Inle Lake

This place rocks - literally. Our little bungalow on stilts in Inle Lake sways a bit each time a long tail boat passes close enough to create a wake. Can any of you remember the TV show Adventures in Paradise starring that hunky Gardner McKay? If so, you'll remember the little grass shacks with the thatch roofs where he used to seduce the local Polynesian beauties - or the rich heiress who had chartered the Tiki, and with it that tasty Adam Troy - and you can conjure up our little house on the water. For those too young to relate, here are some photos.Yes, that's David Brody enjoying retirement and the idea that two lovely ladies are draping his bed with mosquito netting. However, since the temperature drops to the low 50's at night we have seen neither hide nor hair of any mosquitos.In an attempt to head off any complaints by hotel guests, there is a little notice in our room warning us that on market days (everyday, it seems is market day) we might hear the sound of long tail skiffs starting at 4am.We might also hear ceremonial chanting from the nearby floating village. The skiffs, passing in a parade in the waterway right next to our bungalow, are powered by engines that sound like roaring lions, and the chanting is amplified by loud speakers. We are rocking and rolling here. Thus this post at 4am.We hired a boat to take us to that very market - big and bustling - as well on a tour of the floating villages where there are canals instead of streets.We watched local craftspeople spinning beautiful cloth made from lotus fibers, a local boatyard where we learned that you too can own a long tail boat for only $300, shipping not included. I videotaped a young woman making cheroots and another one blessing her wares with the money we gave her to buy some trinkets.Inle Lake Craftpeople videoInle Lake is famous for the fishermen who stand in the back of their boats and use one leg to steer and paddle, leaving their hands free to cast nets. This iconic scene is photographed by everyone who comes here. I looked hard for a different take on it and finally saw a small boy steering his boat that way.