Kalaw to Inle Lake, Myanmar

Date: 04 Sep 2010 - 18 Sep 2010
Location: Kalaw to Inle Lake, Myanmar
Camera: Canon EOS 500D
Lens: Tokina AT-X 124 AF Pro DX 12-24mm f/4
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-200 mm F3.5-5.6 IS

Filter: none
Post editing: PS CS3
Trip schedule and details: http://danlow.multiply.com/journal/item/91 Check this out if you plan to visit Myanmar, I have shared tonnes of goodies here.

Kalaw is a hill town in the Shan State of Burma. It is located in Kalaw Township in Taunggyi District. The town was popular with the British during colonial rule. Kalaw is the main place of the beautiful novel by Jan Philipp Sendker - "Das Herzenhören".
Kalaw is earning a cool reputation among budget travellers, and it’s not just due to its chilly winter weather. Located at 1320m on the rolling, pine-clad hills of the Shan Plateau, this is Myanmar’s budget trekking heartland. Located to the west of beautiful Inle Lake, some travellers enjoy hiking between the two (about 50km), on mountains dotted with Palaung, Pa-O, Intha and Shan tribe villages.

So from Kawal ... we trekked for 3 days and 2 nights to Inle Lake. The first night was spent in a the house of the PaLaung tribe, it was basic, open air batheroom(see picture below) and very cooling. The second night was spent at a monastery, we slept in the monastery with the novice monks, it was a very rewarding experience to me. The toilet is open air too, hahaha...

SLIDESHOW

Type of plantations - lowland rice, malt rice, brown rice, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, garlic, peanuts, tomatoes, capsicum, chilli, corn/maize, garlics, onions, crabapples, avocados, oranges, banana, jack fruit, papaya, pumpkins, cabbages, sesame, coffee and flowers.

Inle Lake, Myanmar

Date: 04 Sep 2010 - 18 Sep 2010
Location: Inle Lake, Myanmar
Camera: Canon EOS 500D
Lens: Tokina AT-X 124 AF Pro DX 12-24mm f/4
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-200 mm F3.5-5.6 IS
Filter: none
Post editing: PS CS3
Trip schedule and details: http://danlow.multiply.com/journal/item/91 Check this out if you plan to visit Myanmar, I have shared tonnes of goodies here.

Inle Lake is a freshwater lake located in the Shan Hills in Myanmar (Burma). It is the second largest lake in Myanmar with an estimated surface area of 44.9 square miles (116 km2), and one of the highest at an altitude of 2,900 feet (880 m). During the dry season, the average water depth is 7 feet (2.1 m), with the deepest point being 12 feet (3.7 m), but during the rainy season this can increase by 5 feet (1.5 m).

The watershed area for the lake lies to a large extent to the north and west of the lake. The lake drains through the Nam Pilu or Balu Chaung on its southern end. There is a hot spring on its northwestern shore.

Although not a large lake, there is a number of endemic species. Over twenty species of snails and nine species of fish are found nowhere else in the world. Some of these, like the silver-blue scaleless Sawbwa barb (Sawbwa resplendens), the Crossbanded dwarf danio (Microrasbora erythromicron), and Inle danio (Inlecypris auropurpurea), are of minor commercial importance for the aquarium trade

The people of Inle Lake (called Intha), some 70,000 of them, live in four cities bordering the lake, in numerous small villages along the lake's shores, and on the lake itself. The entire lake area is in Nyaung Shwe township. The population consists predominantly of Intha, with a mix of other Shan, Taungyo, Pa-O (Taungthu), Danu, Kayah, Danaw and Bamar ethnicities. Most are devout Buddhists, and live in simple houses of wood and woven bamboo on stilts; they are largely self-sufficient farmers.

Most transportation on the lake is traditionally by small boats, or by somewhat larger boats fitted with outboard motors. Local fishermen are known for practicing a distinctive rowing style which involves standing at the stern on one leg and wrapping the other leg around the oar. This unique style evolved for the reason that the lake is covered by reeds and floating plants making it difficult to see above them while sitting. Standing provides the rower with a view beyond the reeds. However, the leg rowing style is only practiced by the men. Women row in the customary style, using the oar with their hands, sitting cross legged at the stern.
Lotus thread is used to weave a special robe for the Buddha.
On the way home from harvesting weeds in the lake
Htamin jin (fermented rice) served with hnapyan jaw (twice-fried Shan tofu) is a popular local dish.

Fish caught from the lake - the most abundant kind is called nga hpein (Inle Carp, Cyprinus intha) - are a staple of the local diet. A popular local dish is htamin gyin - 'fermented' rice kneaded with fish and/or potato - served with hnapyan gyaw (literally twice fried - Shan tofu). In addition to fishing, locals grow vegetables and fruit in large gardens that float on the surface of the lake. The floating garden beds are formed by extensive manual labor. The farmers gather up lake-bottom weeds from the deeper parts of the lake, bring them back in boats and make them into floating beds in their garden areas, anchored by bamboo poles. These gardens rise and fall with changes in the water level, and so are resistant to flooding. The constant availability of nutrient-laden water results in these gardens being incredibly fertile. Rice cultivation is also significant.

Hand-made goods for local use and trading are another source of commerce. Typical products include tools, carvings and other ornamental objects, textiles, and cheroots. A local market serves most common shopping needs and is held daily but the location of the event rotates through five different sites around the lake area, thus each of them hosting an itinerant market every fifth day.[1] When held on the lake itself, trading is conducted from small boats. This 'floating-market' event tends to emphasize tourist trade much more than the other four.

The Inle lake area is renowned for its weaving industry. The Shan-bags, used daily by many Burmese as a tote-bag, are produced in large quantities here. Silk-weaving is another very important industry, producing high-quality hand-woven silk fabrics of distinctive design called Inle longyi. A unique fabric from the lotus plant fibers is produced only at Inle lake and is used for weaving special robes for Buddha images called kya thingahn (lotus robe). 

SLIDESHOW

Yangon, Myanmar

Shwedagon pagoda,a 2500 years old temple, looks like new, because it has been well maintained over time by monks and devotees, I waited until dusk, to see Shwedagon pagoda in a different perspective.

In longyi(Brumese sarong) and sitting at Shwedagon to feel what is it like to be at the holiest place in Myanmar, it was kind'f peaceful and clam there, very nice feeling. I can't believe this place is 2500 years old... it was amazing.

 

 

Date: 04 Sep 2010 - 18 Sep 2010
Location: Yangon, Myanmar
Camera: Canon EOS 500D
Lens: Tokina AT-X 124 AF Pro DX 12-24mm f/4
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-200 mm F3.5-5.6 IS
Filter: none
Post editing: PS CS3
Trip schedule and details: http://danlow.multiply.com/journal/item/91 Check this out if you plan to visit Myanmar, I have shared tonnes of goodies here.

he look ganas, the head monk of the group .. leading the way, must be an evil monk .... he look like an very powerful sorcerer :P :P

Yangon, the capital of Myanmar. To me this city is average size, I can walk the city center from end to end within 1 hour. There’s a lot to see here, certainly a lot to eat too. Street food is everywhere, some familiar some strange, I had my fair share of sampling some.
I was in Yangon for a day before travelling up to Mandalay. And another 2.5 days before the end of my journey.

Places of interest in Yangon includes the Shwedagon pagoda, which is holiest temple of all temples in Myanmar, it is 2500 years old, according to the records by Buddhist monks it was built before Lord Buddha died in 486 BC. Certainly a place worth visiting.
Sule Paya, or the Sule Pagoda is another very old temple, according to legend, it was built before the Shwedagon pagoda during the time of the Buddha making it more than 2,500 years old.

And the Bogyoke Aung San Market, known for its colonial architecture and inner cobblestone streets, the market is a major tourist destination, dominated by antique, Burmese handicraft and jewellery shops, art galleries, and clothing stores. Bogyoke Market is a popular black market location to exchange currency. The market also has a number of stores for local shoppers, selling medicine, foodstuffs, garments and foreign goods.
However most of my time in Yangon was spent walking around city streets, it was very interesting.

when I exchanged 200USD into Myanmar Kyat ... I don't know where to hide them, it was just too much to handle really ...

 

it cost USD3 to enter Sule Paya, well not really worth it as it is just a small temple. My advice is visit this one before visiting the others...

 

 

Things I like about Yangon:
- A lot of food
- A lot to see
- Highest exchange rate
- Shwedagon pagoda

Things I don't like about Yangon:
- Betel nut chewing - RED Saliva is generally spit out onto the floor, road, walking paths, everywhere.

SLIDESHOW

Mandalay, Myanmar

Date: 04 Sep 2010 - 18 Sep 2010

Location: Mandalay, Myanmar

Camera: Canon EOS 500D

Lens: Tokina AT-X 124 AF Pro DX 12-24mm f/4

Lens: Canon EF-S 18-200 mm F3.5-5.6 IS

Filter: none

Post editing: PS CS3

Trip schedule and details: http://danlow.multiply.com/journal/item/91 Check this out if you plan to visit Myanmar, I have shared tonnes of goodies here.

Mandalay is the second-largest city and the last royal capital of Burma. Located 445 miles (716 km) north of Yangon on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, the city has a population of one million,[1] and is the capital of Mandalay Region (formerly Mandalay Division). Mandalay is the economic hub of Upper Burma and considered the center of Burmese culture.

To me Mandalay is interesting because of its temples, it is very interesting to see them one by one and learn about their history and importance to the people of Myanmar. 

These are the places that I have visited:

1. Sandamani Paya

2. Kyauktawgyi Paya

3. Mandalay hill

4. Shwe in Bin Kyaung

5. Mahamuni Paya

6. Sagaing

7. Sagaing Hill

8. Amarapura

9. U Bein's Bridge

I was only there for a night which I think was a good decision. Coz my next stop at "Bagan" was even better... 

Things I like about Mandalay:

- Very interesting temples of various styles

Things I don't like about Mandalay:

- very dusty and hot

- expensive fuel = expensive taxi

SLIDESHOW

Bagan II

This is a continuation of the first album.

In this album are pictures from Mount Popa, Bagan’s Nyaung-U wet market and some miscellaneous pictures of Bagan.

Rice is always served with many dishes, the soup are particularly good all the time.

Mount Popa is a volcano 1518 metres (4981 feet) above sea level, and located in central Burma (Myanmar) about 50 km (30 miles) southeast of Bagan (alt: Pagan) in the Pegu Range. It can be seen from the River Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy)/Bagan as far away as 60 km (40 miles) in clear weather. Mount Popa is perhaps best known for the nearby stunningly picturesque Popa Taungkalat monastery atop an outcrop. The Popa Taungkalat (Taung Kalat) Shrine is home to 37 Mahagiri Nats, or spirits.

The name Popa is believed to come from the Pali Sanskrit word 'popa' meaning flower.
... and Nyaung-U is the town center of Bagan …. Check out the pictures of the market.

SLIDESHOW

Bagan I

Date: 04 Sep 2010 - 18 Sep 2010
Location: Bagan, Myanmar
Camera: Canon EOS 500D
Lens: Tokina AT-X 124 AF Pro DX 12-24mm f/4
Lens: Canon EF-S 18-200 mm F3.5-5.6 IS
Filter: none
Post editing: PS CS3
Trip schedule and details: http://danlow.multiply.com/journal/item/91 Check this out if you plan to visit Myanmar, I have shared tonnes of goodies here.

Bagan, formerly Pagan, is an ancient city(800-1300AD) in the Mandalay Division of Burma. It was the ancient capital of several ancient kingdoms in Burma. It is located in the dry central plains of the country, on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwady River, 90 miles (140 km) southwest of Mandalay.
Bagan was submitted to become a UNESCO heritage site but many speculate of politics as partly the reason for the exclusion. UNESCO does not designate Bagan as a World Heritage Site. The main reason given is that the military junta (SPDC) has haphazardly restored ancient stupas, temples and buildings, ignoring original architectural styles and using modern materials which bear little or no resemblance to the original designs. The junta has also established a golf course, a paved highway, and built a 200-foot (61-m) watchtower in the southeastern suburb of Minnanthu. Well those were just excuses to my opinion, Angkor has paved roads, etc etc as well. Penang and Melaka have even more roads and towers, bla bla bla...
It is hard to believe that Bagan is not listed as an UNESCO heritage site.
To me Bagan is amazing! This this is highlight of my 16 days trip to Myanmar.

Things I like about Bagan:
- Very beautiful ancient temples of various styles
- There is a statue of Buddha in each and every temple and pagoda, unlike Angkor Wat's temples are mostly empty
- Going from temple to temple, pagoda to pagoda, seeing them up close for 3 days and still unable to see them all. Bagan (Pagan) has over 2000 Pagodas/Temple/Stupas.
- Very few tourist when I was there

Things I don't like about Bagan:
- pheuuuu. .. it is a very hot place.
- expensive fuel = expensive taxi
- sticky gifts vendors at famous temples, so bear with it or skip those temples all togather

SLIDESHOW