Bagan to Inle Lake

Very interesting bus journey from Bagan to Inle,the same bus trip most guide books and anecdotal information sources advise against.Well the journey took 11 hours,the bus broke down 3 times and 22 fellow passengers sat on plastic,bucket sized stools down the length of the aisle and the video screen blared Myanmar pop music all the way, but the road through the mountains into Shan State was extremely scenic.The cost was US$10 what's to complain about?

Inle Lake it has to be said is everyones destination of choice,if Bagan rivals the Cambodian Wats as cultural historical monuments of the first order then Inle is the place for laid back living and tourism diversity.My day tour of the lake by high speed long tailed boat was all I expected, from the unique leg paddling fishermen to the stilt villages,floating gardens,markets and monasterys,a great day long whirl of sights and sounds and smells,total fun and costing all of US$15.

It was difficult finding accommodation here due to the influx of people for the annual festival of lights,AKA the balloon festival.It takes place in the Shan state capital of Taunggngi every November about an hour and a half away in the back of a pick up truck from here.Pick ups or Utes are the taxis hereabouts and if the journey in was interesting enough with 16 of us in the back then the trip home at 1am with 22 of us was equally fascinating,given that it was all downhill through mountain bends and hairpins,another of the road trips where darkness was a blessing.

The festival itself was a lot of fun,it is supposed to be an occasion where ones sins are borne aloft by hot air balloons  leaving one in a state of renewal,a bit like a confessional but heaps more fun.

It is actually a reason to party,a sort of mardi gras cum fair cum carnival.Thousands of people gather on top of a hill eat and drink ,subject themselves to ear splitting music and watch while large unmanned balloons are released at intervals into the air firing spectacular displays of fireworks as they rise.Contrary to every air traffic and occupational health and safety rule ever devised I suspect.They can still be seen hours after launch as a sort of newly discovered galaxy in the night sky.A highlight indeed.

I had teamed up with a charming Swedish couple Tony and Anna Christina,who coincidently will be on the same flight as me to Ngpali beach tomorrow.They are fans of Newcastle the city the football team and the brown ale,and Tony and I enjoyed more than a few of the local ales during the night.

Inle Lake fisherman.

Village market

Shan woman.

Floating gardens.

Balloon festival.