Trace A Silk Route To Koh Dach The Silk Island Of Cambodia

Phnom Penh is one of Asias relatively undiscovered gems; one of the many Asian cities

caught between the splendour of its past and the reality of modern urbanization. Modern development is still in its awkward and uncertain youth in the city, but the dignity of the royal palace, the unhindered wilderness creating a lush green vista around the banks of the To L and Mekong Rivers and the unspoiled fishing villages lining their shores these all exude a unique charm that the recent horrors and devastation of wars cannot disperse.

One of the best ways to enjoy this unique meld of nature and rural Cambodian culture is by charting a boat or catching a ferry ride along the Mekong River. The cares and cankers polluting modern living fade further away with every ripple of the meandering waters and soon one become absorbed in a passing montage of shrimp farms, stilted homesteads and villages full of people who appear to have stepped out of the pages of some unhurried time in history.

Koh Dach is an island village of some special note from among the collection of quaint settlements along the River. This strip of land in the Mekong spans a mere 30 square kilometres, which is found an hours boat journey up river from Phnom Penh, is known far and wide as the Silk Weaving Island. Silk spinning and dying are the chief industries of its people, thousands of beaver-busy silk weavers churning out unfathomable yards of fabric whose decadent softness has won them a reputation that almost extends into the global sphere.

At first glance, the settlement presents the typical stilted homesteads and identifiers of any other village. However, a closer look yields the a land loom under almost every house, with some people using wheels of bicycle parts to spin the fine threads of silk while still others dye the fabric in rainbow hues. While many silk-weaving houses can be seen on the way, the teeming industry and dedication of these workers make Koh Dach a truly unique spectacle to behold.

The islanders are far from being one-trick ponies theyre also skilled a myriad of other assorted handicraft such as pottery, woodcarving, jewellery cutting, painting and osier craftwork, making it one of the best places to shop of souvenirs. Silks can also be bought freely here, without the intervention of the middle-man, but not much of a discount can be expected as the mainland vendors rarely keep a very high profit margin from the silks.

The island itself is a small slice of tropical paradise complete with white sand-strewn beach up north that is an idyllic sunbathing and swimming spot during the dry season.

Visitors seeking a luxury hotel Cambodia that affords an excellent vantage point from which to embark on similar village tours should look to Raffles Hotel Le Royal. This five star hotel Cambodia is also one of the hidden gems of Phnom Penh; an international-standard Cambodia hotel ideal for the discerning traveller.

by: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

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