This morning we were up early to make our way to the Paper and Parasol/Umbrella making shop. The shop was full of old women that were wielding sharp knives cutting strips of bamboo to make slats and pieces of the umbrella. Then there was another woman that was catching all the beaten tree bark that had been smashed and softened and soaked in water. They then put the thin layer of paper pulp onto a screen and let dry and then peel off and they use as the paper for the parasols. It was an interesting process and something fun to learn about since I haven’t seen how they make this kind of paper before.
We then loaded up and headed to the mountains for our Zip Line Tour. We went on I think it was 17 ziplines and down vertical drops and across small foot bridges suspended high above the canopy and between tree houses and platforms. There were a couple drops that were so fast and the guy taking us thought it would be hilarious to bounce and swing us around while flying across the literal jungle. Probably didn’t feel like the safest operation, but we had a good time, despite our temperamental zipline guide and the girl that got totally freaked out by the longest and fastest zipline and started crying hysterically ;/
We were able to see Gibbons in the forest which was really cool. They are small apes with crazy long arms and no tails. They were blonde and black. They were so fun to watch swinging and climbing around the trees.
We had a terrific organic lunch at the zipline place by the stream. It is really a town that puts on the whole operation and the food was exceptional. Following lunch we made our way back into town and visited a silk shop and silver shop. We learned about how they make silk and saw the silk worms and the cacoons they make after eating for weeks Tapioca and Mulberry leaves. The worms cocoons are covered in yellow or white threads and before the moth/butterfly hatches from the cocoon they heat the cocoons and then can pull the fine thread that wraps around the cocoon and thread it through a machine that gathers it and makes it into a twin almost. The thread is a bit rough at first and then once they wash and dye it it becomes fine and soft. They had huge looms there where women were weaving the silk into cloth and so interesting to see how much goes into the process of making 1,2,3,4 ply silk. 1 is thin and soft and used for blouses. Suits are make from 4 or 5 ply silk0 5 threads making one string.
We also made our way a few shops down where they make silver pieces. We learned a little about his process but the display wasn't as good as the silk and the honesty the silver felt like it was over priced.
After we got back, Sam was ready for some chill time but Kendall and I hopped on bikes from the hotel and went exploring around the neighborhood. We were looking for more artists to hopefully find someone that could paint a certain parrot for Sam. As we went exploring we didn't find any paintings but we did find some great clothing and handicraft and antique shops. One was just a dream with all handmade fabrics and clothes and reasonably priced and set inside a garden. Everything about the shop was so artistic, just loved it and bought a couple of items a dress and skirt both made locally and just love! Kendall and I poked our heads into lots of shops and it felt so fun to be riding around streets and on back streets around sunset.
For dinner we headed back to the Night Market and Sam was looking for an artist to paint the parrot he wanted and also wanted another fish spa! He is hooked :) After walking for a while he found a foot spa and it since I wasn't up for doing it again and Kendall was game to do with Sam, which they did the fish spa I had a fantastic foot massage in the street while they fed their feet to the fishes!
We finally decided on one artist to paint the bird for Sam. The one more contemporary artist we really liked said he didn't have the time or I believe the patience to paint the bird so we went with more of a realistic painter. It will be fun to see what it looks like when we get home in a couple months.
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