It’s my first day in Inle Lake preserved area and this looks like such a calm place!! There are also not a lot of tourists so I love it. I rent a bike in the hostel I’m staying and I spend the day exploring the area on my own.
I totally loved it!!! I found myself cycling the whole day totally alone. Just a few motorbikes were crossing me on this journey. I visited the monstery that stays immediately before entering the protected area- Shwe Yan Pyay.
There isn’t a lot to do in the village so I decided to cycle to Inle Lake. That’s a long distance, but I’m willing to do it. The pain in my butt for cycling for so long was nothing compared to the feeling of total freedom while going across those relaxing paths. I cycled 1h and 30 min to reach Inle Lake, and then the same time to go back but my main feeling wasn’t of exhaustion.
I had no idea where it is possible to reach the lake when I decide to go on my bike. I just see the road next to the lake on google maps and I follow it. Once I see that there is a path on the direction of the lake, I will follow and try to see if it’s possible to access the lake through that way. I had no idea that it would take me all that cycling to reach a viewpoint, but no regrets. I only see 3 tourists cycling in the opposite way, so I’m not so sure that my goal of seeing the lake will be accomplished. Still, I was enjoying this ride a lot.
After trying 2 different paths on my right to see if they have a connection to the lake and after cycling more that one hour, I was already thinking that I will not cycle for much longer even if I don’t find a way to the lake. I still have to cycle all the way back and I will not do it in the dark as there are no lights on those streets.
Finally, I reach a spot with a lot of Burmese guys seating and having a conversation when they start shouting Inle, Inle and point to the way. I thank them so much for it, as I had no idea that way was leading to it.
Finally, I reach the lake. It’s not very late, but as I have all the way back to do, I don’t stay there for so long and also I don’t ride a boat. I just stayed there, seeing how the Burmese peoples’ life is and watching the boats going and coming. This is such a beautiful place!!! You can see the surrounding mountains and all the ambiance feels so relaxing… I would stay there forever just sitting and watching. It is such a photogenic place. I bet that was a good place to see the sunset but I can’t stay for it… Unfortunately.
This was just a snick peak of Inle Lake. The next day I will do the boat tour and really get to see it fully. Anyway, I loved riding a bike along that street. Even if I hadn’t seen the lake, I would have enjoyed this day a lot.
I start realizing that I love riding a bike in this country and the feeling of freedom while doing it.
