A Matter of Balance!

Some Photos of Fishermen

 








Yesterday, we rented a boat for - are you ready?  ............ $15 US for a six-hour tour, a six-hour tour.  The weather started getting rough.  Sorry, I got caught up in a Gilligan's Island moment!
Really though, I'm not sure why people say the Myanmar is expensive.  It hasn't been so far.  I guess, compared to Thailand, hotels cost more, but everything else is very reasonable.
So, back to Inle Lake.  The size of it alone is awesome and it generates its own weather.  We are in the mountains - about 3,000 feet.  The days are hot, but the mornings and evenings are cool - very similar to Sonoma County.  Fisherman in Inle really do use long skinny boats and stand on one foot while paddling with the other foot and fishing at the same time!  I can barely stand on one foot!
They move gracefully through the water and it is really amazing to watch.  In addition to the fisherman, there are many people gathering lake grass with boats sitting low in the water full of mud and grass.  We guessed that they are building up their "islands", but really don't know for sure. 

A Temple and Some Scenes Along the Way On the Lake

We visited weavers, silversmiths, blacksmiths, cigar makers and a shop supposedly set up by Aung San Suu Kyi to support the local Karen people.  It was all fascinating - and, of course, we bought some stuff.  Our hotel, while lovely with very nice rooms and kind people, is on the main canal out to the lake.  The canal is a major commerce route with boats carrying people, building materials, vegetables and pretty much anything, starting around 5:00 a.m.  I'm happy to be slightly hard of hearing!

Above Photos: Karen Beanhuskers, Cigar Maker, Weaver

Today is bicycle riding, hopefully to the winery around here - or somewhere else and tomorrow we fly to Mandalay.  Our airline, KBZ, is also a bank!  Wish us luck!