Inle Lake – ClikBing

22 September 2018

I was last in Burma 32 years ago on a five day tour as that was all that was allowed those days.

I had fond memories of the one leg rowers and the naturalness of the scenery.

We stayed at a hotel of my sisters recommendation as it was perched on the lake with great views. The food at the hotel was the best we had (western style) in our whole journey.

I had a chance to try the wine from the local vineyard. Sauvignon Blanc(SB). Those people who know my drinking habits know I am not a fan of Sauvignon Blanc, but I do appreciate a good one. I am from Marlborough – the biggest SB wine exporter in NZ. Verdict….. drinkable and it tasted like a bland SB but without the cats pee and gooseberry. Glad I only ordered a glass, pass the beer please.

I read comments online that Inle lake is too touristy, and the tours are spent going to various shops. A bit like I have experienced in China. However the difference is that it was among the peoples natural surroundings and there was no hard sales or pushyness. This presented me with more photo opportunities than the enclosed fluorescent lit rooms with a security guard on the outside!

The leg rowers were a challenge though. Most photos of them are posed at sunset and their body positions do not represent normal fishing practices. They do this for a donation which we didn’t mind helping them. I also tried to capture them doing their everyday thing and also record the natural activities on the lake. They even grow tomatoes on the lake-pass the ketchup.

Apparently they are in the process of building another 60 (!) hotels around the lake.

So get there before it even gets more commercialised, but hopefully not more polluted !

Inle Lake