Inle Lake2

Inle Another early morning, not that it worries me as I'm still on nz time and waking early. Back in to our longboats again.... Explore 1,2 and 3. They are actually quite comfortable with padded chairs and umbrellas for both the rain and sun. 

This is just as well as we've spent many hours in them. The three boats often race down the canals and across the lake and I've always been in the winning one... Hay Mar informs us that the only reason that happens is because she is in that boat and she always has to arrive first... here's me thinking we were the best.

We went back to the area where we were yesterday so that we could watch more of the festival. It was the final of the boat racing today. Each village had a longboat  with a crew of about 50 men... all standing and using one leg to work the oar . Lots of people, lots of noise and lots of food. We were lucky to be able to watch it from a restaurant where we had lunch. It was funny looking down on a group of novice  monks with phones hidden in their robes. One was actually scrolling through pictures of girls 

We were so fortunate to be able to be here at this time. 

Then it was back into the longboat and about an hour to another village  where we saw the Shwe Indian Pagoda complex ... over 1000 pagodas in one place... mind boggling! 

After wandering round here we went into the main Pagoda . As it was festival time many families has bought donations of food for the monks... we were all offered the leftovers as the monks don't eat after 12 noon.

It was another hour in the longboat back to the hotel. Most of us went to sleep but not for long as another passing boat took great delight in showering us with water.

At 4.30 most of the group went off to visit one of Burmas first wineries. Given the number of wineries I've visited over the years I chose the option of a shower, hair wash. clean clothes and a lie down before we go to yet another restaurant.

The trip is fabulous. I've done and seen some amazing things and it's only very early days. Our guide is wonderful (48 year old local woman) and the group has gelled well with no annoying people at all.i guess one of the advantages of doing a tour of this type is that most people are very seasoned travellers in 3rd world countries and take things as they are. However, it's not India !!! There are definite similarities but everything in India is more. It has an energy that hits you in the face that isn't here. However, Burma is still up there with one of the best places I've been too.... but the next place will be India again!