and a genuine atmosphere of the ancient city.

Summary of Impressions from Ngapali

Nong Yuyu and the Ngapali girls who use Thanaka as skin protection represent the beauty that impressed me, mr.hotsia, the most on this trip. Besides the beauty of the sea and nature, what makes me want to return is the friendship and simple yet enchanting lifestyle.

If anyone is looking for a destination that preserves the traditional Myanmar culture and wants to truly experience it through meeting the people, Ngapali and girls like Nong Yuyu are the answer you should not miss. And don’t forget to try Thanaka to experience authentic local beauty yourself.

For those interested in seeing the atmosphere and lifestyle of Ngapali girls like Nong Yuyu clearly, I, mr.hotsia, recommend watching the videoNong Yuyu Thanaka, a girl from Ngapali, Myanmarwhich fully captures the charm and naturalness of this place.