One of Myanmar’s most serene and picturesque spots is Inle Lake. This Shan State attraction lives up to the hype: a huge freshwater lake populated by leg-rowing fishermen, and surrounded by a ring of lush green mountains.

Boat trips are the most popular activity for tourists that visit Inle Lake, but you can also take short canoe trips on the many scenic canals in the Nyaungshwe vicinity. You won’t find many vehicles in these communities; everyone has their own canoe!

Boat and canoe trips are great, but I also like to walk around town or rent a bicycle and explore the area on two wheels. I’m always passing farmers, farm animals, and friendly children. There is one dirt lane, just past the monastery on Phaungdawpyan Road, where kids will run up and give you freshly picked flowers (or in some cases, weeds). This has happened to me both times I’ve walked down this road, a full year apart. This neighborhood wins my award for “Most Friendliest.”

There is a road that runs south of town, taking you all the way to the village of Maing Thauk, where the orphanage is located. I didn’t pedal that far (I visited the orphanage a day earlier during my tour of the lake), but I did venture several kilometers down the road, passing fields, factories, and farms. I also stopped at what I presumed was a school (although the kids weren’t dressed in the standard uniforms) and was greeted by a bunch of curious kids.