Interesting....Took the opp to go to another school this week as my school was closed for Poetry Day to honour the Thai Will Shakespeare.. Went to Casey and Rachels school - 2400 pupil secondary school in Trang Town... Different kettle of fish altogether - much as I love the Sikao school, its kids and teachers it is somewhat rundown, poorly equipped and dirty. The Trang school is clean, well equipped and vibrant. I initially went there to observe but was soon whisked off by an English teacher to a class and told 'the lesson is yours' - went through the basics about me, my family and what a great place England is..:) Seemed to go well - the teachers wants me back so I've negotiated 2 days here and 2 days at Sikao. 6 weeks in it would seem sensible to see another school. what confuses me is the fact that the new shiny school is government funded and the Sikao school is parent funded. Sikao parents are fishermen and rubber plantation workers and are quite poor surely the gov should help them more. The Trang parents are townies with professional jobs generally who could flash the cash for their kids. Not had a satisfactory answer to this one yet??Went into town last night with a few people for some cold ones. Came out of the bar to find everyone had gone to bed - no taxis, tuk tuks.. Ended up blagging a lift with the local plod in the back of their truck - 6 of us ....I'm on a beach in Kho Pha Nang now having just arrived by night ferry which was awesome. take a big old wooden boat put in an upstairs , lay down loads of mattresses and provide a pillow like a brick, nail a fan to the support beams and there u have it, your bed for the night... Everyone just lays down next to each other and chills... With the warm sea breeze coming in the window and the gentle chug of the engine and the half moonlight - well.....Ko Pha Nang on the face of it seems to be full of drug crazed (and this was 0600 am) Brits.... Something to look forward to - will let u know how the 'full moon party' goes in the next installment..
right. its 2200 and we're having a cocktail on the beach waiting for our speedboat to take us to the FMP.......... in we get 26 people on a boat whose capacity is 17 .... nasty journey, petrol fumes, bumpy, too crowded- felt like shit....
basically you hug the coastline of Kho Pha Nang for about 40 minutes when suddenly you round a headland it and hits you. the pulsating throb of the FMP resonates out from the beach which at this point is still a mile away...... visually you see a mass of bright and flashing lights stretching about 1km along the beach... due to our overloaded boat we had to wait around before going in as the Feds were on patrol....
finally got there - an amazing place..... 1000's of people seemingly all with a smile on their face partying in countless bars to a mix of Techno, Pop and Rock tunes..... i spent most of my time in Cactus Bar dancing and drinking Vodka buckets.... because its so hot and youre sweating like crazy the booze seems to move through your system without you getting hammered.....
came out of there about 0500am - my friend Chrissie from Kansas snagged herself a matey from Aylesbury in England and i left her to content myself with a hot dog.... met the others and spent the next hour trying to find the return boat..... you wander into the shallows checking out all speed boats on view...... ours was called "luvly jubbly" - yeah really.....eventually found it i slept all the way back as the sun was rising....
had to sleep in a friends room as adam my room mate who had the key got lost with a bunch of Austrians.......
A great night with a great atmosphere and completely unthreatening even though everyone was out of it...
had a phone call from mum Sunday lunchtime - very upset, my Dad is very ill. i need to go back to England ASAP.
Sunday 1 July 2007
Sunday 24 June 2007
Anothie....
ko mook: http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip518.jpg
thai fishermen: http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip516.jpg
flippin 'eck...... another island paradise.... Barry one of the other volunteers negotiated this deal for 20 of us to go to Kho Mook.....3 nights in a beach side bungalow, all transportation, booze, food, boat trips, internet - 100 smackeroonies.....
the bungalows are literally at the end of a peninsula that is no more than 100 yds wide with golden sand and clear blue sea...
took an amazing and frightening experience to a hidden beach that involved donning a lifejacket , jumping from a boat into choppy Andaman Sea waters and swimming into a cave. at one point you are swimming in pitch darkness bar the guides torch that looked like it had been bought at Robert Dyass for a quid.. shit for brains here managed to forget to attach the lifejacket straps between his legs so the frickin' (new word from yank friends) thing kept trying to ride up over my head...... there was a point in the darkness with this happening that i thought i was in trouble - there were 8 of us doing this and i was last because of the strap handicap and i was losing sight of the others when suddenly i rounded a corner and spied daylight. That was most welcome!
we arrived on small beautifully formed beach with much relief.....it turns out after speaking to the others that we all had our scary moments. the beach was totally surrounded by limestone cliffs - amazing.
the journey out was easier with the lifejacket on properly.
also did a snorkelling trip and saw some stunning fish.......... we played charades on the beach last night (cha raids if you are american).....funniest thing ever up there with the chiltern chase meetings...... just about to leave to go home.... work tomorrow.... i was just getting into this place..... :(
thai fishermen: http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip516.jpg
flippin 'eck...... another island paradise.... Barry one of the other volunteers negotiated this deal for 20 of us to go to Kho Mook.....3 nights in a beach side bungalow, all transportation, booze, food, boat trips, internet - 100 smackeroonies.....
the bungalows are literally at the end of a peninsula that is no more than 100 yds wide with golden sand and clear blue sea...
took an amazing and frightening experience to a hidden beach that involved donning a lifejacket , jumping from a boat into choppy Andaman Sea waters and swimming into a cave. at one point you are swimming in pitch darkness bar the guides torch that looked like it had been bought at Robert Dyass for a quid.. shit for brains here managed to forget to attach the lifejacket straps between his legs so the frickin' (new word from yank friends) thing kept trying to ride up over my head...... there was a point in the darkness with this happening that i thought i was in trouble - there were 8 of us doing this and i was last because of the strap handicap and i was losing sight of the others when suddenly i rounded a corner and spied daylight. That was most welcome!
we arrived on small beautifully formed beach with much relief.....it turns out after speaking to the others that we all had our scary moments. the beach was totally surrounded by limestone cliffs - amazing.
the journey out was easier with the lifejacket on properly.
also did a snorkelling trip and saw some stunning fish.......... we played charades on the beach last night (cha raids if you are american).....funniest thing ever up there with the chiltern chase meetings...... just about to leave to go home.... work tomorrow.... i was just getting into this place..... :(
Tuesday 19 June 2007
up a gear...
stand by your beds: http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip481.jpg
the young pretenders: http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip463.jpg
just when i'm settling in to teaching 12 - 18 year olds fairly basic English and grammar the stakes are upped. the Director of the school asked me to accompanyh her to a teacher training day in Kantang a town 20 miles away.l... all of a sudden im into Phonetics, Dipthongs, intonation, word stressing all sorts of mullarkey that apparently is crucial to the way we speak?
so here i am microphone in hand explainng to 40 teachers in my best English what a Dipthong is and which syllables in words are stressed... what fun! "sanouk"....... especially when i took my shoes off!
its really great all this teaching business - if only i had a chance to prepare. you're basically thrown in and winging it.........
the young pretenders: http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip463.jpg
just when i'm settling in to teaching 12 - 18 year olds fairly basic English and grammar the stakes are upped. the Director of the school asked me to accompanyh her to a teacher training day in Kantang a town 20 miles away.l... all of a sudden im into Phonetics, Dipthongs, intonation, word stressing all sorts of mullarkey that apparently is crucial to the way we speak?
so here i am microphone in hand explainng to 40 teachers in my best English what a Dipthong is and which syllables in words are stressed... what fun! "sanouk"....... especially when i took my shoes off!
its really great all this teaching business - if only i had a chance to prepare. you're basically thrown in and winging it.........
Monday 18 June 2007
the monsoon cometh.........
phi phi: http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip444.jpg
"fire show": http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip457.jpg
set off to Phi Phi for the weekend on my own.. took a bus and stayed in Kra bi in the evening. found a cool bar "hard rock bar" and met 2 thai people who said they could take me and friends to some off the beaten track islands on a longtail boat........ sounded genuine people. might take them up on it later... on the ferry next am and hit Phi Phi at 1000am - spent the whole day in the sun - probably over did it..
saw 2 fire shows on the Sat night. the professionals at Hippies Bar (choregraphed throwing and juggling of lit sticks and ropes). loud music - pretty impressive stuff and then my favourites the "Young Pretenders" at Carpe Diem. younger lads who make mistakes but the lack of polish i prefer.
returned home from Phi Phi on Sunday via the roughest ferry crossing i have ever had (there was a storm and the boat listed badly), bus journey and motorcyle ride..
another teaching surprise on Monday - went to my normal school and taught 2 lessons then Sawapao the Director asked me to join her at a college in Trang teaching Business English to 20 somethings.... now these were proper stoods................. long hair, dyed hair, earrings, short skirts and that was just the boys)..
again, very attentive and polite - they did Powerpoint presentations on hotels in Trang and classmates asked questions - i corrected grammar and helped with pronunciation (yes me!)
just getting to know the 19 new people in the house now - they seem nice and a good mix....
rained properly today - and is forecast all week - still hot though..http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip444.jpg
"fire show": http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip457.jpg
set off to Phi Phi for the weekend on my own.. took a bus and stayed in Kra bi in the evening. found a cool bar "hard rock bar" and met 2 thai people who said they could take me and friends to some off the beaten track islands on a longtail boat........ sounded genuine people. might take them up on it later... on the ferry next am and hit Phi Phi at 1000am - spent the whole day in the sun - probably over did it..
saw 2 fire shows on the Sat night. the professionals at Hippies Bar (choregraphed throwing and juggling of lit sticks and ropes). loud music - pretty impressive stuff and then my favourites the "Young Pretenders" at Carpe Diem. younger lads who make mistakes but the lack of polish i prefer.
returned home from Phi Phi on Sunday via the roughest ferry crossing i have ever had (there was a storm and the boat listed badly), bus journey and motorcyle ride..
another teaching surprise on Monday - went to my normal school and taught 2 lessons then Sawapao the Director asked me to join her at a college in Trang teaching Business English to 20 somethings.... now these were proper stoods................. long hair, dyed hair, earrings, short skirts and that was just the boys)..
again, very attentive and polite - they did Powerpoint presentations on hotels in Trang and classmates asked questions - i corrected grammar and helped with pronunciation (yes me!)
just getting to know the 19 new people in the house now - they seem nice and a good mix....
rained properly today - and is forecast all week - still hot though..http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip444.jpg
Friday 15 June 2007
wei crue..
yesterday in the Thai school calender was "Wei Crue" day. this is the day the children honour the teachers by making and giving gifts (garlands of flowers) and play traditional Thai music to them. it is all in line with their Buddhism faith that teaches children to be 1. most important - morally good 2. second most important - academic achievement and 3. happy. we were fortunate enough and honoured to be given teacher status and were an integral part of the celebrations. there were 1000 children involved. a great experience. from school took a bus to Kra bi to get a boat to Kho Phi Phi again tomorrow - want to visit Kho Lhay again with a camera this time! phi phi lost 2000 people in the Tsumani - no obvious evidence of the horror other than signs now saying "tsunami evacuation route"........such a beautiful place for something like that to happen.
Tuesday 12 June 2007
have family will travel..
in class today of the boys was asked to move to the front by the teacher before i started my spiel..... he nonchalantly refused to and showed a little insolence (nothing more than a slight grimace and a shrug). teach was having none of it, she had a cure. she clumped him with a cane (yes a real cane about 3 ft long)......... not to hard but enough to make him realise he needed to move to the front of the class...............it didnt seem undeserved and he wasnt hurt. if that happened in the UK ??!! While we're on the subject of Thai ways. it never ceases to amaze me (and im sure it will continue to do so for the 3 months i am here) their laissez-faire attitude to road safety. there are no rules basically.
for motorbikes: no helmets, 5 people on one bike, TVs, 3 generations of one family, exotic birds in cages, toddlers, gardening tools, babies. they're all carried without a second thought.
for cars / trucks: as many people crammed in or on as possible, cattle strapped to the back, pigs in cruel single pens. i saw a plastic conduit strapped to the back of a vehicle doing about 60 - the thing was swinging about like a coconut palm in an earthquake (ive heard they do a fair bit of swinging) very amusing but quite dangerous... every morning on the way to school (about 25 miles) i see something "road safety challenged"
went to a hot spring after school today - could have done with a cold shower to be fair but it was good. they pump 70 degree spring water into baths and you wallow in them..........very mineral rich and good for you apparently...........
pic 1 : where i live http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip393.jpg
pic 2: have family will travel http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip385.jpg
for motorbikes: no helmets, 5 people on one bike, TVs, 3 generations of one family, exotic birds in cages, toddlers, gardening tools, babies. they're all carried without a second thought.
for cars / trucks: as many people crammed in or on as possible, cattle strapped to the back, pigs in cruel single pens. i saw a plastic conduit strapped to the back of a vehicle doing about 60 - the thing was swinging about like a coconut palm in an earthquake (ive heard they do a fair bit of swinging) very amusing but quite dangerous... every morning on the way to school (about 25 miles) i see something "road safety challenged"
went to a hot spring after school today - could have done with a cold shower to be fair but it was good. they pump 70 degree spring water into baths and you wallow in them..........very mineral rich and good for you apparently...........
pic 1 : where i live http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip393.jpg
pic 2: have family will travel http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip385.jpg
Monday 11 June 2007
Welcome khun Barry
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip376-1.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip378.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip379.jpg
OK.
Teaching again today. please see 3 piccies attached to get you in the mood.
pic 1 : roughly translated means "welcome khun Barry, you're a great guy, we love you and thank you for being here" :)
pic 2: end of morning assembly
pic 3: my schools' name (its a longie..)
some tips below for teaching in Thailand (well this school anyway which i really like)
be confident even if you havent taught before. the reason i say this is because the kids will be pleased to see you and if you talk confidently in English to them they will listen
be patient with the admin side of things. you may find that you have no schedule or that it is changed at very short notice (today i taught in the morning and in the PM was meant to do some more according to the schedule only to find all the teachers were pre-occupied with a hospital visit) never got to the bottom of that?
be prepared to find it difficult to converse with some of the ENGLISH teachers in English as their grasp of the language isnt very good - having said that i think it may be a confidence thing. once they get to know you they open up more and the English speaking comes easier.
still.. planning lessons is awkward sometimes as they cannot tell you what they want you to do..
be prepared to "wing it" - it adds to the fun!
i brought with me questionnaires for the kids (off the web), music lyrics and the music on ipod - we blank out words of the song give them a copy and then play the song - they fill in the blanks - they love it.
bring a map of your country - its easy to talk about "home" and they're interested. sport and music as topics go down well........
bring anything relating to your home life 1. because you'll feel good talking about it and 2. they will be interested..
be prepared for celebrity status and be prepared to say good morning about 600 times a day as all the pupils want to talk to you...........
be prepared to be flippin' hot in most of the classrooms and take plenty of water with you. be prepared for having to almost shout in lessons when its raining as its very noisy.
be prepared for a bird to fly into the classroom to its nest behind the TV above the white board (all classrooms without A/C have one.
they will laugh at you sometimes dunno why, probably you're pronunciation of thai words, maybe someone has made a wisecrack about you, maybe because you're sweating profusely... anyways dont worry about it - they're very good natured...
be prepared to question your knowledge of the English language and its grammar (its funny how we communicate grammatically erroneously everyday probably but we dont realise (apart from Robin and Olly P maybe).
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip378.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip379.jpg
OK.
Teaching again today. please see 3 piccies attached to get you in the mood.
pic 1 : roughly translated means "welcome khun Barry, you're a great guy, we love you and thank you for being here" :)
pic 2: end of morning assembly
pic 3: my schools' name (its a longie..)
some tips below for teaching in Thailand (well this school anyway which i really like)
be confident even if you havent taught before. the reason i say this is because the kids will be pleased to see you and if you talk confidently in English to them they will listen
be patient with the admin side of things. you may find that you have no schedule or that it is changed at very short notice (today i taught in the morning and in the PM was meant to do some more according to the schedule only to find all the teachers were pre-occupied with a hospital visit) never got to the bottom of that?
be prepared to find it difficult to converse with some of the ENGLISH teachers in English as their grasp of the language isnt very good - having said that i think it may be a confidence thing. once they get to know you they open up more and the English speaking comes easier.
still.. planning lessons is awkward sometimes as they cannot tell you what they want you to do..
be prepared to "wing it" - it adds to the fun!
i brought with me questionnaires for the kids (off the web), music lyrics and the music on ipod - we blank out words of the song give them a copy and then play the song - they fill in the blanks - they love it.
bring a map of your country - its easy to talk about "home" and they're interested. sport and music as topics go down well........
bring anything relating to your home life 1. because you'll feel good talking about it and 2. they will be interested..
be prepared for celebrity status and be prepared to say good morning about 600 times a day as all the pupils want to talk to you...........
be prepared to be flippin' hot in most of the classrooms and take plenty of water with you. be prepared for having to almost shout in lessons when its raining as its very noisy.
be prepared for a bird to fly into the classroom to its nest behind the TV above the white board (all classrooms without A/C have one.
they will laugh at you sometimes dunno why, probably you're pronunciation of thai words, maybe someone has made a wisecrack about you, maybe because you're sweating profusely... anyways dont worry about it - they're very good natured...
be prepared to question your knowledge of the English language and its grammar (its funny how we communicate grammatically erroneously everyday probably but we dont realise (apart from Robin and Olly P maybe).
Friday 8 June 2007
feeling like a spare one..
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip370.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip372.jpg - nasty looking Mother isnt he?
not working today so took it easy... dropped off Aaron (my drinking buddy!) and Vicky from NZ at the airport... they are off home. came back then went to lunch with the Thai people who run the show here... khem, joopjang, ohb, joo and chaa... they are really nice, kind people (like most Thais it seems).
Had a 2 hour Thai massage this PM for 10 quid! hurts though they apply lots of pressure to the muscles as well as traditional techniques and flexibility stretches...
on my own in the house this weekend - decided not to go anywhere........ a family of 6 (3 generations) come here next week..........
spent the weekend contemplating my navel................ and watched "the wedding crashers" twice what a funny film... irish wedding scene - "hi, my name is seamus o'toole and this is my friend booby o'shea, we're here to get drunk!" v funny...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip372.jpg - nasty looking Mother isnt he?
not working today so took it easy... dropped off Aaron (my drinking buddy!) and Vicky from NZ at the airport... they are off home. came back then went to lunch with the Thai people who run the show here... khem, joopjang, ohb, joo and chaa... they are really nice, kind people (like most Thais it seems).
Had a 2 hour Thai massage this PM for 10 quid! hurts though they apply lots of pressure to the muscles as well as traditional techniques and flexibility stretches...
on my own in the house this weekend - decided not to go anywhere........ a family of 6 (3 generations) come here next week..........
spent the weekend contemplating my navel................ and watched "the wedding crashers" twice what a funny film... irish wedding scene - "hi, my name is seamus o'toole and this is my friend booby o'shea, we're here to get drunk!" v funny...
Thursday 7 June 2007
buddhism and cloth weaving..
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip370.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip351.jpg
spent the last 2 days in school well from 9 - 2.30 anyway.. lessons going really well. did the "Angels" routine today the kids in the class loved it as did kids from neighbouring classes who massed outside to see what was going on. yesterday PM visited a Thai cloth weaving place (we're talking cottage industry here). the women turn out beautifully coloured and patterned cloth on these seemingly antiquated foot and hand driven looms that on the face of it looks like it could go wrong at any second. its all in the timing apparently, a reel of cotton is fired backwards and forwards between umpteen strands of cloth by the pulling of a string. a millisecond out and it all goes pear shaped.
i bought a lurid green silk shirt from these people that I feel I may only wear in Thailand. had a lovely meal in a very nice thai restaurant.
in school today i was walking past a group of teenage girls when i heard "i missed you"............. so funny, these kids speak more English than you think sometimes...
this PM we were honoured to have the Head Monk of a large temple in Trang visit us and introduced us (via an interpretor) to Buddhism. a very serene looking 32 year old man who was happy to answer anny of our questions.
my gems were:
how old are you - 32
do you interact with other religions? - i read about all things in order to gain knowledge
who is your best friend? - none there is only me.
interesting stuff - showed us how to meditate - think i'll give it a shot my mind is so full of bullshit most of the time. if i could clear it out it would be marvellous
out for dinner again tonight - 2 more of the Volunteers are leaving, and 2 others are going with them to Phuket for the weekend. didnt fancy that so im not sure what im doing....
no work tomorrow so can relax............. working in the heat in strdies and shoes is draining..
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip351.jpg
spent the last 2 days in school well from 9 - 2.30 anyway.. lessons going really well. did the "Angels" routine today the kids in the class loved it as did kids from neighbouring classes who massed outside to see what was going on. yesterday PM visited a Thai cloth weaving place (we're talking cottage industry here). the women turn out beautifully coloured and patterned cloth on these seemingly antiquated foot and hand driven looms that on the face of it looks like it could go wrong at any second. its all in the timing apparently, a reel of cotton is fired backwards and forwards between umpteen strands of cloth by the pulling of a string. a millisecond out and it all goes pear shaped.
i bought a lurid green silk shirt from these people that I feel I may only wear in Thailand. had a lovely meal in a very nice thai restaurant.
in school today i was walking past a group of teenage girls when i heard "i missed you"............. so funny, these kids speak more English than you think sometimes...
this PM we were honoured to have the Head Monk of a large temple in Trang visit us and introduced us (via an interpretor) to Buddhism. a very serene looking 32 year old man who was happy to answer anny of our questions.
my gems were:
how old are you - 32
do you interact with other religions? - i read about all things in order to gain knowledge
who is your best friend? - none there is only me.
interesting stuff - showed us how to meditate - think i'll give it a shot my mind is so full of bullshit most of the time. if i could clear it out it would be marvellous
out for dinner again tonight - 2 more of the Volunteers are leaving, and 2 others are going with them to Phuket for the weekend. didnt fancy that so im not sure what im doing....
no work tomorrow so can relax............. working in the heat in strdies and shoes is draining..
Tuesday 5 June 2007
good day..
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip337.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip337.jpg
in school again today.. also Aaron the CCS videographer was there to film us working with the kids...
went really well.. introduced them to Angels by Robbie Williams , gave them the lyrics with words missing and asked them to fill in....... they loved it - so did the teachers, they were rocking in the aisles...
not sure what the video will look like though... they got us to sing Angels at the end of the shoot... anyone who knows me will laugh at this. in the evening went into Trang town this evening to do some "shopping" well i just went for a ride... bought a pair of sandally things - good 'uns fcr 3 quid... then found a cool Thai bar - sat outside with a Singha , watched the world go by and the Thai people socialising....they are nice people......
check the photo attached a family on a moped - brilliant..
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip337.jpg
in school again today.. also Aaron the CCS videographer was there to film us working with the kids...
went really well.. introduced them to Angels by Robbie Williams , gave them the lyrics with words missing and asked them to fill in....... they loved it - so did the teachers, they were rocking in the aisles...
not sure what the video will look like though... they got us to sing Angels at the end of the shoot... anyone who knows me will laugh at this. in the evening went into Trang town this evening to do some "shopping" well i just went for a ride... bought a pair of sandally things - good 'uns fcr 3 quid... then found a cool Thai bar - sat outside with a Singha , watched the world go by and the Thai people socialising....they are nice people......
check the photo attached a family on a moped - brilliant..
Monday 4 June 2007
teachie teachie.............
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip240.jpg
in school all day today. Taught 16 yr old and 18 yr old students. Gave a questionnaire to each of them in English and told them to fill it in. The standard of written English ranges from poor to very poor although one cannot fault their attitude and attentiveness. I was talking to Sawapao the school director and she says the problem is that the Thai English teachers give instruction in Thai about the English questions they are going to give. They do not learn this way.
The English teachers English is limited but we have a noticed a difference in their confidence about speaking since we have been here. This is a good thing. none of the English speaking teachers in this school have gained any of their English speaking qualifications in an English speaking country.
One lesson today was during a tropical rainstorm in a classroom with no A/C so all the windows were open wide, the noise was deafening and made talking to the students very difficult though never once was their concentration broken.
The feedback is very positive and since we have been there 4 more classes have requested to have us teach them. I must stress “teach” is a fairly grand description. We talk to them and help with their pronunciation. Basic stuff at the moment.
Gonna find the Thai Robbie Williams before I leave with the aid of my Ipod, speakers and song lyrics…
in school all day today. Taught 16 yr old and 18 yr old students. Gave a questionnaire to each of them in English and told them to fill it in. The standard of written English ranges from poor to very poor although one cannot fault their attitude and attentiveness. I was talking to Sawapao the school director and she says the problem is that the Thai English teachers give instruction in Thai about the English questions they are going to give. They do not learn this way.
The English teachers English is limited but we have a noticed a difference in their confidence about speaking since we have been here. This is a good thing. none of the English speaking teachers in this school have gained any of their English speaking qualifications in an English speaking country.
One lesson today was during a tropical rainstorm in a classroom with no A/C so all the windows were open wide, the noise was deafening and made talking to the students very difficult though never once was their concentration broken.
The feedback is very positive and since we have been there 4 more classes have requested to have us teach them. I must stress “teach” is a fairly grand description. We talk to them and help with their pronunciation. Basic stuff at the moment.
Gonna find the Thai Robbie Williams before I leave with the aid of my Ipod, speakers and song lyrics…
Sunday 3 June 2007
quiet one...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip319.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip310.jpg
while records are being broken in the UK (Chiltern Chase - 420 runners - well up on last year). the only record being broken here is one for doing the least in a day..
hangover city here - journey back from kho ngai a trial... sat around doing nothing really. Back to school tomorrow.
went for my run... 3 seconds slower than last time (remains of hangover didnt help)
now watching a movie - early night tonight......
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip310.jpg
while records are being broken in the UK (Chiltern Chase - 420 runners - well up on last year). the only record being broken here is one for doing the least in a day..
hangover city here - journey back from kho ngai a trial... sat around doing nothing really. Back to school tomorrow.
went for my run... 3 seconds slower than last time (remains of hangover didnt help)
now watching a movie - early night tonight......
dazed and confused and bitten....
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip292.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip303.jpg
ok – I’ve set myself a get fit training schedule. How long will this last? As often as I can I do a 2 ½ mile run (max possible for me in this heat and humidity) and time myself. Did first one this morning – phew. Had to remove a Horned Toad from my training shoe first.
Its interesting. 0700am and the streets are vibrant and full of people. What’s interesting is that this is the morning after the biggest day in their calendar. No alcohol, no hangovers – very productive. Strangely no dogs yapping at my heels though, they were either eaten as part of the festivities or it’s the one day in the year that they are allowed to drink.
Off to Kho Ngai (hai) island today for the weekend, although nearly didn’t make it as we had “James Hunt” taking us to the ferry. This bloke was a liability, his driving was worse than mine, overtaking 3 abreast, accelerating into corners, cutting corners on the wrong side of the road. I kept making over exaggerated stares at the speedo (I was in the front) to try to get a “slow down!” message across. All to no avail. We got to the speedboat in double quick time. Uneventful 40 min crossing to Kho Ngai….
The island has a couple of small resorts but no shops… there was hardly anyone on the island, deserted sandy beaches but the sound of builders building new apartments interfered with the peaceful idyll.
Found a deck chair under a tree by the waters edge and chilled only to be bitten rotten by a host of pesky red ants – little bastards, if its not ants its mossies…. I am just so darned tasty.
In the evening tried to get a drink in the hotels “blue lagoon bar” (comfy chairs right next to the beach) only to find a private function was being held in there. Seemed like a large Thai family reunion. Then things got interesting, they started Karaoking. It seems that the tradition is for every member of the family to have a go. Some of the singing was at best atrocious. If you weren’t looking you could have been forgiven for thinking that a Tom Cat was sliding down a razor blade using its balls as brakes. It did make us chuckle. Then they played an instrumental of “O come all ye faithful” and they’re Buddhists? Very strange. Very friendly people though invited us to join them but we politely declined. I could just see myself doing an impression of the Old Tom.
We wandered up the beach and found a really nice bar that was totally deserted. Had a cold one and a Mai Tai sock blower then home to bed.
My drinking buddy Aaron arrived in the morning (he’s making a video of our Programme). Great bloke. Born in the USA but NOT a Bushite. Drinks for his country.
Fantastic tropical storm this morning over the sea. Took a trek to the other side of the island through dense tropical rainforest followed by coconut plantations…. Didn’t hang about as I didn’t know what was lurking in the undergrowth to bite me. “If we can bite we’ll bite Barry” is the insect worlds mantra it seems.
The other side of the island was even more deserted with a few tin shack houses and a golden beach….
Returned to the hotel safely. In the evening we had a couple in the hotel then back to the beach bar – we all got hammered…. Felt rough this morning for the first time in a while… ended up playing “never have I ever” some US drinking game…. I tried to introduce an English drinking game or 2 but by then we were too gone…
PHOTOS ONLINE NOW IF YOU CHECK BACK THROUGH POSTS.....
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip303.jpg
ok – I’ve set myself a get fit training schedule. How long will this last? As often as I can I do a 2 ½ mile run (max possible for me in this heat and humidity) and time myself. Did first one this morning – phew. Had to remove a Horned Toad from my training shoe first.
Its interesting. 0700am and the streets are vibrant and full of people. What’s interesting is that this is the morning after the biggest day in their calendar. No alcohol, no hangovers – very productive. Strangely no dogs yapping at my heels though, they were either eaten as part of the festivities or it’s the one day in the year that they are allowed to drink.
Off to Kho Ngai (hai) island today for the weekend, although nearly didn’t make it as we had “James Hunt” taking us to the ferry. This bloke was a liability, his driving was worse than mine, overtaking 3 abreast, accelerating into corners, cutting corners on the wrong side of the road. I kept making over exaggerated stares at the speedo (I was in the front) to try to get a “slow down!” message across. All to no avail. We got to the speedboat in double quick time. Uneventful 40 min crossing to Kho Ngai….
The island has a couple of small resorts but no shops… there was hardly anyone on the island, deserted sandy beaches but the sound of builders building new apartments interfered with the peaceful idyll.
Found a deck chair under a tree by the waters edge and chilled only to be bitten rotten by a host of pesky red ants – little bastards, if its not ants its mossies…. I am just so darned tasty.
In the evening tried to get a drink in the hotels “blue lagoon bar” (comfy chairs right next to the beach) only to find a private function was being held in there. Seemed like a large Thai family reunion. Then things got interesting, they started Karaoking. It seems that the tradition is for every member of the family to have a go. Some of the singing was at best atrocious. If you weren’t looking you could have been forgiven for thinking that a Tom Cat was sliding down a razor blade using its balls as brakes. It did make us chuckle. Then they played an instrumental of “O come all ye faithful” and they’re Buddhists? Very strange. Very friendly people though invited us to join them but we politely declined. I could just see myself doing an impression of the Old Tom.
We wandered up the beach and found a really nice bar that was totally deserted. Had a cold one and a Mai Tai sock blower then home to bed.
My drinking buddy Aaron arrived in the morning (he’s making a video of our Programme). Great bloke. Born in the USA but NOT a Bushite. Drinks for his country.
Fantastic tropical storm this morning over the sea. Took a trek to the other side of the island through dense tropical rainforest followed by coconut plantations…. Didn’t hang about as I didn’t know what was lurking in the undergrowth to bite me. “If we can bite we’ll bite Barry” is the insect worlds mantra it seems.
The other side of the island was even more deserted with a few tin shack houses and a golden beach….
Returned to the hotel safely. In the evening we had a couple in the hotel then back to the beach bar – we all got hammered…. Felt rough this morning for the first time in a while… ended up playing “never have I ever” some US drinking game…. I tried to introduce an English drinking game or 2 but by then we were too gone…
PHOTOS ONLINE NOW IF YOU CHECK BACK THROUGH POSTS.....
Thursday 31 May 2007
"Weesaka Bulshar"
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip209-1.jpgtoday is a national holiday in Thailand for “Weesaka Bulshar” (this is probably a terrible transliteration but that’s what it sounded like.) the most important day in the Buddhist year. The day when Buddha was born, found enlightenment and died) its based on the lunar calendar and the full moon did us proud shining brightly over the temple we attended.
Because Buddhism is the religion of over 90% of the Thai population there were shed loads of people about. The highlight is where everyone including us following the Monks in a walk 3 times around the temple carrying a candle and a flower (symbolising the good Buddha has brought into the world). I found this very gratifying and noone (even though we were the only Farang among thousands) made us feel unwelcome. We saw the Mayor again (Charlie Gulaim) he insisted on more photos with us.
After the ceremony we went to a tea shop for iced tea (no alcohol on this day much to Aaron and my chagrine) but hey - when in Rome……..
Earlier in the day we went to the beach again although the sea nearest us a little murky and the beaches nothing on Kho Phi Phi….
Still we’ve booked a long weekend on Kho Ngai (hai) island where the beaches are top notch apparently.
Because Buddhism is the religion of over 90% of the Thai population there were shed loads of people about. The highlight is where everyone including us following the Monks in a walk 3 times around the temple carrying a candle and a flower (symbolising the good Buddha has brought into the world). I found this very gratifying and noone (even though we were the only Farang among thousands) made us feel unwelcome. We saw the Mayor again (Charlie Gulaim) he insisted on more photos with us.
After the ceremony we went to a tea shop for iced tea (no alcohol on this day much to Aaron and my chagrine) but hey - when in Rome……..
Earlier in the day we went to the beach again although the sea nearest us a little murky and the beaches nothing on Kho Phi Phi….
Still we’ve booked a long weekend on Kho Ngai (hai) island where the beaches are top notch apparently.
thai boxing...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip182.jpgdid a couple of lessons at school yesterday. this time lesson 1 was in smaller groups of about 6 people helping with English conversation.... subject soon gets around to music and sport...........they seem to be familiar with premiership teams and top players but dont seem to have a handle on music at all - there big stars are tata young and a band called endorphin.
lessons finished at 1100am then Sawapao our "guide" and Director of the school took us to Pak Meng beach about 10 mins away where we sat in 37 degree heat under palm trees eating spicy fish balls and a sweet coconut dish wrapped in palm leaves.....noone around...very quiet here - no tourists.
after that returned home and had a group chat with Khem our CCS manager where we could talk about our placements and how they were going. 2 of the girls innocently gave some money to their pre-school to buy a new fan (v poorly equipped place) and were poilitely told not to do it again. we (and i understand) shouldnt give gifts as the Thai people will come to expect it and that is not good for anyone.
in the evening we visited a Thai boxing training centre (nothing more than an open tin shack on the side of the road amongst rubber trees BUT boy could those lads fight!) very aggressive kicking and punching and kneeing to the chest with great speed, outside the ring they were happy to act as waiters passing around drinks and generally being very friendly. cool dudes.
there were olders guys who had been there, seen it and done it teaching the young bucks the art - very interesting, they were fit as fleas and very passionate with very little equipment. one of the lads was a national champion and he showed us his belt etc. some of us had a go (not me). emma the only other english person managed to kick the instructor in the testicles - very funny, although not for him.
then went for a meal at a nice restaurant in Trang - I had spicy chicken noodles - all the American contingent had pizza. i would have had fish and chips but they didnt do it.
lessons finished at 1100am then Sawapao our "guide" and Director of the school took us to Pak Meng beach about 10 mins away where we sat in 37 degree heat under palm trees eating spicy fish balls and a sweet coconut dish wrapped in palm leaves.....noone around...very quiet here - no tourists.
after that returned home and had a group chat with Khem our CCS manager where we could talk about our placements and how they were going. 2 of the girls innocently gave some money to their pre-school to buy a new fan (v poorly equipped place) and were poilitely told not to do it again. we (and i understand) shouldnt give gifts as the Thai people will come to expect it and that is not good for anyone.
in the evening we visited a Thai boxing training centre (nothing more than an open tin shack on the side of the road amongst rubber trees BUT boy could those lads fight!) very aggressive kicking and punching and kneeing to the chest with great speed, outside the ring they were happy to act as waiters passing around drinks and generally being very friendly. cool dudes.
there were olders guys who had been there, seen it and done it teaching the young bucks the art - very interesting, they were fit as fleas and very passionate with very little equipment. one of the lads was a national champion and he showed us his belt etc. some of us had a go (not me). emma the only other english person managed to kick the instructor in the testicles - very funny, although not for him.
then went for a meal at a nice restaurant in Trang - I had spicy chicken noodles - all the American contingent had pizza. i would have had fish and chips but they didnt do it.
Tuesday 29 May 2007
heat exhaustion...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip280.jpg4 more lessons today….. on the way to school saw a pair of flip flops in the road, nearby was a huddle of people on the verge. I assume a moped accident. The riders around here are carefree and have no idea of road safety..
got to school and was offered sticky rice and some sweet substance. Ate it. First lesson I was on my own with a very nice English teacher who basically (as they all do) leave you to it. The first student who came into class came up to me and said “I am very happy you are teaching me and my friends today”… I think she meant it. That was nice.
After this lesson had another one with a less helpful teacher who said nothing and didn’t really look at me throughout the lesson – we did “adverbs of frequency” what??
Sometimes, seldom ,never, occasionally, usually, often, frequently, rarely and all that….. they need help with pronunciation..
After this returned to staffroom for further instruction only to find Sawapao and Shayla had gone off somewhere? Sat there for 90 mins wondering what my next move was – the heat stifling especially wearing trousers, shirt and my new booties…
At 1240 hunted down the teacher i had in the morning and she was pleased for me to take a double lesson for her this PM.
Enjoyed it immensely. Covered farangs in Thailand, why the students want to learn English and come to England, the weather, physical appearances, my photo album and more..
After school went to see some traditional Thai dancing (oldest in Thailand) bit like Morris Dancing but more glamorous and stylish.. very impressed although the band had the rhythm of pre-school kids.
Bar b q outside tonight – sneaked off to the shop with Aaron for a cold one.
Knackered now – this heat really slows you down – no wonder less gets done here.
.
got to school and was offered sticky rice and some sweet substance. Ate it. First lesson I was on my own with a very nice English teacher who basically (as they all do) leave you to it. The first student who came into class came up to me and said “I am very happy you are teaching me and my friends today”… I think she meant it. That was nice.
After this lesson had another one with a less helpful teacher who said nothing and didn’t really look at me throughout the lesson – we did “adverbs of frequency” what??
Sometimes, seldom ,never, occasionally, usually, often, frequently, rarely and all that….. they need help with pronunciation..
After this returned to staffroom for further instruction only to find Sawapao and Shayla had gone off somewhere? Sat there for 90 mins wondering what my next move was – the heat stifling especially wearing trousers, shirt and my new booties…
At 1240 hunted down the teacher i had in the morning and she was pleased for me to take a double lesson for her this PM.
Enjoyed it immensely. Covered farangs in Thailand, why the students want to learn English and come to England, the weather, physical appearances, my photo album and more..
After school went to see some traditional Thai dancing (oldest in Thailand) bit like Morris Dancing but more glamorous and stylish.. very impressed although the band had the rhythm of pre-school kids.
Bar b q outside tonight – sneaked off to the shop with Aaron for a cold one.
Knackered now – this heat really slows you down – no wonder less gets done here.
.
the kids are alright..
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip138-1.jpg
Ok,..
Big school day today. Was there all day – took 3 lessons with my friend Shayla…..
The children are so pleased to have a white person teaching them English. Also the teacher is genuinely very grateful as their pronunciation (and grasp) of the English language is limited…
We really do help them with pronunciation as the Thai language is so different from ours, there are certain sounds they find very difficult to say like “th” and “s” at the end of a word. Its really strange walking around the school (1000 pupils) and everyone wanting to say Hello to you.
So far I have not seen one incident of bad behaviour in any way. The kids have built in respect for their elders no matter how poor their backgrounds are and they always are in pristine uniform.
Very grounding.
After school we were had a go at traditional thai wax painting on cloth… my painting of a butterfly looked like an 8 yr olds work but was deemed to be abstract”………another word thai people find very hard to say.
A very rewardingday…….
Got home and decided with Aaron (our new videographer and a bloke!) to nail a couple of cold ones….Our “bar” was a shop with no tables and chairs (we found 2 plastic stools and were sorted. We joked that this was all a man needed to be at peace with the world.
Aaron is a decent bloke who went on a CCS programme a few years ago while at film school and did a video for them. They invited him back after graduation to work for them videoing the different sites in the world. Aaron has a plan to make it big in Hollywood. Save loads of money over the next few years while studying film scripts and them when the right one comes along throw the kitchen sink at it and hope for the best. This is what Quentin Tarantino did with Reservoir Dogs.. to be fair this kind of success will happen to someone again…
Laters
Ok,..
Big school day today. Was there all day – took 3 lessons with my friend Shayla…..
The children are so pleased to have a white person teaching them English. Also the teacher is genuinely very grateful as their pronunciation (and grasp) of the English language is limited…
We really do help them with pronunciation as the Thai language is so different from ours, there are certain sounds they find very difficult to say like “th” and “s” at the end of a word. Its really strange walking around the school (1000 pupils) and everyone wanting to say Hello to you.
So far I have not seen one incident of bad behaviour in any way. The kids have built in respect for their elders no matter how poor their backgrounds are and they always are in pristine uniform.
Very grounding.
After school we were had a go at traditional thai wax painting on cloth… my painting of a butterfly looked like an 8 yr olds work but was deemed to be abstract”………another word thai people find very hard to say.
A very rewardingday…….
Got home and decided with Aaron (our new videographer and a bloke!) to nail a couple of cold ones….Our “bar” was a shop with no tables and chairs (we found 2 plastic stools and were sorted. We joked that this was all a man needed to be at peace with the world.
Aaron is a decent bloke who went on a CCS programme a few years ago while at film school and did a video for them. They invited him back after graduation to work for them videoing the different sites in the world. Aaron has a plan to make it big in Hollywood. Save loads of money over the next few years while studying film scripts and them when the right one comes along throw the kitchen sink at it and hope for the best. This is what Quentin Tarantino did with Reservoir Dogs.. to be fair this kind of success will happen to someone again…
Laters
Monday 28 May 2007
Morris dancing - Thai style.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip147.jpg
ok..
full on day in the school .... 3 lessons - kids between 12 and 16. Classes between 30 and 40 students. really enjoyed it - having to wing it somewhat but start with the basics and repeat until you think of something new to say.....
teachers are great because we really are helping them if only on the pronunciation of words. the thai language is so different that (and we have the same problem in reverse) sounds like 'th', 's' at the end of words and the letter D at the end of a word is really difficult for theThai students.
it is so unusual to be in a position where everyone is looking at you and wanting to say Hello.
tomorrow the Head Teacher has asked for help with a speech she has to make in English to local dignitaries and Swedish delegates with regard to a joint Swedish/thai project.
Back to school.. it's a 1000 strong and i have not encountered any bad behaviour, ill discipline, attituded from any of the kids so far. they have respect built in - its admirable...
aaron the videographer from philadelphia arrived yesterday (a bloke! - we chewed the fat over a couple of cold ones this evening - a welcome change.....
the bar is a shop with no tables or chairs (until we managed to extract 2 plastic stools from the owners....) sitting on a busy road in trang in high humidity and half light we joked that this was all a man needed to feel satisfied
ok..
full on day in the school .... 3 lessons - kids between 12 and 16. Classes between 30 and 40 students. really enjoyed it - having to wing it somewhat but start with the basics and repeat until you think of something new to say.....
teachers are great because we really are helping them if only on the pronunciation of words. the thai language is so different that (and we have the same problem in reverse) sounds like 'th', 's' at the end of words and the letter D at the end of a word is really difficult for theThai students.
it is so unusual to be in a position where everyone is looking at you and wanting to say Hello.
tomorrow the Head Teacher has asked for help with a speech she has to make in English to local dignitaries and Swedish delegates with regard to a joint Swedish/thai project.
Back to school.. it's a 1000 strong and i have not encountered any bad behaviour, ill discipline, attituded from any of the kids so far. they have respect built in - its admirable...
aaron the videographer from philadelphia arrived yesterday (a bloke! - we chewed the fat over a couple of cold ones this evening - a welcome change.....
the bar is a shop with no tables or chairs (until we managed to extract 2 plastic stools from the owners....) sitting on a busy road in trang in high humidity and half light we joked that this was all a man needed to feel satisfied
Sunday 27 May 2007
Kho Pleasant Pleasant
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip175.jpgarrived on Kho Phi Phi. after 2 hr boat journey where I managed to get sunburnt on my side through lack of diligence when applying sun cream. staying in neat one bed bungalow with shower 50 yds from the beach.
on saturday we hired a longtail boat and went to Kho Lay (for those who know it's where the film "the beach" was shot - Leonardo DiCaprio and all that).
i have not seen anything as breathtaking as the Blue Lagoon that is in the centre of Kho Lay island. you enter through a narrow channel which opens out into a pool surrounded by those vertical cliffs i keep talking about. the water is crystal clear and teeming with an array of tropical fish of many different species each more vibrantly colourful and iridescent as the next. time to go snorkelling, well, the fish are your friends after all..... if you hold your hands out in front of you they mass around and take small nips at your hands.. no pain though...
as well as the fish the are stunning Coral reef outcrops all over the place. the water was about 12 feet deep, i tried diving down to the bottom but my ears started to hurt although not before a giant clam (2 feet across) closed tightly shut as i approached. this is a different world both over and under the ocean.
on the way back to Kho Phi Phi we stopped at a very small island inhabited by a colony of Rhesus Monkeys who get fed by Farang tourists. mean little buggers and totally ungrateful for the food they are given. alpha male jumped on to our boat freaking everyone out then promptly pissed on the deck before jumping back to the shore. the sad thing i spose is that if farang tourists stopped coming they would probably die out as the instinct to get their own food has probably died out..
watched the sun go down overlooking the Andaman Sea last evening - ive never been to a more beautiful place. the cicada symphony is deafening and the call of the Muezzin in the distance just adds to the ambience...
back to mainland today (sunday). work day tomorrow - im really looking forward to the stultifying classroom heat in my proper strides, proper shoes and proper shirt (not). hey ho...
i must say i do prefer my Fishermans pants - got 2 colours and am becoming quite attached to them.
ps
well done to Nicky and Sally for completing the first day of the Hill Fort and Waterways Challenge back in Dear Old Blightie
pps Pop kan mai khrap (see you later)
on saturday we hired a longtail boat and went to Kho Lay (for those who know it's where the film "the beach" was shot - Leonardo DiCaprio and all that).
i have not seen anything as breathtaking as the Blue Lagoon that is in the centre of Kho Lay island. you enter through a narrow channel which opens out into a pool surrounded by those vertical cliffs i keep talking about. the water is crystal clear and teeming with an array of tropical fish of many different species each more vibrantly colourful and iridescent as the next. time to go snorkelling, well, the fish are your friends after all..... if you hold your hands out in front of you they mass around and take small nips at your hands.. no pain though...
as well as the fish the are stunning Coral reef outcrops all over the place. the water was about 12 feet deep, i tried diving down to the bottom but my ears started to hurt although not before a giant clam (2 feet across) closed tightly shut as i approached. this is a different world both over and under the ocean.
on the way back to Kho Phi Phi we stopped at a very small island inhabited by a colony of Rhesus Monkeys who get fed by Farang tourists. mean little buggers and totally ungrateful for the food they are given. alpha male jumped on to our boat freaking everyone out then promptly pissed on the deck before jumping back to the shore. the sad thing i spose is that if farang tourists stopped coming they would probably die out as the instinct to get their own food has probably died out..
watched the sun go down overlooking the Andaman Sea last evening - ive never been to a more beautiful place. the cicada symphony is deafening and the call of the Muezzin in the distance just adds to the ambience...
back to mainland today (sunday). work day tomorrow - im really looking forward to the stultifying classroom heat in my proper strides, proper shoes and proper shirt (not). hey ho...
i must say i do prefer my Fishermans pants - got 2 colours and am becoming quite attached to them.
ps
well done to Nicky and Sally for completing the first day of the Hill Fort and Waterways Challenge back in Dear Old Blightie
pps Pop kan mai khrap (see you later)
Friday 25 May 2007
bitter sweet....
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip051.jpg
what to say?
yesterday had first day teaching (2 lessons). first one with MWS .. we had an intro from the teacher then it was off into it.... 30 kids all around 12.... fantastic! we winged it completely doing role plays of introductions etc then got the kids to do it...... they seemed to like us being there -big smiles and lots of laughter! when walking around the school everyone wants to say "goos morning" to you...... my aim is to get the kids saying gooD morning at least.
2nd lesson was a little more tricky and challenging but more rewarding. the teacher appeared to have little or no interest in this Farang - all she said was "children excited" and then sat at the back of the class letting me get on with it. on my own this time with 41 kids (15 years old). luckily had my photo album so split them into groups of 4 and gave them a photo each telling them to ask me questions.... went OK..... I ended up taking the photos back and writing a sentence or 2 about each one on the blackboard and making them say it.. biggest cheer was when they found out Ollie was 15 the same as them!
an amazing experience and only my first real day.
straight from school jumped on a bus to Krabi. this place. wow. good and bad. when approaching by road it seems you have left Earth as the awesome vertical limestone, vegetation covered cliffs spring into view everywhere - reminded me of the illustrations of a comic book i once read when i was young about 2 aliens and there life on some other world. i suppose the writer could have been inspired by visiting here? not so inspiring is the Westernised sea front - hate all that. say no more... old whiteys with young thai beauties. i dont get it.
had dinner overlooking the sea and more limestone outcrops rising vertically from it. it truly is beautiful scenery.
had a few beers tonight (3) for the first time in over a week - felt pissed and strangely remote from the world. got back and found out my dad was in hospital - not good. love to dad, love to mum, love to nicky, love to ollie, bryony and evie monkey...
took boat to kho phi phi this morning.... an island paradise that has a certain level of Farang invasion but not as bad as the mainland... laid on the beach in the sun thinking of home....
in internet cafe now. laters
what to say?
yesterday had first day teaching (2 lessons). first one with MWS .. we had an intro from the teacher then it was off into it.... 30 kids all around 12.... fantastic! we winged it completely doing role plays of introductions etc then got the kids to do it...... they seemed to like us being there -big smiles and lots of laughter! when walking around the school everyone wants to say "goos morning" to you...... my aim is to get the kids saying gooD morning at least.
2nd lesson was a little more tricky and challenging but more rewarding. the teacher appeared to have little or no interest in this Farang - all she said was "children excited" and then sat at the back of the class letting me get on with it. on my own this time with 41 kids (15 years old). luckily had my photo album so split them into groups of 4 and gave them a photo each telling them to ask me questions.... went OK..... I ended up taking the photos back and writing a sentence or 2 about each one on the blackboard and making them say it.. biggest cheer was when they found out Ollie was 15 the same as them!
an amazing experience and only my first real day.
straight from school jumped on a bus to Krabi. this place. wow. good and bad. when approaching by road it seems you have left Earth as the awesome vertical limestone, vegetation covered cliffs spring into view everywhere - reminded me of the illustrations of a comic book i once read when i was young about 2 aliens and there life on some other world. i suppose the writer could have been inspired by visiting here? not so inspiring is the Westernised sea front - hate all that. say no more... old whiteys with young thai beauties. i dont get it.
had dinner overlooking the sea and more limestone outcrops rising vertically from it. it truly is beautiful scenery.
had a few beers tonight (3) for the first time in over a week - felt pissed and strangely remote from the world. got back and found out my dad was in hospital - not good. love to dad, love to mum, love to nicky, love to ollie, bryony and evie monkey...
took boat to kho phi phi this morning.... an island paradise that has a certain level of Farang invasion but not as bad as the mainland... laid on the beach in the sun thinking of home....
in internet cafe now. laters
Wednesday 23 May 2007
Remember that Stranglers song..?
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip099.jpgWed 23rd may
Another very interesting day. Lots of good things interspersed with “Hanging around, just hanging around….. “
Started the day with a visit to the Mayors office…. a passionate, self made man who was in his 3rd term as Mayor. Cares deeply about his Municipality and wants to introduce tourism into Trang BUT differently from what has happened in Phuket etc. He wants investment into tourism from only local people (Farangs will not be allowed to build hotels or set up tourism businesses) and for them to continue charging the same for things as now. Not rip the tourists off..
Sounds like a plan to me… we’ll see.
Had lunch back at Home Base then went to Le Khao Kop a cave with a twist. Basically its an awesome series of limestone caverns with a river running through it. You take a boat through and periodically get off to explore the caves and wonder at the amazing stalactites and stalagmites. Will give the caves at Cheddar Gorge a run for their money any day. THEN the cave roof gets really low and you are told to lie flat on your back in the boat, bearing in mind this is a rowing boat with a draft of about 6 inches. I had my sunglasses on my chest and at one point the roof knocked them off… this is serious potential claustrophobia for those that way inclined…all taking place in darkness bar a torch held by one of the 2 boatman and for a distance of 400M. At one point we got stuck and I had to help push the boat along via the roof. I was glad to get out of there and it certainly set the heart racing and adrenalin pumping..
Khem and Ohb kept very quiet about this.. another case of “mai pen rai”…
Ate in the best restaurant in Trang that evening and came across this amazing citrus, lime dish with cashews and fish and vegetables that you wrap in a leaf.
We’re off to Kho Phi Phi after work tomorrow, staying in Krabi one night then ferry over to Kho Phi Phi on Friday AM. Stay Fri and Sat night. Should get lots of sun, sea and sand and hopefully beer. Noone here apart from Vicky my Kiwi friend drinks and there aren’t many bars……
Laters
Another very interesting day. Lots of good things interspersed with “Hanging around, just hanging around….. “
Started the day with a visit to the Mayors office…. a passionate, self made man who was in his 3rd term as Mayor. Cares deeply about his Municipality and wants to introduce tourism into Trang BUT differently from what has happened in Phuket etc. He wants investment into tourism from only local people (Farangs will not be allowed to build hotels or set up tourism businesses) and for them to continue charging the same for things as now. Not rip the tourists off..
Sounds like a plan to me… we’ll see.
Had lunch back at Home Base then went to Le Khao Kop a cave with a twist. Basically its an awesome series of limestone caverns with a river running through it. You take a boat through and periodically get off to explore the caves and wonder at the amazing stalactites and stalagmites. Will give the caves at Cheddar Gorge a run for their money any day. THEN the cave roof gets really low and you are told to lie flat on your back in the boat, bearing in mind this is a rowing boat with a draft of about 6 inches. I had my sunglasses on my chest and at one point the roof knocked them off… this is serious potential claustrophobia for those that way inclined…all taking place in darkness bar a torch held by one of the 2 boatman and for a distance of 400M. At one point we got stuck and I had to help push the boat along via the roof. I was glad to get out of there and it certainly set the heart racing and adrenalin pumping..
Khem and Ohb kept very quiet about this.. another case of “mai pen rai”…
Ate in the best restaurant in Trang that evening and came across this amazing citrus, lime dish with cashews and fish and vegetables that you wrap in a leaf.
We’re off to Kho Phi Phi after work tomorrow, staying in Krabi one night then ferry over to Kho Phi Phi on Friday AM. Stay Fri and Sat night. Should get lots of sun, sea and sand and hopefully beer. Noone here apart from Vicky my Kiwi friend drinks and there aren’t many bars……
Laters
Tuesday 22 May 2007
a day of firsts and a la's...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip178.jpgTues May 22nd
Got up. Feeling a little twitchy. Put on my new strides, new yellow shirt (colour of the King) and new boots and panties for my first day at Sikaoprachadaogungvit secondary school (the first test is spelling the name). Turned out I was fretting over nothing (although I haven’t taught yet).
Was shown around (with Mid West Shayla) by Sowapao a Director of the school. We met all the teachers and introduced ourselves and where we were from in Thai. I also introduced myself to a couple of classrooms in Thai (30+ pupils).
The kids are so respectful and genuinely pleased to see you. They laugh at your Thai pronunciation. This is good as if I can get a laugh its all the encouragement I need. To be fair the teaching will be more difficult but the people and the environment are conducive to getting the best out of you. We’ll see.
Had lunch with the Head and a couple of teachers. The male teacher next to me had his hand on my leg for most of the meal. I found it a little disconcerting but decided it was probably a Thai cultural thing. Although I must say he was sporting a moo-stash a la Freddie Mercury!
After lunch I sat in a cold A/C’ed room waiting for Sowapao to return from dropping Shayla off ½ a K down the road. This took an hour. Thais are severely flawed in the sense of urgency stakes a la Tim Fenn (getting a few a la’s in today). Anyway “mai pen rai” as they say here, always good to keep a “jai yen”
Had the best and most painful massage ever Thai style this PM, then went for the hottest and sweatiest (in the humidity) run ever. An afternoon of firsts.
Now going to sit and watch a movie with the girls (its like Bryony and her mates coming round with Ben and Jerrys and duvets everywhere. Plumped for Spiderman 3 purchased from a local market for a quid…. Quality OK – I lasted about ½ hour and decided doing this was more fun.
Meeting the Mayor of Trang tomorrow (he heard I was in town) then school in the afternoon. And finally just removed the biggest ever Cricket from the house.
Got up. Feeling a little twitchy. Put on my new strides, new yellow shirt (colour of the King) and new boots and panties for my first day at Sikaoprachadaogungvit secondary school (the first test is spelling the name). Turned out I was fretting over nothing (although I haven’t taught yet).
Was shown around (with Mid West Shayla) by Sowapao a Director of the school. We met all the teachers and introduced ourselves and where we were from in Thai. I also introduced myself to a couple of classrooms in Thai (30+ pupils).
The kids are so respectful and genuinely pleased to see you. They laugh at your Thai pronunciation. This is good as if I can get a laugh its all the encouragement I need. To be fair the teaching will be more difficult but the people and the environment are conducive to getting the best out of you. We’ll see.
Had lunch with the Head and a couple of teachers. The male teacher next to me had his hand on my leg for most of the meal. I found it a little disconcerting but decided it was probably a Thai cultural thing. Although I must say he was sporting a moo-stash a la Freddie Mercury!
After lunch I sat in a cold A/C’ed room waiting for Sowapao to return from dropping Shayla off ½ a K down the road. This took an hour. Thais are severely flawed in the sense of urgency stakes a la Tim Fenn (getting a few a la’s in today). Anyway “mai pen rai” as they say here, always good to keep a “jai yen”
Had the best and most painful massage ever Thai style this PM, then went for the hottest and sweatiest (in the humidity) run ever. An afternoon of firsts.
Now going to sit and watch a movie with the girls (its like Bryony and her mates coming round with Ben and Jerrys and duvets everywhere. Plumped for Spiderman 3 purchased from a local market for a quid…. Quality OK – I lasted about ½ hour and decided doing this was more fun.
Meeting the Mayor of Trang tomorrow (he heard I was in town) then school in the afternoon. And finally just removed the biggest ever Cricket from the house.
Monday 21 May 2007
culture shock..........
totally awesome day (starting to sound like the preppies now.)
visited one of the volunteer placements today a school for the disabled run by the Thai government. kids are either autistic, downes, deaf, blind or physically disabled, we met some of them. totally sweet, happy, friendly kids......it moved me.
we then visited a Buddhist temple and had the pleasure of being blessed by a monk.... on to the local library to find out more of the history of trang. its a pretty interesting place where many cultures and religions seem to be able to co-exist happily together.
in the afternoon we drove to the coast taking in on the way some Thai Moslem men crafting knives for latex harvesting.
we then hopped aboard a longboat and went along the coast a short way to a deserted beach covered in golden, soft (im mean really, really soft) sand backed by breathtaking vegetation covered limestone cliffs rising 300+ ft.... went swimming in warm (i mean really, really warm) water with soft, soft sand (have i said that?).... paradise or as near as damn it - all it needed was a few cold ones and sky sports and bobs your uncle.
on the way back we raced with the other longboat (bit like wacky races it was) before stopping off at a mangrove swamp to plant (well throw shoots into the mud like darts) new trees as part of government initiative (not for tourists benefit but there's probably money there) to help stop the erosion of the shoreline.
ate at the restaurant on the beach. im not a king prawn fan but these babies cooked up with a spicy lime sauce were sound as a pound... also had chicken with cashews, soup and spicy thai mushrooms. magic.
long but very rewarding day. tomorrow is first day at placement im nervous.
laters.
visited one of the volunteer placements today a school for the disabled run by the Thai government. kids are either autistic, downes, deaf, blind or physically disabled, we met some of them. totally sweet, happy, friendly kids......it moved me.
we then visited a Buddhist temple and had the pleasure of being blessed by a monk.... on to the local library to find out more of the history of trang. its a pretty interesting place where many cultures and religions seem to be able to co-exist happily together.
in the afternoon we drove to the coast taking in on the way some Thai Moslem men crafting knives for latex harvesting.
we then hopped aboard a longboat and went along the coast a short way to a deserted beach covered in golden, soft (im mean really, really soft) sand backed by breathtaking vegetation covered limestone cliffs rising 300+ ft.... went swimming in warm (i mean really, really warm) water with soft, soft sand (have i said that?).... paradise or as near as damn it - all it needed was a few cold ones and sky sports and bobs your uncle.
on the way back we raced with the other longboat (bit like wacky races it was) before stopping off at a mangrove swamp to plant (well throw shoots into the mud like darts) new trees as part of government initiative (not for tourists benefit but there's probably money there) to help stop the erosion of the shoreline.
ate at the restaurant on the beach. im not a king prawn fan but these babies cooked up with a spicy lime sauce were sound as a pound... also had chicken with cashews, soup and spicy thai mushrooms. magic.
long but very rewarding day. tomorrow is first day at placement im nervous.
laters.
Sunday 20 May 2007
feeling hot hot hot....
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t281/beejay44/trangtrip007.jpg
finally i get the internet to work!
well here i am - what a place.............. flight to bangkok the best ever (so good i even watched and concentrated on casino royale, never done that on a plane before.......). Taxi at airport took me to wrong hotel first of all.......... met shayla from nebraska a medical student who'd lost her luggage in chicago! went for a beer , live music was a man doing a rendition of "we gotta get outa this place" so we did - terrible. saw an elephant in the street. slept badly that night before getting up early to catch flight to trang on a plane with a beak on it?! good flight again... met all the CCS staff at the airport and then went to Home Base.... nice place, a room to myself and good air con. met other voulnteers al female! mostly from US apart from 2.......
went into town and bought some "fishermens pants" which are cool and really cool ..they are the only things to where in this weather 32 degree and high humidity.. went to night market -interesting array of food but a bit smelly.
had a thai lesson today - this is worrying me as i will need to speak a little thai in the schools..
am nervous about the placement as i want to be useful and i dont how to be...guess i need to be patient.. something im really good at (as anyone who knows me will testify)..
at the moment there is a lot of sitting around and not much doing - i am finding this a challenge.....
thai people are not task oriented (like me) they prefer to take things more slowly ...... apparently in order of importance 1 eat 2 fun 3 work - sounds great and im all for this order but i also like to do things... im sure it will all come out in the wash and i can adjust................ after all i did want a challenge.. first day in school on tuesday..... wish me luck!
loads more to tell
Barry
chue thai -eak
(thai name - "only one")
finally i get the internet to work!
well here i am - what a place.............. flight to bangkok the best ever (so good i even watched and concentrated on casino royale, never done that on a plane before.......). Taxi at airport took me to wrong hotel first of all.......... met shayla from nebraska a medical student who'd lost her luggage in chicago! went for a beer , live music was a man doing a rendition of "we gotta get outa this place" so we did - terrible. saw an elephant in the street. slept badly that night before getting up early to catch flight to trang on a plane with a beak on it?! good flight again... met all the CCS staff at the airport and then went to Home Base.... nice place, a room to myself and good air con. met other voulnteers al female! mostly from US apart from 2.......
went into town and bought some "fishermens pants" which are cool and really cool ..they are the only things to where in this weather 32 degree and high humidity.. went to night market -interesting array of food but a bit smelly.
had a thai lesson today - this is worrying me as i will need to speak a little thai in the schools..
am nervous about the placement as i want to be useful and i dont how to be...guess i need to be patient.. something im really good at (as anyone who knows me will testify)..
at the moment there is a lot of sitting around and not much doing - i am finding this a challenge.....
thai people are not task oriented (like me) they prefer to take things more slowly ...... apparently in order of importance 1 eat 2 fun 3 work - sounds great and im all for this order but i also like to do things... im sure it will all come out in the wash and i can adjust................ after all i did want a challenge.. first day in school on tuesday..... wish me luck!
loads more to tell
Barry
chue thai -eak
(thai name - "only one")
Tuesday 1 May 2007
Wednesday 18 April 2007
Pre-trip
ok.. i guess its really happening now..... even though "ive paid my money and taken my choice" setting up this Blog kinda makes the impending trip real...
now this is here i need to populate it with interesting and witty recountings of my sabbatical..
we'll see.....
laters..
now this is here i need to populate it with interesting and witty recountings of my sabbatical..
we'll see.....
laters..
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