A break from Buddhism on Lake Inle, Myanmar

A break from Buddhism on Lake Inle, Myanmar

The variety of activities on Lake Inle offers a different view of life in Myanmar

Burma without Buddhism would be like Rome without religion: a country without identity, without its most lively colors. With its extraordinary monuments and monasteries, Buddhism undoubtedly makes the country to what it is: spiritual, mystical and all the other adjectives that apply western writers to eastern exoticism.

Burma, now known as Myanmar, is the east of the brochures: fog that rises over quiet lakes and clad monks in hall ends. Myanmar doesn't disappoint. But similar to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, it can all exhaust it except for the most eager temple visitors.

With this in mind, I was happy about a varied day at Lake Inle. There were (of course) stupas and monasteries, but also extraordinary locals who delivered a tiny piece on the lake.

Activities at the Inle Lake

1. In it

We started our boat tour on the Inle Lake in Inthein, a village on the lake shore that is littered with old stupas. Our first look fell on Nyaung Ohak, a number of unrestored pagodas, which were besieged both besieged and surrounded by surrounding leaves. Plants and trees burst from crumbling bricks in an absurd mood, which more fits the films from Disney.

Alt = "Inthein is one of the best things you can do at the Inle Lake"Atlas & BootsExploring Inthein is one of the best activities on Lake Inle and in the area

Unfortunately, our nine -member group only had a few minutes before a coach full of other tourists arrived. In search of calm, we distributed ourselves between the pagodas and soon came across the Shwe Inn Thein, a second group of pagodas that you can reach through a covered staircase. The increased pagodas are better restored and therefore less charming, but still impressive. All in all, we found that Inthein is one of the best things you can do at the Inle Lake and in the area.

2. Mya Hintha Silberwerkstatt

The heat met us when we entered the silversmith workshop of Mya Hintha, the second stop of our inle-lake boat tour. Worktops lined the wall with young men who were bent over their latest projects and processed stone silver pieces into glittering fishing or tender cookware with their nimble fingers.

Alt = "Mya Hintha silversmith workshop"Atlas & BootsA demonstration in the silversmith workshop Mya Hintha

We looked at a silver melting demonstration and then stopped a usual support in the gift shop. There was no pressure to buy, so I stirred through the corridors, while others made one or two bargains in the group. Soon we were back on the boat and made our way to our next stop.

3. "Long-necked" Kayan women

I felt a bit uncomfortable in our hold to see the "Langhals" Kayan women of the Inle Lake, because this kind of people who rigid can feel like an ingress. As tourists stood in line to be photographed with the women, I sneaked back unsafe.

Alt = "The long-necked Kayan women of the Inle Lake"Atlas & BootsThe long-necked Kayan women of the Inle Lake

However, our guide explained that many Kayan women were dependent on tourism to make money, and that their work was quite tasty given the lack of alternatives. Our group decided not to pose with the women, but we donated a small amount of money. It felt like the right thing.

4. Phaung daw oo paya, Tha Ley

Phaung daw oo paya is considered the most sacred religious site in the southern Shan State of Myanmar. The graded pagoda houses five old Buddha statues or "pictures" that are on an elevated base in the middle of the main chamber. The pictures are almost formless in view of the amount of gold leaf applied by pilgrims.

Alt = "Phaung daw oo Paya on the Inle Lake"Atlas & BootsPhaung daw oo paya on the inle lake

Unfortunately, women are not allowed to enter the increased platform, so instead we went to a large decorated load barge that was outside anchor outside. The load barge has the shape of an Hintha (the golden swan of the Burmese legend) and is used during the annual Phaung DAW OO Festival to take the Buddha statues around the lake.

5. Weaving mill

The next stop of our boat tour on Lake Inle led us to a weaving. Here we had the opportunity to see local women that weighed fine scarves in a variety of materials and colors.

Alt = "Weberi on Inle-See"Atlas & BootsWeaving mill at Inle-See

We also got to know Thanaka, a pale yellow cosmetic paste that is applied to the face and poor of local women and to a lesser extent men. Thanaka is used as sun protection and for aesthetic reasons. A few members of our group dabbed Thanaka in the face, but I, always the Brit, held back.

6. Floating gardens

The next part of our tour was one of my favorite actions on Lake Inle. When the sun sank deeply, our narrow boat slid past floating islands, which were bound from weeds and water hyacinths. These islands act as living and working groups and can be cut with boats, newly arranged and moved- even like a piece of land.

Alt = “to see the floating islands is one of the most attractive activities on Lake Inle” ”BSeeing the floating islands is one of the most attractive activities on Lake Inle

The sloppy silhouettes made of mashed bamboo offered a picturesque view of life on the lake and a magnificent backdrop for numerous photos.

7. Intha fisherman

On the way to our last stop we discovered the famous "leg racing" fishermen of the Inle Lake. This unique technique enables fishermen to keep the boat in motion, to see under the hyacinth on the surface of the lake and throw out their nets with both hands.

Alt = "one of the famous" leg racing "fishermen of the Inle-Lake"Atlas & BootsOne of the famous "leg racing" fisherm

We sailed past the fishermen in one of these moments that often occur on trips: when everything is so strange, so incredibly different that their senses feel raw and alive.

The temperature soon fell and we wrapped in ceilings that were made available on the boat and made our way to our last stop.

8. NGA HPE KYAUNG (monastery of the jumping cat), NGA PHE

The "Throwing of the Jumping Cat" is famous for the cats that were once trained on jumping through tires.

Alt = "The monastery of the jumping cats no longer has jumping cats"Atlas & BootsThe monastery of the jumping cats no longer has jumping cats

All cats that exist now do not jump so much, but laze. Nevertheless, the last stop of our boat tour on Lake Inle was worth a break. The hall of the monastery is preserved a gentle, quiet atmosphere, perfectly to pause and think. When I hiked through the dark corners, my spirit was quiet and quiet, I realized that I was once again ready for a pinch of Buddhist spiritism.

Activities at the Inle Lake: The essentials

What: We visited the Inle Lake in Myanmar as part of a 13-day bike tour through Myanmar (Birma).

Where: The tour began in Yangon, the country's largest metropolis before led north to the Inle Lake, Pindaya and Mandalay, then to Central Myanmar with Mount Popa and the Irrawaddy River before it ended in Bagan.

The accommodation comprised 10 nights in comfortable tourist class hotels, one night in a guest house and one night in a monastery (classified as a host family).

When: The best time to travel for Myanmar is from October to March when the monsoon has subsided and the temperatures are pleasant. It gets very hot in the country from April to May.

The central regions in which Bagan and Mandalay are located can reach temperatures of over 40 ° C - not ideal for cycling! From May to September, the Southwest Monsun will lead to heavy rains. During this time, streets can become impassable, especially from July to September. The rains will decrease from October.

Like: We booked the 13-day Myanmar bike tour from G Adventures at a price from € 2,499 ($ ​​2,730) per person. The price includes all accommodations, 12 breakfasts, four lunches, dinner, bike rental (including helmets and water bottles), domestic flights, transport, a fantastic chief experience officer throughout the trip and additional helpers, including experienced tour guide, mechanic and driver.

For more information or bookings, call 0344 272 2040 or visit gadventures.co.uk.

Note that the prices do not include international flights and there are no direct flights from the United Kingdom. However, several airlines offer one-stop flights from London Heathrow via Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Bangkok. Book via skyscanner.net.

If you are considering a bike tour somewhere, read our five tips for cycling.

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Lonely Planet Myanmar is a comprehensive travel guide for Myanmar, ideal for those who want to explore the most important sights and take the less busy road.

Disclosure: We traveled to Myanmar with the support of G Adventures. All publications say that, but we really don't guarantee positive reporting. We say what we think - good and bad - so that you can make well -founded decisions with honest advice.

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