nomadsally: 6. Burma - Beautiful Inle Lake, Shan State, Burma or Myanmar

Inle Lake Paradise

and Nyaungshwe

Fishing in a Graceful teak long boat along Inle Lake
is a Touch of Paradise

Inle Lake is Southwest of Kentung

Located in the middle of Shan State, Inle Lake (about 20 miles long) is surrounded by tree covered hills, stilt-house villages, floating gardens ((hydroponic), and pagodas. Unfortunately, its beauty and charm is drawing hundreds of people daily from all over the world, causing an explosion on its resources. I wonder about the future here.

In addition to the surge of tourism, other Income sources in the lake area include fishing, farming (raising vegetables on the floating gardens (hydroponic) weaving cotton, silk, and lotus fiber, and gold and silver smithing.

Intha Fisherman Leg Rowing
One leg is Wrapped Around Paddle

Boats are the main source of transportation. We loved exploring the many village markets around the lake in a motorized teak long boat style canoe and watching the graceful local Inthar fishermen leg rowing their flat bottom skiffs - one leg is wrapped around their paddle to drive the blade through the water in a graceful snake-like motion. Thus. their hands are free to manage the nets and the standing position while rowing enables them to see fish better and place their nets.

Life in Stilt Houses on the Lake

Laundry Day

Most Inthar houses around the lake are built on wooden pilings about 6-10 feet above the water. Materials include wood, bamboo and palm thatch.

Row To Your Favorite Restaurant

Hydroponic Gardening
Lots of Tomatoes

Buddhist Temple and Monastery on Inle Lake

The dominant ethnic group of the lake region is the Inthar who are Buddhists and there is a shrine in most households as well as golden pagodas everywhere. Like all Buddhists in Myanmar, it is essential for males to enter the monkhood at some period of their lives with the idea of gaining merit toward attaining the enlightened state of Nirvanna. Most Inthar first join the novicehood for a short period when they are 5, then another short period when they are 20.

In addition to the Inthar people, another ethnic group visible in the markets is the Pa Oh people who are distinguished by their black tunic tops with slight touches of red embroidery, black skirts, and colorfully wrapped wool head scarves. The Shan people also have a major role in their Shan state.

Pa Oh and Inthar Women in Inthein Market Along the Lake

Of the 25 regional villages that share the 5 day market rotation around Inle Lake, we visited Mingala market in Nyaungshwe, Than Taung (in southern area of lake), In Thaw Khone (famous for weaving lotus plant), the lovely village of Inthein, and Shan state capital, Taunggye.

Child Wearing Thanakha
A Burmese Sun Cream and Moisturizer
Made from a sandalwood-like log, ground to a paste

Pa Oh Women Returning Home From Market
A 3 Hour trip on Truck

Weaving the Lotus Plant
Unique to Inle Lake

Aquarius Lake Inn Guest House is our home in Nyaungshwe, located at the north end of Inle Lake. It's a great place to exchange travel tips and help from capable staff and fellow voyagers. Every afternoon after our daily exploring they offer fruit and tea.

Buddhist monks and nuns are visible everywhere in Nyuangshwe and their chanting lends a peaceful sound to this world.

Food is most nutritional with an abundance of restaurants along every street. Wonderful tropical fruit: papaya, avocado, oranges, melons, coconuts. A popular salad is made of pickled tea leaves with roasted nuts, beans, sesame, chillies, and lime. Spicy soups of fish, chicken, water buffalo, beef and mild curries are delicious as well as hot and sour choices.
A good noodle dish, called Mohinga, consists of thin sliced noodles eaten with a fish broth cooked with lots of lemongrass and slices of the inner banana stem for crunch. Lucky Star and Green Chili restaurants have been our favorites in Nyaungshwe.