Inle Lake at 116 sq km (44.9 sq miles) is shallow; long; crystal clear and calm. Here the Intha people live; hemmed in on both sides by tall hills. The Intha men are famous for rowing standing up; using one leg; whilst fishing with tall; conical traps for Inle carp and the other; smaller fish with which the lake swarms.

The Intha women; champion market gardeners; use the fertile soil around the lake; as well as floating islands made of water hyacinths and mud; to grow cauliflower; tomatoes; cucumbers; cabbages; beans and aubergines. Inle is a simple place; but a place of plenty - both restful and sublime. Pictures From Asia David Henley