Water World

Life on Inle Lake is, literally, a water world.

Of course we expected fishermen.

We didn't expect acres of tomato plants in floating farms.

The farmers corral floating hyacinths and other floating plants and stake them in place with bamboo poles. Then they grow hydroponic tomatoes and cucumbers using this floating vegetation as the base for the crops.

They collect other plants from the lake bottom …

and use them for fertilizer for the crops.

And when we saw a farmer walking in his field of tomatoes, Gail asked if she could try it out too.

The one instruction was to keep moving, otherwise she would start sinking into the water. She sacrificed her dry feet so that we could document the event!

Different villages on the water specialized in different crafts or industries, such as weaving…

paper making…

and blacksmithing.

And although they are not native to the lake, members of the Karen ethnic group have established a home there as well, so that they can capitalize on the tourist trade.

Living in waterworld, the children master boating early, and use boats for their transportation to and from school.

One of the highlights of exploring this waterworld was a non-commercial visit to the home of a village elder.

He, his daughter-in-law and grandchildren warmly welcomed us to their home, shared tea with us and showed off their living quarters including the kitchen…

and, to our surprise, a little shed for the hogs.

Many of the places we visited on Inle Lake have become quite touristy and commercial, but this visit gave us a glimpse of the friendliness and hospitality of the people of the lake, and of Myanmar in general.