Third Time New Charms: Living Like A Princess At Inlay Lake

Monday & Tuesday
February 10 &11 2020
Two Days at Inle Lake

Once again up early for another flight in Myanmar. This time our destination is Inlay (or Inle as it is written here) lake. Our flight takes us to Heho, a small town with an equally small airport. We traveled on our favorite "bus in the sky" a twin engine prop that is perfect for short hops around this marvelous country. We've been on Golden Myanmar and Air KBZ both run on time and offer a smooth ride to our destination. On flights over 30 minutes we are always served a snack. Both airlines are very inexpensive.

Arriving at Heho

Interesting traveler

Myanmar Airports & destinations

The Heho airport is tiny and old. Getting ones suitcase is a challenge. Their automated system is in the form of three baggage guys who load up luggage carts seen on runways at all airports but, in place of a truck pulling the cart, there are two men. Passengers crowd around the double doorway hoping to be first to get their bag. And in the mix of the chaos it is possible to be injured. I stayed back and watched the craziness unfold.

Our next guide, "Te Two" met us at the airport and our adventure began. Inle lake is the largest natural fresh water lake in Myanmar. It is nestled between two mountain ranges. The lake has been given UNESCO's seal of approval as a "Biosphere Reserve." Here many tradesmen and women ply their crafts to sell at local markets and to tourists. Of all the places we've visited thus far this place seems to have a healthy economy and locals seem to live a good life. We saw TV dishes attached to many homes. Everyone seemed to have a cell phone, and many spoke English fairly well. We started our excursion by car traveling for about 45 minutes on a beautiful paved road over a mountain and then onto a dirt road through a few sleepy villages to get to the lake.

Harvesting rice

Beautiful sunflower fields dot the landscape

Our "tuk tuk" on the lake

Exciting Inle lake

Water buffalo surprise

The most famous tradesmen are the one legged fishermen who balance on one leg and wrap their other leg around an oar to steer or row the boat. This leaves their arms free to cast nets or baskets into the water and collect both when the fish are caught. They also use the oar to slap the water in an effort to "scare" the fish into the basket or net. It is a fascinating process and quite beautiful in motion.

Another trade is lotus stem fiber weaving. Women split lotus stems in such a way as to remove the stringy gelatinous fiber inside the stem. It takes hundreds of strands to make a garment. They also mix this fiber with silk to make an even more elaborate product. All this thread goes through an series of steps just to get to the loom for weaving. It is no surprise that a scarf costs $100 just for the simplest patterns. Add silk and the price climbs.

One of many weaving factories

Dyeing process

Lotus strands

Gathering enough for one "thread"

Women weaving

Boiling the fiber before dyeing process

We were not nearly so busy during our visit here as with past places we visited. Our day begins and ends on the water where we travel by long wooden boats with a "pilot and our guide. From the water we are entertained by sea gulls flying in groups over fishing boats. We see locals in their homes on stilts going about their day. We traveled to a market, to a silversmith, and to a boat building business. We also visited a fisherman's home where we saw how they live. When the women finish their chores for the morning they gather together to make a bit of cash by rolling "charoats" which is the local traditional cigar.

Boat building business

Their children

Fisherman's home

Bedroom for children, parents, and grandparents

Dining room

A bit of electricity for rice cooker etc.

Kitchen

Fresh fish no refrigerator needed

Making cigars

Filled with tobacco and anise wrapped in a leaf by hand

On the lake there are also floating gardens and vegetable farms where they grow most things organically. Cranes and large bill birds keep snails and other pests from destroying the crops and add fertilizer to nourish them. All homes and businesses are on stilts and their toilets flush directly into the lake sans paper. However, due to the rich vegetation in the lake our guide claims that the water is purified through a symbiotic relationship with nature.

Kids having fun

TV maybe?

Yes even a pagoda on the lake

Farmers returning home

The fields

Life on the lake

Net fishing

Birds working hard

Unfortunately, one invasive plant, the water hyacinth, has become a source of difficulty here. It grows quickly choking off waterways and kills the good vegetation. Large bucket loaders are seen doing their best to keep ahead of the hyacinths growth. Much like a snow plow clearing a path on our roads, these machines must work constantly to keep the water-roadways open to homes and businesses.

We loved our very serene time at the lake. We spoiled ourselves by staying at a beautiful resort called Myanmar Treasure Resort. Here we were served fabulous food and slept in comfortable beds warmed on a chilly evening by hot water bottle placed in our beds while we were eating dinner. It is very enjoyable to be treated like a princess.