Our trek started at 8 and unfortunately we were told that there were four big hills to climb before we reached our lunch stop – I groaned quietly to myself! At the start there were frequent stops as the guide showed us the different plants – the loofah plant which looks a bit like a cucumber but is where the loofa sponge comes from, avocado (they are in season so we get lots as part of our meals!), a small type of celery, tea plants and oranges. This area was once a big tea producer and although this still goes on the people get more money selling oranges so that’s becoming the main crop grown.
There are a number of different ethic communities with Nepalese and different local ‘tribes’. Everyone is very friendly and as we’ve learnt the Burmese word for hello you see some happy faces. They chew beetle nut here and I don’t think there are many dentists around!
The hills were ones where you needed to see a point to go to and then pause there to get your breath back and then head to the next tree etc to take in the view – well for me it was to catch my breath! There was a lot of walking on the flat too. At one stage we had to find rocks to make a safe, stable path through some very wet, muddy ground. Luckily we all go through without anyone getting filthy!
After walking for 4.5 hours we made it to our lunch stop. A very good lunch awaited us! A chicken dish with lots of fresh vegies and big plates of guacamole! It was surprisingly good as we were at the top of the mountain. In the distance we could see a pagoda and behind that apparently was a gold mine. There is gold and different gem stones in this area and their near neighbours, China, are in on the act!
Deciding that I did not want to walk up hill and down dale for another 3+ hours I opted for the truck ride back. Three of us oldies decided the ride back was for us. Unfortunately I was not quick enough off the mark to get in the front with the driver and ended up in the back where we were thrown around at every bump. My arms were aching from gripping onto the side - even though the driver was doing his best the terrain was terrible – and the 45 minutes seemed like hours! Thankfully the hotel rooms have a bath and I had a good soak to ward off the inevitable aches and pains that would come. Speaking to the group who had continued the walk the truck ride was by far the best way to go!!
Heading to our next destination our trip took us to a cave which contained 8000 Buddha’s – quite a sight! Then on to see how the paper umbrellas were made before arriving at Inle lake. We are staying in a lovely hotel – mind you all the hotels have been much better than expected!
Yesterday we spent the whole day on long boats touring the villages on the lake Inle lake is 26km long and 11km wide. There are various communities and you could compare the waterways to Venice but much less salubrious!!
We visited a variety of places where people were showing us their skills at weaving, silverware and even cheroot making. The weaving was fascinating as they showed us how they make material from the lotus flower. We had lunch in someone’s home and it was delicious. I needed to go to the loo but when I went to the ‘bathroom’ I found it was a squat on bamboo poles where you could see the water below – suddenly I didn’t need to ‘wee’!! It was very clean but I had visions of disappearing into the lake! A new baby had been born the day before and we all saw this tiny little bundle – mum was on a mattress on the floor holding court.
We saw the fishermen who row with their leg so that they have both arms free for fishing. This day was a highlight of the tour.
This morning 5 of us went for a cooking class. We had a tour round the market which was heaving but the produce is so fresh and good – avocados 7 for $1!!! Typically our western upbringing got the better of us when we saw how the meat/chicken was kept! Mr Leslie, his Burmese name translated, just kept the vegies coming as we carted it all for him. There were 16 people in the group which was slightly worrying at first but it all ran smoothly. There were 8 salad and 8 mains prepared. We all had a hand in the prep and then the cooking finally sitting down to a huge feast.
I’m now relaxing before a 90minute massage which costs all of $30!!
There are a number of different ethic communities with Nepalese and different local ‘tribes’. Everyone is very friendly and as we’ve learnt the Burmese word for hello you see some happy faces. They chew beetle nut here and I don’t think there are many dentists around!
The hills were ones where you needed to see a point to go to and then pause there to get your breath back and then head to the next tree etc to take in the view – well for me it was to catch my breath! There was a lot of walking on the flat too. At one stage we had to find rocks to make a safe, stable path through some very wet, muddy ground. Luckily we all go through without anyone getting filthy!
After walking for 4.5 hours we made it to our lunch stop. A very good lunch awaited us! A chicken dish with lots of fresh vegies and big plates of guacamole! It was surprisingly good as we were at the top of the mountain. In the distance we could see a pagoda and behind that apparently was a gold mine. There is gold and different gem stones in this area and their near neighbours, China, are in on the act!
Deciding that I did not want to walk up hill and down dale for another 3+ hours I opted for the truck ride back. Three of us oldies decided the ride back was for us. Unfortunately I was not quick enough off the mark to get in the front with the driver and ended up in the back where we were thrown around at every bump. My arms were aching from gripping onto the side - even though the driver was doing his best the terrain was terrible – and the 45 minutes seemed like hours! Thankfully the hotel rooms have a bath and I had a good soak to ward off the inevitable aches and pains that would come. Speaking to the group who had continued the walk the truck ride was by far the best way to go!!
Heading to our next destination our trip took us to a cave which contained 8000 Buddha’s – quite a sight! Then on to see how the paper umbrellas were made before arriving at Inle lake. We are staying in a lovely hotel – mind you all the hotels have been much better than expected!
Yesterday we spent the whole day on long boats touring the villages on the lake Inle lake is 26km long and 11km wide. There are various communities and you could compare the waterways to Venice but much less salubrious!!
We visited a variety of places where people were showing us their skills at weaving, silverware and even cheroot making. The weaving was fascinating as they showed us how they make material from the lotus flower. We had lunch in someone’s home and it was delicious. I needed to go to the loo but when I went to the ‘bathroom’ I found it was a squat on bamboo poles where you could see the water below – suddenly I didn’t need to ‘wee’!! It was very clean but I had visions of disappearing into the lake! A new baby had been born the day before and we all saw this tiny little bundle – mum was on a mattress on the floor holding court.
We saw the fishermen who row with their leg so that they have both arms free for fishing. This day was a highlight of the tour.
This morning 5 of us went for a cooking class. We had a tour round the market which was heaving but the produce is so fresh and good – avocados 7 for $1!!! Typically our western upbringing got the better of us when we saw how the meat/chicken was kept! Mr Leslie, his Burmese name translated, just kept the vegies coming as we carted it all for him. There were 16 people in the group which was slightly worrying at first but it all ran smoothly. There were 8 salad and 8 mains prepared. We all had a hand in the prep and then the cooking finally sitting down to a huge feast.
I’m now relaxing before a 90minute massage which costs all of $30!!
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