Guest post by the photo-contest winner…
Lyf&Spice is proud to announce its photo contest winner, Hein. The contest held last month received beautiful photo-entries from its readers. Check out the award-winning photo here. As a reward, the winner was asked to write a guest post for Lyf&Spice and here it is.
Before we hop in, here’s a quick introduction:
Based in Myanmar (Burma), Hein is a travel writer/blogger who has explored over 30 countries. Being passionate about photography, he captures his love for nature and heritage through his lens. He shares the adventures of his beautiful homeland, Myanmar and other parts of the world. Not limiting himself to exploring well-known places, he has also taken trips to some off-beat paths to showcase the beauty of hidden treasures on earth.
I came across his blog Myanmar and Beyond through his exceptional photo-posts on Instagram. Make sure you follow his journey as he explores the world through his lens.
Over to him…
Calling Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) my home, I am proud to say that we have “hundreds of unique spots” across the country. Most of the travelers these days talk about Bagan, home to thousands of ancient temples, but I would like to tell you that “Inle lake” is a more exclusive site, the world’s one and only place to witness fishermen ‘intha’, the sons of Inle lake, rowing the boats with legs (yes, not with their hands). Not only the lake, but the surrounding mountains and ancient temples add extra value to your trip to Inle lake.
Thanks to #escapers17, the mini – Amazing Race for bloggers, photographers, influencers and writers from Asia and Australia, I finally made a trip to witness the beauty of the extraordinary Inle Lake. Being born and brought up in Myanmar, having lived there for more than 30 years and having traveled to over 30 nations, I never got a chance make a short trip to Inle lake. What a shame!
As there is no international flight operating to Heho Airport, the nearest one to Inle lake, we took Myanmar National Airlines (MNA) from Yangon, the commercial capital of Myanmar. Upon landing, we were transferred to Nyaung Shwe town by bus for a quiet stop at View Point Lodge & Fine Cuisines to showcase our talent by presenting Myanmar’s traditional pickled tea leaves salad (Lat Phet tote).
Then, we continued our journey on a longboat to Inle Lake. The boat ride is simply beautiful. Our first stop was the Jumping Cat Monastery, famed for its jumping cats (except that the cats no longer jump) and the ancient Buddhist statues. Shortly after that, we were transferred to the luxurious Novotel Inle Lake Myat Min where we spent a night.
After checking-in, I grabbed my DSLRs and took a boat ride with my friends over sunset. The sound of the longboats’ engines was the only noise I heard throughout the peaceful lake ride. After taking a ride for about 15 minutes, we started spotting Intha fishermen. Even though I have seen the pictures of intha many times now, experiencing them live, watching their movements and observing their fishing style with my own eyes…made me stop blinking. I just murmured “WOW” to my friends who were speechless too…
We grabbed our cameras and started taking some shots for record. After some wonderful photo shots, we decided to return to Novotel to rest, but the view of the setting sun lured us to watch it set. The view over the pier was simply stunning too.
Intha, the local fishermen are known for practicing a distinctive rowing style by standing at the stern on one leg and wrapping the other leg around the oar. That style gives the Intha a good view beyond the reeds.
The next morning, after a great sleep on the luxurious bed, and a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we were energized to continue our journey. Of course, a longboat was waiting for us to cruise to the local floating villages. The view along the way from the hotel to the villages was picture-perfect.
Our longboat passed through the small canals for some stops – silversmith, longboat and silk weaving workshops, but the final stop was the most interesting part. We stopped by the cheroots factory, where the local hand-rolled leaf cigarettes are produced, and some of them are with made with dried banana/pineapple, tamarind, honey and others for a different flavour.
A trip to Inle Lake isn’t complete without a visit to Shwe Indein. At this historical site, you can explore around 1,000 ruined temples from the 13th century. You will also be greeted by pure and simple Pa-O kids, the ethnic (locals) living in these regions.
After Shwe Indein, we headed straight to Heho Airport (MNA flight). Even though it was just a 2-day, 1-night trip to Inle Lake, my heart is now with them. I will surely go back there to explore more…
Thanks for that beautiful piece, Hein. We wish you all the best in your adventures.
Lyf&Spice fam, we hope you enjoyed reading his post as much as we enjoyed publishing it.
Check out our travel & food posts on Instagram.
Read – Travel – Enjoy
There’s so much to do in Asia. It’s a beautiful, natural abode. Do head this side sometime.
LikeLike
I want to visit this hidden gem too. Hope we both make it sometime soon. 🙂 Cheers!!
LikeLike
Pleasure! 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, you must plan a trip soon.
LikeLike
True. It sure does.
LikeLike
I agree. Those pictures are really heart warming.
LikeLike
Beautiful experience for those who headed to the lake, indeed! 🙂
LikeLike
Hein has written it so well, that I made up my mind to visit the lake too. It ranks high on my bucket-list as well. 🙂
LikeLike
That’s right. The area around Inle Lake has a lot of cultural significance.
LikeLike
Me too 🙂
LikeLike
Wow! I have serious wanderlust!! I really want to go to Myanmar
LikeLiked by 1 person
The post on Inle lake is truly amazing and very insightful. I liked knowing about Shwe Indein a bit more as it has a lot of history and culture attached to it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would love to travel to Myanmar one day, this is going on my travel list after reading your article 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such amazing and beautiful experience! Kudos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The photos are so captivating. I don’t know much about Myanmar but it’s one of the countries in my bucketlist that I would love to visit. I really want to explore Asia. I’ve only been frequenting Hongkong and Singapore a lot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Myanmar is one of the top destination on my list to travel and these pictures really look stunning. A very well written post
LikeLiked by 1 person
What lovely pictures!!! I’d definitely love a trip to the Inle Lake, especially if it’s away from the huge crowds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Myanmar is on our bucketlist. Such a beautiful country. The views of Inle Lake are stunning. Well done to Hein! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow what a wonderful secret place! I have never been to myanmar but it looks like I must go soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mynamar looks so beautiful, we really want to come here, especially Inle Lake we’ve heard so much good things!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Incredible pictures! Lake Inle looks amazing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
These photos are amazing! The picture of Intha fishermen impressed me most. I would love to visit Inle lake one day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha.. why not? 🙂
LikeLike
It would be so amazing to be able to see and experience this culture and fantastic scenery. Please don’t tell anyone else, we want to see it like this LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sure does look so attractive and amazing.
LikeLike
Couldn’t agree more. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great! I have added it to mine too 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, it is laden with history and picturesque places to tour.
LikeLike
True, Hein’s photos really bring the fishermen to life.
LikeLike
True. It looks so beautiful and is so well written by Hein.
LikeLike
Myanmar really looks beautiful. Glad to have Hein on board.
LikeLike
True. There is so much to connect with, at different levels, when you travel. Love the way the guest blogger, Hein, has portrayed all of it in a single post.
LikeLike
Completely agree!! Unique post and perfect moments captured.
LikeLike
Haha.. serious skills it takes! 😉
LikeLike
Me too 🙂
LikeLike
Same here. I fell in love with the pic and write-up by Hein 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It ranks high on my list too. Hope to visit soon.
LikeLike
wow this looks so dope, myanmar has been on the list for a long time now and the culture looks incredible!!! beautiful pictures and a great article to read. Enjoyable and informative 🙂 keep up the great work guys 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
These photos are absolutely stunning! Myanmar just climbed up a few notches on my list 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would really love eto travel to Myanmar one day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The way they row the boat is so special! I can’t even balance on one foot when I’m on the ground. I wonder how they do that on the lake :O
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing photo of a truly stunning moment. I love this series of guest posts by fantastic photographers! I look forward to seeing more. This is not only a great photo but a really interesting style of fishing! Love cultural exploration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sailing in Inle lake and watching those traditional fisherman with unique styled of fishing catching stuff and golden sunset is worthy. Also going to a place which is as ancient as from 13th century with 100 ruins of temples must gave you so pure and pious feeling. It is good to know that you are connected with locals so much that your heart is still there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These photos are fantastic! Congrats on winning the contest! Myanmar looks like a beautiful place to visit and I’m now craving tamarind!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great article. Myanmar looks beautiful and rich in history. Beautiful sunset photos 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
These pictures are gorgeous! What a photogenic area. But the photos really bring the beauty to life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful shots! I’ve never heard of these fisherman and I think it would be a wonderful thing to behold! Myanmar is so full of history and would be an amazing place to visit, for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Myanmar seems like a lovely place to visit, gonna add this to my bucket list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always great to read about how a local appreciates his or her own country. The lake pictures are spectacular. The fishermen also look so graceful, as though they’re dancing rather than fishing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lake Inle looks amazing. I would love to see the fishermen and take some of these awesome pictures as well. Not sure if I would want to stay longer, much longer… Myanmar is a country that speaks to my imagination and I hope to visit it some time soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person