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The next part of our trip took us up to Inle lake in the Shan hills. After a short flight we drove across country and saw one of the most memorable scenes of the trip. Fields full of people harvesting the wheat by hand. It was like something out of 16th. Cent. Everyone in the native costume; longgis, long skirts, billowing shirts and the old cone shaped hats. All with the backdrop of the Shan hills. Doug termed it Brugelesqu and it really was ...........quite magnificent. We took photos of course but I don't think they do it justice.
Arriving a the lake we took a boat ride about 20mins to the hotel. There was a growing mist as we travelled and for much of the journey we sat in an eerie silence. We saw the occasional Intha fisherman propelling his boat across the lake with the one legged motion; something which has become a defining image of lake Inle. The lake mist at the start and end of the day and the fisherman we see everyday while on Inle are stuck fast in my mind and I'm sure will be remembered when much else has been forgotten. We visited a floating farm while we were there and also a silversmith and a paper makers. Silk weaving too.
The hotel was a very original design with rooms as little lodges jutting out onto the lake. It was built in black wood which was quite in keeping with the rather sinister feel of lake Inle. We slept with the curtains open at night and in the morning it was like waking afloat the lake.
The next few days are not so interesting. We went back to Yangon where I had my wrist 'set' and plastered and then went to the beach in Arakan for two days which was relaxing. We watched the sun go down over the Bay of Bengal each night which was lovely and had our worst meal at restaurant nearby one evening which wasn't.
Next we returned to Yangon for 1 night and then 2 nights in Bangkok before coming up to Bhutan where we are now.
There is not so much of interest to write about the last 2 stops plus I am keeping this blog to a minimum on account of having to type with left index finger. I plan to fill things out when I'm home and have 2 working hands. Bhutan is interesting and I'll start on that tomorrow.
Good to hear from you from time to time Tom, flooded bathrooms not withstanding. Love to hear from you sometime Es when you have time.
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