Battambang

Just getting back to my final posts... only about a month after arriving home! I know, terrible, right?? Its amazing how quickly you have to fall back into life when you get back. Not to mention, three airports without wifi - what the heck is that! I was floored, but I suppose it offered me some well deserved rest time!

Another bus... yes, on this trip, I have taken Trains, Plains and Automobiles! What an adventure! This was only a 4ish hour drive to Battambang,,, on the way a pit stop at the Angkor Silk Farm, and a walk through the entire process of making silk! From the plants the silk worm feeds on, straight through to finishing and selling.

Silk worms...

Then they cocoon, the outer husk of the cocoon considered rough silk, and the inner, fine silk.

The husks soaking, then three small strands picked up by the line and spun together into thread.

After separating the fine and rough threads, they are dyed with natural elements.

Then giant looms weave the silk threads into beautiful fabric.

We stopped for lunch at Pteu Teuk Dong, a not-for-profit that strives to improve the quality of life and restore the dignity of street families by preparing and assisting them to reintegrate back into the community. They act as a training centre for street families and abused women by preparing them and assisting them to go back into society. Their community development program provided(up until recent budget cuts) up to 20 families each year with clothing, food, education, medication and shelter.  After 12 months training each family is given a plot of land, a small wooden house, and some money and supplies to start their new lives. They have a restaurant where groups visit for lunch, a store where hand crafts from residents and past residents are sold and we were able to visit one of the student class rooms, and learn about the language and what they are learning in class. 

This same place also has a fair sized garden so people can learn to live off the land, and a full set up for growing mushroms... below...

We arrived at Battambang, popped out for a coffee, then headed straight to the Bamboo train. This was super cool! The government is in the midst of upgrading the tracks, so this likely won't be available in future years.  The train consists of 2 axles, a motor with a belt to one axle and a bamboo frame and floor. Wide open otherwise! What a hoot! We were goofin our way down the tracks taking a million silly pics and laughing our hearts out! If two trains encounter each other on the track, the one with the least amount of passengers must unload, and remove the train from the tracks, so that the other can pass, then reassemble on the other side. 

We visited a small town where the trains were turned around to head back to the main station, and there were some shops and a ton of kids there to greet us.  Here's one wee cutie!

On the way  back to the station, we stopped at a bridge to take some fun pics at sunset!

After the Bamboo train, we headed to the Green Gecko for some delish dindin! This is another not for profit founded to benefit the likes of street children, providing security, education, love and opportunity. Children are trained in hospitality and food services so they can go out into the world and succeed.