Last Day at Inle Lake. - AHS

November 1, 2014

Our time at Inle Lake has been a highlight of our stay in Myanmar. Traveling to our destinations each day by motor powered boat has been fun. Although the lake is only 22 miles long, it has taken about an hour each morning to get to our first stop, which yesterday, our second and last full day at Inle Lake, was the five day market. We shopped at the market which had both crafts and fruit, vegetables and fish. From there we went to Inn Dein Pagoda which dates from the 11th and 12th centuries. Some of the early Pagoda ruins have been restored but much of the site has not. The walk to the pagoda area and back tho the lake was quite a hike fir me; a good 20 minute walk, but I made it without too much difficulty, cane in hand.

From there, a quick stop at a silver smith workshop where we had a chance to see the locals ply their trade. And, of course, there was a shop connected to it. But nothing much to purchase, especially in comparison to our metal smith's work.

Lunch followed at a restaurant connected to lotus and silk weaving workshops and a "Sales Center". Food was Chinese, with lots of very good vegetable and noodle dishes. After lunch we toured the weaving workshops where women were demonstrating how they use the stem of the lotus plant to weave fabric. Fascinating! Then the chance to shop - where they did have beautiful silk and silk and lotus scarves in a wide variety of colors. Signs all over in different languages saying "fixed price" so my attempt to bargain was rebuffed.

On the boat ride back to the hotel, we encountered the end of Monsoon season as a huge cloud enveloped the part of the sky in the direction we were traveling. Thanks to umbrellas for each of us on the boat which provided cover and served as a sail, we were well protected from the storm we rode into. By the time we reached shore, the rain had passed. And, yesterday evening, the sunset from the balcony of our room was spectacular!

We were able to leave Inle Lake by bus instead of by boat, who was the way we had entered. After an hour long bus ride back to Heho airport, we are now awaiting our flight back to Yangon for our final days Myanmar.