Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009
Take the Slow Boat on Inle Lake
Deep in Burma's eastern Shan state lies Inle Lake, a 17-sq.-mi. (45 sq km) body of water ringed by mountains and dotted with villages all perched on stilts. The lake is home to Burma's traditional fishermen that use a unique, one-leg rowing technique and use tall, conical bamboo nets that they gently push down into the water, giving the fish plenty of time to swim away. But then most things about this peaceful spot in a strife-filled country move at a slow clip. For a front-row seat, arrange an early morning boat ride through the watery byways, as children head to school, farmers pick tomatoes from their floating gardens and monks prepare for prayers. Half-day boat trip: $25.
— By Martha Ann Overland