A Relaxed Afternoon

Our first afternoon in Inle Lake was pretty chill.  First, we went canoeing, but it's not what you picture (and no, Don, I didn't tip it over!).

Each boat had its own person to steer and provide most of the power.  We sat on the floor -- there are no benches or seats.  Carol did the old Girl Scout criss-cross applesauce style sit, while I did the manspread sit on the floor of our canoe.

We criss-crossed through the floating gardens, past the homes on stilts above the waterways.  Until you get out to the main part of the lake, it's like a series of little canals.  The homes are surrounded by water, so you don't go anywhere without getting in your boat.  Most of the boats have crank motors with long propellers attached, while others are solely people powered, sort of like a Bernie Sanders campaign, but far less sanctimonious and far less annoying.

Going past the floating gardens (mostly tomatoes, but also beans and some other vegetables) was neat.  A tomato fell into ours, so I threw it at Pierre, missing worse that Matt Ryan in the 4th quarter of a game when the Falcons should have run the ball. #bitter  Of course, you try throwing a small tomato from your backside from a boat and trying to hit someone in a boat.

Later, I came within two inches of nailing Rich -- his canoe guide laughed heartily at my hijinks.  The tomato landed right behind him and bounced out of the canoe.  Two inches further to the left, and victory would have been mine!  At least our canoe guides were amused.

After that, some of us went for a bike ride -- Michelle showed her daily workouts paid off, whilst I had problems figuring out the gearing on the bike.  Did have a nice time riding and chatting with Rich, who is an accomplished cyclist -- he was being kind and riding with me.  However, shortly after figuring out the gearing finally, I started up a long (not steep) hill, and my shifter immediately derailed the chain the back.  Rich dropped me faster than John dropped Ringo.  Still it was a good ride.

Meanwhile, Carol hung out at the infinity pool.  We then had a massage, during which we heard a woman scream from another part of the spa.  Thank goodness we did not have that masseuse!

For dinner, we were taken to another hotel, and then rowed over (we didn't do the rowing) to a nearby island for a private dinner.  The food was great, and the wine was very good.  The best news?  No moths!  It was nearly a nice night for the group -- a multiple course meal at a beautiful setting!