Wednesday 16 November NYAUNGSHWE to West of Inle Lake

Before breakfast I see a line of novice monks with their bowls walking into town to collect food which is given to them by the villagers. We head off at 7:30 on the road going North and after a short while stop at Shue Yaunhwe monastery. It's a traditional monastery made of teak. We cover our shoulders and knees ("temple dress"), and go inside. A bell sounds at at 8 o'clock the young novices come out and sit on the polished teak floor for prayer before the golden Buddha. Our route then takes us along a busy road with poinsettias and mimosa through scruffy villages. We then turn off and ride along a scenic road with giant bamboos, more mimosa, yellow linseed, bamboo plants, paddy fields and sugar canes, flanked by the Shan hills. We see water buffalo with egrets sitting on top of them. After lunch we visit the Shane Inthein stupa complex, over a thousand stupas, some derelict brick ones others bright gold glinting in the sun. Women are not allowed near the Buddha in the temple! I have to wait to take a picture to show Clare whilst a worshipper applies gold leaf to the statue, which is customary. It's  now the middle of the afternoon and we make our way noisily and smokily back in the long tailed boats through the canals and then lake Inle to our base. Another amazing day!