inle lake

Like dancers poised in arabesque, fishermen hold a net in one hand and uniquely, a paddle with a leg.
They glide gracefully through the still water where tomatoes and flowers grow and scarves are made out of lotus flowers. Welcome to Inle Lake.
We set out bright and early after the usual breakfast of bananas, tea, toast and an egg, the sky bright and blue, the breeze just right.

Fishermen are uniquely known to paddle standing up, balancing on one leg, so as to see reeds that may get caught in the way. Thousands of people sustain themselves off this exceptional ecosystem, and have done so for hundreds of years.

Market stop

 Balloon man

This is actually a floating garden, and the gardener is in a boat. Bamboo poles are stuck about 1/3rd into the mud under the water, and there were miles of tomatoes, watercress, flowers...