Myanmar - The Inle Lake

On the second stage of my trip I went on to the Inle Lake up in the mountains. The place is special for several reasons: For one, it is a sacret lake to the locals who still worship this place at several locations. Also, these locals consist of several minority tribes spreaded all over the lake valley and in the mountains, each with a different language, customs, clothing etc. Some of these tribes are no bigger than a village. Furthermore, around the lake is one of the biggest natural resources of teak wood. Or was, I have to say. As one of the villagers told me (yes, some do speak English, it's a former colony after all), the goverment had cut away major parts already and sold it to overseas. UNESCO had pledged to the junta to start re-forestration immediately, and had given a support of US$ 3 milion. Needless to say, neither heard anyone ever again of the money, nor was even a single tree planted to save the natural balance here. I was as impressed that a farmer in the mountains knows all such details, as I was frustrated by what this fascistic junta does to this country.

During a short transfer stop  in Mandalay to catch my connecting plane to the mountains, I could take this nice example of public transportation.

Rowing with the foot: One characteristic of the fishers on the Inle lake

From far he seemed to walk over the water; but actually, he was riding on a swimming water buffalo! I was thinking already, JC is born again here...

Nearly all locals are smoking a kind of cigar, a very light blend. Especially the older women seem to enjoy them.

Friendly people all over. Even when passing in a small boat through the irrigantion channels of the fields, the local kids always came over to say: Hello, how are you?