Inle Lake is the second largest freshwater lake located in the mountains of the Shan State in Myanmar. It’s the perfect place to get to know the daily Burmese countryside life. The people here (called Intha) live in simple houses of wood and woven bamboo on stilts around or on the lake. We spent some days up and down hill walking through mountains and along farmlands. Highlight of our trek: an overnight stay at a shan family in a small mountainvillage.
temples and stupas. Biking across a vast dusty plain is the max to admire this sacred Buddhist place. The ruins are spread over forty square miles of countryside. Breathtaking and a place to never forget!
Myanmar, this quiet, almost sleeping country is a relief after bustling India. Budhism is overall present and temples, pagodas and monks color the country brownish red and gold. The ruling military regime affects the daily life of people enormously. Time and evolution have stood still since 46 years. There is little information and communication from the outside world. Farmers work in their land with oxes and most basic tools. And traveling goes slow slow slow (e.g. a busdrive of 200 km takes 15 
hours). But despite the poverty and oppression by government people are humble, smiling and incredibly friendly. Nature is unspoilt and beautiful. And the monasteries and budhist monuments are amazing.
After 65 days on the road, I took vacation from my traveling. I needed some days off to digest this mindblasting, crazy country. And there is no better place to do so as at the 15th century Fort-Palace in Neemrana. I took yoga courses. Waauw! What a discovery. I'm completely won for this way of relaxing. And I also passed time reading, swimming, wandering around the small village and talking with locals. Balu and his family invited me at the birthday party of their daughter. It was fun.
Pushkar is a small village that transforms into a huge festival ground when the yearly camel fair is held. The event attracts many people from all over India to sell and buy horses, cows and camels. They lodge in huge tent camps around the town. It is not only about trade, there are also performances by music artists and acrobats, desert bride elections and camel dancing competitions. It's almost like an Indian version of Rock Werchter :-)
Jaisalmer is another magical place in India. This fortress in the desert close to the border with Pakistan is straight out of an Arabian fairy tale. The whole city is filled with exquisitely carved stone and wooden havelis (houses). I stayed in a small budget hostel located at the entrance gate. I enjoyed the fortress most before the tourist busses arrived in the morning and at evening when there were only locals left in the fortress. Thanks to mister Desert (an Afghani man with astonishing blue eyes) I discovered the beauty of the the desert on the back of my camel 'Lula'. 
Jodhpur, the second largest and sunniest city of Rajasthan is definitely one of my favourites. Because of the glorious Meherangarh fort that is overlooking the city and the popular and vivid old city. The countryside where life is slow and simple. Last but not least, liked this city as I met here very nice people: Gaju who made me feel at home, the crazy french girls Carole and Marie, the cool Spanish dudes Juan, Jose and David. Thanks for the great time and I hope to meet you again somewhere on this planet!
