This morning it was off to Saracraft, where the local crafts are being kept alive. There were demonstrations of beading, weaving and basket weaving, which were very intesting. Most of the students had a go at either the basket weaving or the beading. They had a great shop there too - very reasonably priced, especially for a tourist destination!
After a few hours here, it was back on the bus and off to the birds nest factory. This is a very interesting process, where the birdsnests are taken from caves or birds are kept in special 'rooms' where they make their nests and these nests are 'recovered'. The nests are then soaked, and the feathers are plucked out one by one by very patient ladies. It is such a laborious process! But the birdsnest is supposed to be very good for the lungs and immune system, so it is very popular.
Next it was off to lunch. Again, we went to a place for the locals. Everyone had something different - I had wonton soup, which was delicious. The drinks were amazing as well, freshly squeezed juices with crushed ice - so refreshing in the heat.
After lunch we went to a pottery factory, which was a little dissapointing as the pots are all from moulds and finished by hand (I had expected the pots to be hand made, but should have realised, given it is a factory...). The expertise of the artists carving the designs on the pots/vases etc was quite impressive though.
Back at the hotel, it was a quick trip to the laundry to pick up our nice clean clothes, then on a water taxi and quick walk to 'little India street'. Along the way there are little shops that sell all sorts of interesting spices, dried fish, dried fruits and other things by the gram. The smells were quite strong (especially the dried fish) but the spices were fantastic!
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