Blogs from Inle Lake, Mandalay Region, Burma, Asia - page 8

The afternoon after finishing the trek I didn’t do a great deal, just had a shower and went out and got dinner. Nyaungshwe seems like a decent town though, with plenty of tourist restaurants and guesthouses mixed in with local businesses and a few temples and monasteries. Initially I thought it to be quite touristy but after being there a few days I quite liked it. Next day I hired a bike for a couple of dollars and started a little ride that the bike hirer recommended. Just after I started I ran into a Swiss guy Marcus that I had met that morning at breakfast. His girlfriend was feeling sick and going back to the hotel so we decided to do the ride together. We just took our time riding along the quiet roads and ... read more

12/12/2010 - 15/12/2010 After the 3 day trek we arrived in Nyangshwe, small city nearby Inle Lake. I stayed at Queen Inn guesthouse, bungalow style with Mum, the perfect host! Due to my weak pesonality I developed another addiction here in Myanmar...banana pancakes!!!! They usually serve them anywhere in Myanmar and I would have at least one a day. For that my guesthouse was the best one I stayed....all you can eat banana pancakes for breakfast!!.. set a record of 5 big ones! First day I met some french people at the guesthouse and we went on the full day boat trip on the lake. It was quite nice: visiting the floating gardens and villages, silk and lotus flower weaving factory, cigar rollng factory..etc and of course the oligated tourist shops along the way. During the ... read more

Hello all, still in Asia -- have you enjoyed the rest from my posts? Spent the last three weeks in Myanmar and what a spectacular country, well spectacular minus the dictatorship blocking my email and travel blog sites. In spite of the frustrations of blocked access, Myanmar is an amazing country and worthwhile to visit. I'll try to keep my blog short and be mindful of the pictures as I know you all have busy lives, especially at this holiday time of year. I arrived in Yangon on November 17th via the airport with zero issues, even with the required declaration of my electronics (camera and netbook), the officials didn't even look at my declaration card. Had a few rough days after that, ended up getting very sick so not a lot of time in Yangon ... read more

Inle Lake is the Burmese equivalent of Venice with locals living on the lake in stilt houses. Popping to your neighbours for a cup of sugar involves getting your boat out. While there might not be gondolas, Inle has gone one better with its one legged boat rowers. Men stand in their boats and attach an oar to one of their feet, flamingo like they paddle round the lake either catching fish, going to the floating markets where you fight for space between the boats, or tending their gardens which also float and have row upon row of succulent vegetable. The lake is also home to a variety or artisans and you can hear the silversmiths making jewelry, the looms busy at work weaving silk scarves and see the women rolling cigars of various different flavours. ... read more

Après avoir fait notre trek de 3 jours nous avons visité le lac Inle. Tout autour du lac se tiennent les villages sur Pilotis et les jardins flottants des Intha. Le bateau est le principal moyen de transport pour visiter cette grande étendu d’eau de 22 km de long et 11 km de large. Encore une fois nous avons été éblouis de la beauté des paysages ainsi que de la gentillesse de la population Intha. Après avoir quitté les montagnes de Kalaw et le lac inle ou nous étions en altitudes, ont se retrouvent donc à visiter les villes de Mandalay et Bagan avec des températures de plus de 40 degrés se qui nous empêche souvent de visiter les villes à l’heure ou le soleil est à son plus chaud. On fait donc comme les Birman ... read more