The afternoon today was spent visiting a small village where silk fabric is woven. We were whisked away by our chariots – another tuk tuk ride!

As we were waiting to disembark, a few local children entertained us. They were collecting snails, as well as a few other activities!

At the entry to Silk Island, there is a pond with a massive fish. It came from the Amazon and grew hungry and nasty during the pandemic. It was recommended that we not put our arms in the water as it would snap it off! The guide fed the fish, and it momentarily surfaced to grab the food. I was convinced – it was so quick; I couldn’t get a picture of it.

On we walked to a display of the various stages of the life cycle of a silkworm. Those bad boys mate for 11 hours! Busy little critters, aren’t they? It takes 20 to 30 cocoons to produce enough thread for one fiber. The life cycle is 45 days.

The inner and outer part of the cocoon produce two types of silk. White is raw silk (inferior); yellow is fine silk. We were able to feel the two types. The raw silk was very rough; the fine silk was soft.

On to the most impressive part of the tour – watching women weave the thread into silk fabric. The women that work here earn a whopping $70 per month and are provided with a hut to live in. They work all day, every day, except for the two days off they get per month. Many are widows; maybe this is preferable to being a nun? Widows here have few options.

I know you will be shocked to learn that there was an opportunity to purchase at the end of the tour! Prices ranged from $25 on up.