Inle Lake and Yangon

The first thing I thought when we landed in Heho was 'wow this is nice'. The temperature was quite cool compared to scorching sun of Bagan and Yangon (especially the latter). From Heho we got picked up and driven to Remember Inn in Nyaung Shwe. When we arrived in Nyaung Shwe we wandered around the market because it was too late to go out to the lake. There was all sorts of stuff at the market, most aimed at local buyers but some at tourists.

When we were done with the market we wandered out to the river, on the way we stopped at a cheap little ice cream shop. The river was a buzz of action, boats going here and there and people constantly asking if we wanted a boat tour.

We went on a boat tour the next day at 8am. Unfortunately it was a full moon and there was no floating market. But we did get to see plenty of the Inle Lake leg rowers. It was really neat, they would do stuff with the fishing nets with their hands, while using one leg wrapped around an oar to row in a snake-like motion. We also got to see ladies weaving and making thread from lotus fibre.

That evening we took the VIP bus back to Yangon. Oh was it ever great! The seats were like armchairs you could find in your living room-they reclined nicely and even had foot rests. To top it off they served us a candy, butter cake and a Pepsi. The only downside is that we got kicked off the bus at 2:00am for a half hour stop.
It was sooo hot when we got back to Yangon. By noon it is usually around 40 degrees, but it feels way hotter because of the humidity. When it's 40 degrees you really can't do a whole lot, go for short walks and then go back into the air-con room. Thank god we have an air-con room, a fan defiantly wouldn't suffice in these temperatures.

Next stop...Singapore!