inle lake

Our bus stopped in Nyaungshwe at 0230. The journey to here was a winding road scaling the edge of the hills. Just like previously, we were given a proper toilet stop and somewhere between Kalaw or Shwenyaung, a guy came up to the bus to collect the Inle Lake entrance fee $5. 

Our inn, which Lucyriver had sent an email before going to Myanmar, was also confirmed in Yangon. Some guesthouse may charge for telephone calls. Our guesthouse in Yangon did it for free, calling and asking on our behalf.

It was so cold and we were shaking madly and almost jumped onto motorcycles in a haste to go to our inn. Luckily our fairy godmother stopped us and advised against going with the men as it was still dark and who knows where we would ended up at. So we took shelter in the tiny bus company shop till daylight. 

When Lucyriver and Monkey asked to go to toilet we were brought by fairy godmother to the side of the shop and it came to light the roadside is 'toilet'. No matter how desperate we were and we tried, just couldn't. Thus the beginning of the ferocious battle with the bowel while at the same time trying to sleep-sitting in between cargoes loaded in the shop.

When daylight finally came, our fairy godmother insisted on walking with us to locate our inn. After a few asking, we found out the inn was in the opposite canal. We started contemplating whether we want to stay there.

Our fairy godmother and her brother are locals who have immigrated and returned for visiting with their spouses. We were brought by them to a shop to win the bowel battle. A glass of warm tea was like heaven-sent in the chilly morning. Though cold, we were quite enthusiastic behaving like little dragons emitting 'smoke'.

The shop owner through our fairy godmother called for arrangement of boat tour and bus ticket to Yangon. There are two buses departing at 1600 and 1800. The latter has stops so we went for the former. 15000 kyats for next day journey. It does not have pick up at our lodging though, mostly have.

Leaving our bags at the shop, we walked around the market. Fairy godmother was urging us to take photos and at the same time explaining to us things in the market.

This should be the instant tea leaf salad, we presumed, though more like crackers. When we came back the next day, somehow we could not locate it anymore.

 All sorts of nuts sold, usually found on tables of restaurant too.

Bars of sugar

We returned to the shop to retrieve our bags. Then we moved on to the tour boat operator's restaurant to have breakfast. Lucyriver saw this cyclo bike in front of the shop, should be able to sit three passengers.

 The evolution of the currency and flag of Myanmar, hung in the restaurant.

 The restaurant proprietor picking and plucking the tea leaves?

 Breakfast

After breakfast we walked to the canal for our boat tour. Then and there we saw our inn across the canal. The boat stopped at the 'jetty' of the inn and we dropped our stuff there. We were told the inn had sent someone to get us at the bus stop when they learnt that the bus arrived dead early in the morning.

The boat carried seven of us plus the captain cruising along the canals leading out to the lake. Seagulls were dominating the lake with each one flapping their wings and ready to take off.

 The erected signboards welcoming us to Inle lake.

 A boat transporting goods to the market probably.

 Fishermen at work

 The distinctive one-leg rowing style of the fishermen in Inle.

 Facing the sunlight, the shot caught the lake twinkling like diamonds.

 Getting up close and personal with the little fisherman.

 The catch of the day!

 Fishermen at work.

Houses on Inle lake

 The wooden electric poles

There are floating farms along the lake where bamboo poles are seen anchoring the plot. Lucyriver saw tomato plants.

More houses along the lake.

Threads are obtained from the fibre of the lotus stalks to produce fabric.

 Fabric-weaving

 Lighthouse on the lake?

 He is said to grant your whatever wish.

 Phaung Daw Oo

 Crossing the wooden bridge to get to the pagoda.

 The Padaung women in Inle lake.

 Colourful chains in a tourist shop

 Puppets

 Indein

Fairy godmother said it could be a ceremony of a child send-off to be a monk. As the tour came to the end, we were dropped at our inn and our fairy godmother and her family would be leaving for Yangon later.