Inle Lake
The airport is at the city of Heho, about 10 miles north of the lake.
Stopping for gas and a pit stop.
The main street of Nyaung Shwe, the town we will stay in at the north end of the lake.
Our cute hotel was clean. neat and a stone's throw from the water's edge. It is the 30th of December - Tree still up.
The Lake and its people
Inle Lake is roughly 10 miles long and 4 miles wide, at an elevation of 2900 ft. It has an average depth of only 7 feet, and is 12 feet deep at its maximum. The water is crystal clear. It hosts a number of fish and snail species, and supports the surrounding population of 70,000 persons. As you will see, it is a beautiful and entertaining place.
Heading out from our hotel for a first look. The city is mostly canals rather than streets. The canal edges are full of interisting sights.
Opps! Bath time.
Once outside of the city and on the lake itself, Life took on a surreal, clean and beautiful aspect.
A typical home on bamboo legs.
Local transportation is via these shallow canoes paddled by leg/foot.
Everyone waves hello.
Serene and lovely. We decided to head back for dinner. Tomorrow would bring trips to two unique spots on the lake.
The Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda
Heading out in the morning, we saw many beautiful sights as we skimmed across the glass-smooth surface.
Fishermen were out looking into the water to spot fish to trap.
Interesting style of rowing, using their leg and foot to propel the canoe. Probably would not work in anything but this smooth water.
There are Buddhist pagodas throughout the entire lake.
This is our first objective of the day - the Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. A very large and imposing structure.
The center altar
View from the pagoda. Now we are off to see the "cat monastery".
The Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery
Our destination is straight ahead, on an island in the middle of the lake.
Arriving at the dock of the Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery.
The courtyard at the entrance to the monastery.
The interior is full of the normal exquisite Buddhist objects of worship.
So, what makes this monastery/temple different from the others...
Cats is the difference! This place is teeming with cats. Because the monks had so much time on their hands, they took on an impossible task - training cats to jump through hoops - literally.
Proof! Don't you love it ? If only Islam had taken this task on...
We headed back to our hotel passing through large floating fields of agriculture. Using a floating raft of vegitation, plant farmers grow crops on top of the raft, anchoring everything to the lake floor with bamboo poles. Crop in the center is lettice, and the taller crop in the background is tomatoes.
Some of the harvest heading for the market.
Back at our hotel in time for a wonderful New Years Eve dinner and show, followed by a fireworks display.
New Years Day morning flight back to Yangon. A reluctant goodbye to this lovely lake and people.