There’s no retiring age, either: The eldest women approve

Tue, Aug 26, 2014

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Myanmar Is One Of Southeast Asia

buy canada goose jacket cheap As I entered the wide expanse of Inle Lake at the end of a narrow feeder channel, two fishermen appeared on either side of my Abercrombie Kent longboat, performing what I could best make out canada goose outlet in new york as a slow motion, over canada goose outlet michigan the canada goose parka outlet uk water ballet with conical baskets and oars for props all while balanced on the bows of their boats. It was absolutely enthralling. Until that moment, I’d been thinking that visiting a lake in Myanmar was rather beside the point. Bagan’s legendary pagodas had beckoned me for years and were what I’d canada goose outlet authentic come to this newly opened Southeast Asian country to see. But while Bagan may be Myanmar’s main calling card, the two days canada goose outlet woodbury I spent on Inle Lake left the more lasting impression. In fact, so extraordinary are its communities, ecology, and traditions, it could well gain UNESCO heritage status before Bagan (both have been on a tentative list since 1996). So don’t miss this remarkable place on your first visit to Myanmar. These are five reasons Inle Lake deserves equal billing to Bagan on your itinerary. buy canada goose jacket cheap

canada goose coats Life on the shallow, 13.5 mile freshwater lake is utterly captivating: With no roads or sidewalks to speak of, locals and visitors alike get around in one person wide wooden canada goose outlet website legit boats outfitted with outboard propellers, which emit a noisy whine when at full throttle and can be raised and lowered depending on water levels. Villages of rustic single and two story wooden stilt houses straddle active waterways. Fishermen work the lake, using a mesmerizing one legged paddling technique you won’t see anywhere else in the world. Hydroponic tomato farming is also big here, based on an aquabiotic system in use since the 1960s. Even if you don’t stay in one of these memorable hotels, eating at canada goose outlet las vegas their restaurants is a must. Tea is grown the world over, but only the Burmese incorporate it into their cuisine a spicy tea leaf salad that’s best consumed on a lakefront terrace watching longboats zoom by. Hospitality canada goose outlet winnipeg address students from all over Shan state come to intern at Heritage House, a canada goose outlet store quebec gorgeous colonial looking house doing triple duty as a Burmese cat canada goose premium outlet sanctuary, hotel, and restaurant; you can even canada goose outlet ontario take cooking classes and tour its organic garden. Elsewhere on the lake, Golden Island Cottages (pictured) is run by an important local minority group known as Pa O; canada goose outlet its thatched roof terrace restaurant has splendid views of both lake and sky. canada goose coats

canada goose coats on sale Bagan isn’t the only place to see astounding stupas in Myanmar. The ruins of 1,000 centuries old stone pagodas are crammed together on an canada goose outlet london overgrown hillside behind an unassuming Inle Lake restaurant. Recently reclaimed from the jungle, canada goose outlet store montreal they present an astonishing sight: Small, delicate, and closely knit, they’re much more intimate than those at Bagan and very easily explored on foot. Regrettably, questionable restoration canada goose outlet niagara falls efforts make this a sight to see as soon as possible, should its character change irrevocably in the coming years. canada goose coats on sale

canada goose clearance Over 200 monasteries dot the lake, but all boats lead to the unusual Nga Hpe Kyaung, more commonly known as Jumping Cat monastery thanks to the dozens of resident cats trained canada goose outlet toronto location by monks to “jump” through hoops. canada goose outlet usa The cats don’t do much jumping on command anymore, but they do stretch out on the floor, walk the rafters, https://www.canadagoosestorevip.com and wander about at will as cats are wont to do. The canada goose outlet sale building itself is canada goose outlet store uk a splendid wooden stilt structure that dates from 1890. Cats aside, the monastery also houses an impressive collection of ornate buddhas, brought by area residents for safekeeping during World War II and never taken back. canada goose clearance

Canada Goose sale Inle Lake has been a major Myanmar weaving center for over a century and its chief artisans are based in the village of canada goose outlet washington dc Inn Paw Khon. You’ll hear the looms clacking away through open air windows as you come in to dock. It’s a big enterprise by Myanmar standards, with several tidy buildings housing twenty plus looms apiece. Everything, from the dyes to the finished scarves and longhis (the Myanmar sarong), is done here by hand, by women of all ages (they’re allegedly more precise than men). There’s no retiring age, either: The eldest women approve designs and dying techniques, their canada goose outlet vancouver experience and taste still invaluable, even as their eyes fail on the looms. While woven textiles can be found throughout Southeast Asia, Myanmar is the only place to make lotus fabric and Inle Lake is ground zero for it, as its shallow waters create ideal growing conditions for the flowering plant. You can buy it directly from the source here, for an authentic, made in Myanmar souvenir. Canada Goose sale

buy canada goose jacket How to Get to Inle Lake: Inle Lake is part canada goose jacket outlet uk of Abercrombie Kent’s signature 10 day Myanmar the Irrawaddy itinerary, an excellent introduction canada goose vest outlet to the country that includes two nights at the newly rebranded Sule Shangri La in Yangon and a three night Irrawaddy River cruise to Bagan on its smart, new all suite Sanctuary Ananda ship. canada goose outlet shop A organizes everything on this trip. The Inle Lake portion includes all longboat rides, guide, meals, flights, attendance at a private boat race, and two night stay at Inle Lake View Resort, the area’s sole luxury boutique resort. canada goose factory outlet toronto location Should you wish to arrange an independent visit, you’ll need to plan your entire Myanmar itinerary around hotel availability here. There simply aren’t enough rooms to meet demand, and what few higher canada goose sale uk end hotels exist can get booked up months in advance. You’ll also need to arrange and pay for your own boats, meals, and flights to and from Heho airport, an hour or so away, which can be tricky to arrange on your own. buy canada goose jacket

cheap Canada Goose When to Go to Inle Lake: October to February is peak time to visit, as temperatures abate after monsoon season. Water levels are at their highest in October and November canada goose outlet factory and flowers abound, adding gorgeous bursts of yellow to the scenery. October also welcomes the annual Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival, when four gleaming buddhas from the Phaung canada goose stockists uk Daw Oo Pagoda are paraded around the lake on a royal barge. It’s a very popular time to be here. So book early if you want to participate, but note that things often shut down for the holiday. cheap Canada Goose

canadian goose jacket Myanmar Visa Tip: Myanmar’s new eVisas are canada goose outlet real fast and easy to obtain. Simply apply online, upload a photo, and pay $50. You’ll receive buy canada goose uk a 28 day eVisa by email within 72 hours. Print it out, take it with you, and go straight to passport control in Yangon or canada goose outlet in vancouver Mandalay airport canadian goose jacket.

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