Inle (the word means small lake) in the Shan State, in North Eastern Myanmar, is famous for its fishermen, clear waters, and blue skies.
And after the thrill of crossing the lake by ferry the day before, I was happy to be on it again.
As we motored from the canal on to the the lake we were greeted by the gentleman below. He, and others like him, pose for tourists.
Fisherman
The lake is a shallow basin, two to three metres deep in the middle and only about a metre deep near the shore and in the canals. The depth varies according to the season and the amount of rain the monsoon brings.
The fishermen are known for their upright rowing technique which was developed to enable them to see over the reeds that surround the lake.
Rowing
We were on the lake early, before the morning mists had lifted.
Monastery in the mist
But the fishermen had been out for hours.
Fishing
As the mist lifted, the blues deepened along with the shadows.
Poised for action
The men made it look easy, however they fish for hours to provide for their families.
Where are those fish?
The lake is vital to the economy of each of the nearby villages. Even the weed is harvested. It’s used as a base for the hundreds of floating gardens on the lake.
Harvesting lake weed
The Inle eco system is fragile and threatened by rapid growth in tourism, the commercial floating gardens, as well as a growing population. Due to nitrate levels and other pollutants and despite its clarity, the water isn’t safe to drink.
The good news is that a proposal has been developed to rehabilitate the lake by 2025.
WordPress Photo Challenge: Seasons
Categories: Myanmar (Burma), Off-shore Adventures
Jill's Scene 
Such beauty! I am at the tail end of a five month journey with 2 more years’ worth of future trips already in mind, now you’ve added another destination to the list.
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They make such striking photos, Jill, don’t they? 🙂
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You are having so many memorable days on this journey, this must’ve been one of the highlights.
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It was a highlight, Pauline. I took an excessive number of photos. And I missed many of the best potential shots, because our boat was moving and so was my subject, conditions that sorely tested my newbie skills.
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You are doing very well with your photos Jill, you have definitely gone past the newbie stage.
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Enjoyed this post and your work has a nat geo feel Jill! The first, second and fourth photos especially felt like I was seeing them in a professional magazine – but artistically they were fun – the leg around they oar – the star shape of the posing guy and so many tasty things – it really is a good thing you got into photography because you show us parts of the world many of us never would see –
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Gee, thanks Yvette, that’s high praise coming from you!
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🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹that was so nice of u!
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I like the photos Jill it does look an idyllic way to work but your words tell the story of the down side. Thanks for taking us along on your travels showing the both sides of life.
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I think it would potentially be idyllic, Jack, if there was a plentiful fish supply and the weather was kind.
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Beautiful series!
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Thanks!
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So very well shot!
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Hello philipcambodia, welcome to my blog and many thanks for commenting. So very glad you like these photos.
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Wonderful photos Jill. I’m so glad that the lake will/might be rehabilitated. 2025 seems like a long way away, but it’s better than ignoring it forever.
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Agreed, perhaps there will be more money for rehabiliation if the Myanmar economy begins to grow – fingers crossed for that!
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