Inle Lake

The flight was delightful.......I was right at the front and making the most of the leg room. On landing at He Ho I got up to grab my bag from the overhead locker but no one else moved.....so I sat down again. I thought these Burmese are obedient, they're waiting for permission to move. Five minutes later, still no movement...... they must have lost the aircraft steps I thought, still no announcement. Then I noticed ground equipment starting to move away from the aircraft and I suddenly realised  - I must be the only one getting off here! Embarrassing.

A quick pump up of my tyres, closely watched by a circle of airport staff and I was on my way the 30 odd km to Inle Lake. He Ho airport is at 1,186m and it was a hairy twisting descent down to Inle Lake at 800m. The road was rough and narrow and I had to head for the verge several times when faced with overtaking trucks and buses coming towards me.

The descent to Inle. 

Look at any travel site for Myanmar and Inle Lake is on the list 'must see' places. And quite rightly so. I spent  Boxing Day and 27 Dec here. 

The first day was spent fretting over the fact that my bank cards were blocked as soon as I tried to use them at the airport in Myanmar.........I was running out of money fast. I managed to get through to my bank via Skype ,and even more amazing, managed to answer all the security questions which I haven't thought about for years. Memorable date........??....there are several in my life, which one did I choose? "Yes, Mr Wild, it was an automated block.......possible fraudulent use detected".  Ok, thanks for spoiling two days of my trip!

 

These longtail boats are the  only motorised craft you'll see on the lake. My hotel room overlooks the main quay in  Nyaung Shwe. They're fast and noisy..........and start up very early in the morning : /

 

Away from the town it is soooo peaceful! The jetty leads to an overwater village

 

I take a boat across the lake

 

 

The mobile fishmonger barters with the villagers at the back of his oxcart. 

It was a great day out. Tomorrow I'm up early to catch the  slow train to Kalaw, an old colonial hill station.  The train ride is another 'must do' as apart from the scenery it does some weird things to overcome the gradients............

(more info)

 

..........like this

 

..........and this!