The early morning calmness presented the Burmese architecture at lobby in a different light – vaulted ceiling with wooden pillars and artifacts stretching to the roof, humongous one piece wooden tables ~ 4 I x 20I, chairs with tall back rest, neatly drawn out curtains…
We started off early morning and hit the Inle lake by a narrow boat (width accommodating one seater) powered by a motor. The morning activities by the shore and in pockets in the floating gardens were in full swing.
The 40-minute ride took us to a local market selling veggies, dried food, trinkets… Probably spurred by the low tourist season, the trinket sellers by boat were desperate to push for quick sale yet in a ‘civil’ manner. We picked up a few artifacts by the market. More than the market, it was intriguing to peak into a monastery where women monks were taking a break from their sessions. All of them clad in a uniform sort with white top and dark brown ‘lungi’
Next, we stopped by a local weaving factory where lotus stalks are harvested, fiber extracted, and woven into various garments, followed by an outlet where the Kayan tribes were at ‘display’ for their neck rings as well as many other traditional artifacts such as shawls. To begin with, it was a queasy feeling of being a witness to exhibitionism of Kayan women with their seemingly uneasy neck rings. They were not after any pittance for exhibitionism. Soe struck a chit chat with the ladies and helped translate a few of our queries. They seemed proud of the rings and every new turns they manage to add on to the rings, further stretching out the necks! They are at the point of no return in that for the rest of their lives the rings are mandatory to support the elongated necks! Albeit, they seemed at peace and content.
We traversed through the floating farms. Farmers busily pruning and harvesting tomatoes and other produce. On the return trip to the hotel, we went past a numerous laden boats filled to the brim of the hull and beyond with loads of tomatoes.
We packed our bags, and checked-out of our room. We received a very warm farewell by the hotel staff family, accompanied by one of the staff’s 8 month old baby. Again, we had to decline the help from the women crew to move our luggage. We requested the crew for a photo – the unscripted pose from four women was very striking in that it was quite uniform, left hand palm over the right hand knuckles and held below the waist. And just before we took off, the staff helped us make ‘Thanaka’ paste to smear on our face! Thanaka – yellowish paste made from ground tree bark and applied to cheeks and hands to prevent sun burns
A four hour ride through mountains took us to a transit town for a night halt
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