Myanmar Feb
2016
Lake Inle
Boat Tour Part 2
24 Feb 1016
Our next
itinerary was another historical site that reminds me of the ruins in Angkor
Wat. It’s the ancient pagodas of Nyaung Ohak. Several temples had crumbled and
trees and plants grow over the pagodas and stupas. It is a real pity there are hardly any restoration in place
This
village is also a refueling and transport centre for the people around here.
We headed
for Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda. This is the most revered monastery in the Inle Lake
area. It houses five ancient images of Buddha. It is also the site of annual
pagoda festival when the royal barge is used. Devotees come to the monastery to pay respect
with gold leaves.
Opposite this monastery is a huge cluster of floating gardens. Notes form Wikipedia:
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 and consumption is also significant facet of the local diet and agricultural tradition.
Just north of these
floating gardens is another temple, Nga Phe Kyaung Monastery.
We had seen
so much and really were an eye opener. The sun hung low near the horizon and
the sky grew pinky and orangey. It was time to go back to the jetty.
Watching
the sunset on the lake was truly memorable. Even the birds were hoping for the
last feed from tourists.
This tour was awesome and so special. It was really an eye opener and enriching. I must acknowledge how bless I am to be in Singapore
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