Floating villages on Inle Lake

After safely landing with our small propeller plane, we took a taxi to the small town of Nyaung Shwe. We had a super cute little hotel and the people were incredibly friendly. Overall, life here in the countryside is so much more relaxed and laid-back than in the city. We strolled through the streets, the cozy market, and enjoyed the extremely affordable but good restaurants.

One day, we took a trip to Inle Lake. We simply booked a small longboat just for the two of us on the street for the next day. The private day trip only cost us €9 for two people =) We met our driver at the harbor at 8 am and went out on the lake by boat. The boat ride alone was worth the money. First, we visited the floating villages. Numerous wooden houses on stilts stood in the middle of the lake and the whole life simply took place on the water. Here, you don't have a car, you have a boat =)

We have already seen a floating market in Vietnam, but a whole village on the water was even more impressive. There was even a kindergarten!! We visited several small family businesses, such as a fabric factory, a silversmith, a tobacco dealer, etc. Of course, all on the water. We visited a local market and even had our lunch in a restaurant on the water. Considering that the lake was not initially on our itinerary, we are grateful for this tip from Pam and Brian.

Considering that one of my conditions was to only book good tour providers, the value for money was insane. And once again, I was convinced that I had thought too poorly of this country and that these small tours can be so much more beautiful. Especially because you know that the money goes directly to the family and not to a greedy tourist company.

We enjoyed the time very much and even decided to make another stop in another small town.