Wawa & Sisi: Inle Lake

After the trekking we spent 3 days in Nyaungshwe to explore from there the region of the Inle Lake. This lake is quite big, however it depends on the water level, often it is a mix of channels and floating gardens and so it's difficult to see the difference between the real lake and the main land.
In the region around the lake live a lot of different ethnic groups. Already during the trekking tour we had the chance to see some of them and here on the lake we made two daily expeditions where we could see more. Roads nearly don't exist around the lake, so the only way to travel is by boat. There's a lot of traffic, speed boats carrying tourists and locals from one end to the other, fishing boats and many other one's with local people shipping people and food from and to the market sites.
Inle Lake is one of the most popular places for tourists in Myanmar, we saw some, but not a lot, the region is big and offer many places to visit. The daily markets are very famous and an interesting visit to see people and food, there are normally 2 different markets every day, a big one on land and another floating. As well many villages with stilt houses, traditional handicrafts they show to tourists and last but not least some temples can be seen in this amazing region.

The panorama of the area seen from a viewpoint in Inthein, the real lake is quite far away.

Driving by boat across the lake the through a lot of channels and water ways offer great viewsof the landscape; mountains, villages, floating gardens, etc.

Villages are on the main land around the lake but also inside along channels and built on stilts.

Leaving the lake behind, channels continue to other places.

The famous markets which are held always on another place in a 5-day circuit. People are coming from far, different ethnical groups in their tradional clothes, and many tourists have a look around to see this colourful event.

Special ceremonies and the Long-neck people (as in Thailand) draw attention to tourists.

And finally people on water in their boats, fishing, carrying goods, etc. are the a real Myanmar highlight. Despite tourism, it's still tradition as many years ago.