Inle Lake and Markets
Inle Lake was the last part of our Myanmar (Burma) trip.
We flew to Heho, drove to Nyaungshewe on the edge of Inle Lake (a very hilly Meclizine car-sick med) ride - and boarded a private boat to our hotel. The lake is over 3,000 feet above sea level and 22 km long, encircled by wooded hills. We were staying at Golden Island Cottages a beautiful resort
Inle Lake is known for its natural beauty: floating gardens (built up from strips of water hyacinth and mud and anchored to the bottom with bamboo poles; local handicraft workshops; and famous "leg-rowers." The "leg rower" fishermen stand at the stern of the boat on one leg and wrap the other around the oar to propel the boat - this gives a better view to spot obstacles and fish! (However, we never saw one.) There is also the teakwood Ng Phe Kyaung Monastery (named "Jumping Cat" monastery because its monks have trained a few cats to jump through small hoops) built on stilts on the lake.
My focus? Visiting one of the 5-day rotating markets. All kinds of hill-tribes in traditional clothes come to the market from the surrounding mountains. Remember, I told you, I LOVE to shop.
It was pouring "jumping cats" and buckets...but we rolled up our pants, put on Tevas, took umbrellas, got into our boat and putted down the lake.
