One More Adventure Day for 2015

Today was the last day of our visit with Elder and Sister Roberts, which happens to be the last day of the year. We have had more grand adventures in the past week than usually happen in weeks or months. We picked up Elder and Sister Roberts from their hotel at 7:20 this morning, then we met Sister Leavitt at the mission office where we waited for a Tuk Tuk ride to the river for a boat ride to Silk Island. We were offered soft drinks, water, or cold fresh coconut. We tried the coconut! This trip was a little different than our Senior Retreat on Halloween. We were on a smaller boat where we were joined by three other passengers.

The silk farm we visited today was different than before, but we thought it was more informative. At the island we took another Tuk Tuk ride around the island, where we learned of the life cycle of a silk worm and a detailed description of creating silk from the cocoons. It takes about 3 days for a weaver to create enough fabric for a scarf. The more complicated patterns take longer, and it takes more like 2 weeks to create enough to make a skirt. The patterns are set in the loom by a different person or crew, which set-up process takes about 30 days. We selected two pieces of silk to purchase. We understand Cambodian Silk is some of the best.

Walking around the grounds of the silk farm was relaxing and interesting. It seems they are trying to create a resort, complete with huts and a "swimming pool" down in the river. Our walk back to the Tuk Tuks took us across a bamboo bridge. That was kind of fun! Our tour guide gave each of us a bag of candy and treats to share with the village children. There was no school today because of the New Years holiday, but the children came out of their huts as we rode through the village. One of the Tuk Tuks even went and gathered a few children to receive the treats.

The return boat ride they served cold drinks again, along with a variety of Khmer sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, and a platter of cut fruits. This is a nice way to spend a morning in Phnom Penh.

We learned that Elder Roberts enjoys fly fishing, and last night he was meeting President Eng, who happens to be the General manager for Fly Works. It was arranged for us to stop in to Rainy's Fly Works this afternoon on our way to take the Roberts to the airport. It was clear that Silk Island was a visit for Sister Roberts, and Fly Works was a perfect visit for Elder Roberts. He explained as much of how the flies worked as Eng.

After all our adventures this week, we were so-o-o-o ready to go home and have a quiet evening at home. We will just have to celebrate the new year by going to sleep early.