Red Mountain Estate Winery

What a way to spend our last day, pretty much my favourite way to spend any day, in vineyards. I really think there is nothing more beautiful, they are usually on or around mountains, they are peaceful and calming and most importantly they produce wine! This winery was no exception, we cycled up (okay and walked our bikes a bit) and were treated to amazing views and delicious wine.

I just loved it here. We had tried to go when we first arrived and it was closed for the holidays. This is possibly a good thing as I would have come every day and done nothing else. If you go to Inle Lake it is an absolute must.

The Actual Lake

We have not had the best luck with weather so far. One day it poured all day, so we rested, relaxed and ate. And yesterday morning was no better, but we decided we could not come here and actually not see the lake so rented a boat anyways. Well it was pretty wet and we cancelled it half way through, as by the end all I could see were our umbrellas.

 So we returned to have lunch and then of course the sun came out! This time we decided to hop in our bikes and cycle around the lake. We then stopped at a floating village and hired a local lady with her canoe to show us around. It was amazing, well worth the second attempt at the lake and she was far more informative than our first, triple the price guide.

The village was properly amazing. The people, like all here, so friendly and above all so interesting to learn about another way of life. We did miss some things on the lake, like the fisherman and the floating village but guess that just gives us a reason to return!

Here is hoping for a final all sunny day for our final day.

Inle Lake

esterday afternoon we made it to our next destination, Inle Lake. Much like Bagan it is a popular tourist destination, in fact I do not think we have met anyone who was not going to both places. From the moment we left the airport you could feel how different the two places are (this is also literal as it is about ten degrees cooler here!). We drove the hour to the town through crowds celebrating the New Year, rice fields and small villages. Once we arrived we quickly rented bikes and were on our way. Cycling is just the best way to see things and today was no exception. We got soaked by the celebrators, road through a small village, got denied access to a winery and just enjoyed our day.

In the evening we went to the night market for some food and drinks. Amazingly we met a couple from Quito and spent the rest of the night with them. I even spoke loads of Spanish, well done me.

Bye Bye Bagan

We spent our last day on an e-bike exploring some of the bigger temples. We have definitely loved this place and really could spend weeks here but we are excited for our next stop in this beautiful country.

I would highly recommend Bagan as a place to visit. I would say get push bikes and enjoy cycling through all the temples. We got places that scooters could not go and it was just magical to cycle through them. I would insist even if you are a huge meat eater that the first restaurant you eat at is The Moon. It is the most amazing veggie restaurant, full every day and we went three times (would have been four but last night it was closed). Take a cooking course, the food is so easy to amor and super tasty plus you learn a lot more about life here. Stay away from the local rum there is a reason that a big bottle costs the same as a can of beer (trust me!). And most of all relax and enjoy this amazing place!

Happy Buddhist New Year

Yesterday, the Buddhist New Year festivities began and will continue for the next three days. It is known as the water festival and it is amazing. There is no chance of staying dry, the minute you enter the street, you get drenched. It has been great to watch and be a part of, everyone is just so happy, dancing and celebrating.

 You do have to worry a little about accidents, I know in Thailand there is a couple hundred deaths a year on the road blamed on this festival.  I think there is much less cars on the road here, well know this, but I was a little nervous the whole time!

May's Myanmar Cooking

Yesterday evening after a full day cycling around we took a Myanmar cooking class. It was in one of the villages, at our instructors home. I am really not a cook, but really enjoyed it. The curry is so easy to make and was so delicious. We made an aubergine curry, pumpkin curry and several salads. The base of the curry was so easy, everything just really consists of garlic, onion, ginger and peanut oil. I cannot wait to try them at home.

It was a great way to chat to the locals and learn a bit about how they live and in  particular cook.