Myanmar (Burma)

On Inle, part two

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At Nyaung Shwe and Inle Lake in the Shan State, Myanmar, hiring a boat for the day is a must do.

Aside from the chance to enjoy the beauty of the lake, a boatman will take you places that are otherwise difficult to visit. My previous post, On Inle, shows you the activity on the lake itself, this post focusses more on life on the lake shore.

There are artisan villages each with their own speciality, including silversmiths, weavers, and cheroot makers.

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An abstract pattern: preparing silk thread for weaving at In Paw Khone village on Inle Lake

 

There’s also a daily market, the location of which rotates between the villages surrounding the lake. The day we hired a boat the market was at Inn Dein.

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Time for a cuppa at Inn Dein Market

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Coconut seller at Inn Dein Market

Although it was the beginning of the dry season, afternoon showers were common. The boatman provided umbrellas and our plastic ponchos that had been essential in Laos got another work out.

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Weather — we did get wet

We ate our lunch taking in this view of Phaung Daw Oo Paya.

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Phaung Daw Oo Paya

The Paya houses Buddha images so reverered they are unrecognisable due to the layers of gold gilt applied by the devout.

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Making merit

The Nga Hpe Kyaung monastery is another popular place to stop. Apart from its stunningly beautiful location, on stilts over the lake,  it’s famous for the cats which monks have trained to jump through hoops. I saw the cats, surrounded by tourists, but they weren’t jumping that day. The monks went about their business, oblivious to the hordes of visitors.

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A quiet corner at Nga Hpe Kyaung monastery

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World of his own (Nga Hpe Kyaung Monastery)

Where-ever I looked there was activity on the lake and in the canals.

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Soon to be a boatman

Our boatman was patient, attended to our requests, and when necessary helped me clamber in and out of the boat.

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Our boatman

Top tips:
A boat will cost approximately 18,000 Kyat for the day.
Book a boat through your hotel or guest house, rather than from the street.
Take a rain poncho. Some snacks might be a good idea, too —I was starving by the time we encountered our first food stall.
There’s a typical itinerary for a day on the lake but if visiting artisan studios isn’t your thing, tell your boatman.

 

Where’s my backpack? Travel theme: abstract
WordPress Photo Challenge: Seasons

Categories: Myanmar (Burma), Off-shore Adventures

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14 replies »

  1. One of my favorite places in Myanmar (then again, I say that about every area!), but Inle Lake is special and you really bring it to life with your words and photographs. The first shot is FANTASTIC – capturing the movement, contrast and colors.

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    • Inle is a very special place, Randall. I hope they’ll be able to keep it that way. That first shot is a favourite of mine, too! I was able to grab the opportunity and grab the shot!

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    • Thanks for visiting and commenting, Book Club Mom. That first photo is one of my favourites from the entire trip — I come from a long line of women adept at handcrafts, I love seeing craftswomen at work.

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  5. The quiet corner (cool corridor) and coconut seller (chilling body posture with that smoking – whew says so much) were my top two of this post – and I kept turning my phone trying to see the tea in the cuppa shot! U can see a cup and so much of their attire – but was so curious to see in that little circle of theirs! So culture rich ❤️❤️💛💛

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