Nearly home time...

I really cannot believe I have three days left of teaching, three days back in Bangkok, and that this time next week I will be in England! This summer has been an experience I will remember for ever, and as corny as it sounds it has absolutely changed me as a person. I have fallen in love with this country since being here, and I am already making plans in my head to come back as soon as possible to travel.

However much I've loved the weekends travelling, I am so grateful that my first visit to Thailand was through the TET project as there is no way I would have seen as much of 'real Thailand' as I have otherwise. My tiny little village in the middle of nowhere that terrified me in week 1 has taught me so much about all things Thai, as well as opened my eyes to my own culture in comparison. As one of my last posts, here's a few pieces of advice I would give my past self who wrote the scaredy-cat first post on here nearly two months ago, or someone considering doing this project next year.

•  be prepared to try food you would never have dreamt of putting in your mouth before. It will 99% of the time taste amazing.
• Remember shaking hands with a man you've just met is very, very forward here.
• People don't say 'bless you' when you sneeze here. Therefore, they also don't have a clue what your on about when you say it to them.
• Embrace how cheap public transport is here, but be prepared for most forms of transport to be at least an hour later than scheduled. Particularly trains.
• Be wary of all things 'whitening'. It seems everyone wants what they don't have, so whilst us westerners spend days sizzling in the sun desperate for a tan, the whole of Thailand is desperate for white skin - wearing white powder on their face and having treatment which bleaches their skin lighter. Therefore, most beauty products you can buy here aim to whiten your skin - moisturizers, sun cream, I even came across whitening diodrant. So be careful what you buy!
• As well as being prepared to try all food, be prepared to share all food to. It's one of the many things I really love here, how communal meals are. Dishes are just plonked in the middle of the table where you help yourself to a bit of everything. It's the best, especially if you - like me - get really bad food envy and always wish you ordered what someone else had. I'm probably going to go home and start weirding people out by eating their food off their plates...
• The 'rock' signal in England (forefinger and pinky pointing up) means 'I love you' here. I didn't learn this until after 5 weeks of the students walking past me at school doing it to me! 
• Don't be frightened to use the 'wee-un'. I should probably explain this one...

Me and Vikki both found that when we asked how to get to a certain place for a weekend travelling, our mentors advised us to use either the bus or 'wee-un'. A bit confused by what this 'wee-un' was, for a long while we opted for the bus; we didn't want to risk a form of transport we hadn't heard of, especially knowing how crazy transport in Thailand can be.  It wasn't until, a few weeks later when it was written down for us, we realised what the 'wee-un' was - a mini van. Thai people struggle with the letter 'v' and so this was their pronounciation of 'van'. It was hilarious when we found out we'd both felt a bit weary of the infamous 'wee-un'! As well as 'v', Thai people struggle with 'th', 'ch' and putting an 's' on the end of any word. So be prepared for that, as well as prepared to teach them these sounds which is highly entertaining! 

• Travel as much as you possibly can. There is so much to see and do in this country, and even after 8 weeks of going somewhere different every weekend, I haven't seen a fraction of the amount I'd like to! Hence why I have to come back here. 
• Be aware and open to Buddhism. I am not Buddhist, and have in no way become Buddhist since being here, but I have always been fascinated by religion and it's been great to learn more about it. For example, I didn't know that women couldn't sit next to the monks - Becky learnt that the hard way on a train journey to Bangkok and caused uproar! 

Whilst on religion, also be prepared for their attitude towards death. Buddhists believe in re-birth and recognise the impermanence of life, and therefore naturally don't grieve as much as a non-religious person might. This is quite a shock to the system when they act so casually about death. But it isn't that they don't care - they just believe this life isn't the end.

• Don't be scared of the teaching. It's what I was most frightened of coming out here without a doubt, which seems silly now. The students are so grateful for anything you teach them - even if it's one word a lesson, it's more than they would have known before. I'm not studying to be a teacher and haven't got much teaching experience, but if you really throw yourself into it you will find it so rewarding and really enjoy doing it. And don't be scared of the language barrier either - you'll be surprised by how much you can communicate through actions! The language barrier for me has actually been the cause for some of my funniest moments here. 
• Two months might seem long, but it's not. The 8 weeks will fly by. Remember to make the most of every day you have here, as you'll have a lot of people envying you from home!

This blog has been a diary for myself more than anything, but if anyone reads this who is considering doing this project, don't hesitate. I have made friends for life out here with some of the other ETA's. I have also never been showered with so much love in my life by the Thai people - particularly by the students at my school who I have come to absolutely adore. Yes, there are lows, yes you will probably get a bit of culture shock at some point and yes it's not easy. But these lows seem not even worth mentioning in comparison to the highs. 

Everyone has had a different experience here - I have been incredibly fortunate. But because every experience and every school is different, no one can be fully prepared for what's to come. But if you just embrace it, do as much as possible, see as much as possible, eat as much as possible - you will have the summer of a lifetime. I did! 

Khao Sok National Park - Chang Trek!

Week 6 was another fantastic week at school. Even the lessons I used to dread I'm now looking forward to; the lessons where they simply don't understand what I'm saying, or the lessons with the more cheeky students. I'm now seeing it as a challenge, and have naturally developed strategies to make what I'm teaching easier to understand. And as for the cheeky students - I can't help but love them. And I think my persistency in getting them to listen (for example, by embarrassing them and getting them to stand up in front of the class with me whilst I explain the work) has made them respect me more, and I can tell they appreciate that I haven't resorted to losing my temper with them. My thoughts - I'm only here for a short time and want to enjoy myself as much as I want them to enjoy themselves in that time! Which I most definitely am.

this little guy is definitely the cheekiest, along with the boy sat next to him. With his head down doing work for once! I can't help but find him funny. He loves shouting out 'shut your mouth!', proud of knowing the English phrase. Shame he doesn't take his own advise...

The Thursday of Week 6 was the two Chinese TA's last official day, and we through them a leaving party. As I've mentioned in a previous post, the girls have been wonderful to have around and they are both such characters - school has definitely been a lot quieter without them around. Their leaving party was emotional not only because I was sad to see them go, but because it reminded me how soon I was leaving! They got so choked up making their speeches... Pee Yung who is the one with less good English couldn't speak for about 30 seconds whilst holding the mic, because she was welling up. Then all she could say was 'I just, don't want to leave.' I can't imagine the mess I'm going to be. Other then that, it was a fantastic night with good food (CHIPS!), wine, dancing and karaoke. As expected, I was dragged up to sing - can't go wrong with a bit of Britney!

 with some of the teachers at the leaving party

 

The girls getting emotional as the director of the school does a speech for them...

 

After school on Friday, Purn took me to Chumphon van station where I met Vikki. Together we journeyed down to Surat Thani to meet the others, and then went on to Khao Sok National Park - myself, Vikki, Caity, Faye, Ryan, Aimee, Chloe, Becky and Fran. When we arrived at our bungalows we quickly checked in and then had dinner at the Nung House restaurant, whilst it rained and rained and rained... We prayed the down pour would be over for our busy day tomorrow, but it didn't. But that definitely didn't stop it from being an absolutely brilliant day.

 

An elephant trek has been at the top of my 'To Do' list since coming to Thailand, and was the main reason for coming to Khao Sok. Although there are many opportunities to ride an elephant all around the country, the Khao Sok trek is considered to be the best and most natural trek in the South and the real 'elephant experience'. This is because it has no set path or route, and goes through a very untouched section of the jungle. It absolutely did not disappoint. We all arrived ready in our rain macs (thank God Purn had insisted on lending me one) and paired up. Me and Vikki hopped on board a beautiful elephant we later learnt was called 'Pancake', and we were told she was the only female elephant on the trek.

 

Me, Vikki and Pancake!

 

The trek itself was incredible; up and down hills so steep I was sure we were going to topple backwards, and through gaps so small I wasn't sure I'd fit let alone an elephant. But old Pancake managed it! I'm sure I should have been a little more scared than I was, but I was far to excited. The elephants were incredible to watch, despite their size they moved so gracefully and slowly that they looked almost mechanical.

 

Me and Pancake

 

We stopped half way through the trek to give the elephants a break and also to see a beautiful waterfall and have some pictures. When we climbed back on to pancake's seat, the guide asked if I'd like to ride on her neck instead of the seat. I jumped at the chance! It was, I must admit, pretty terrifying - especially on some of the ridiculously steep hills without the comfort of the make shift rope seat belt we had on the seats! But it was absolutely amazing. Even if I did get itchy legs from her bristly hair.

 

Me, Caity and Vikki at the Waterfall

On Pancake's neck!

cuddles!

 

After the elephant trekking, it was a quick lunch and then straight off to tubing. Not quite as much of a momentous activity, but just as fun! You get in rings, and it's basically like a river run you'd get at a water park - but in an actual fresh water river. However, it didn't quite compare to a make shift river run in terms of relaxation; a real river, in the heavy rain storms we'd been having, runs a lot faster than a fake river in a pool. Not forgetting the random branches growing through the water you have to try and avoid as well. It was the funniest couple of hours and I spent most of it crying with laughter! We all tried to stay holding hands but it didn't last long. The best moment by far was Becky getting caught underneath a bunch of trees in her ring, with her back bent over and head touching her knees, unable to move, whilst we swiftly moved onwards all in hysterics and left her behind. Sorry Becky!

 

 When we were still able to hold hands, before it got a bit crazy

 

Thumbs up!

Clinging on to Chloe as branches tried to split us up!

 

After tubing, our driver took us to some other great view points. It really is a beautiful scenic area, and I would definitely come back here if I got the chance again!

 



 Caity, Vikki, me and Ryan - check that view.

 

We headed back, got showered and went out for our last evening together. We spent the night chatting about how quick the summer had gone, and all the amazing times we've had. I really do consider them amazing friends, and will miss them all to bits when this is all over! But before we had the chance to get emotional about that, the conversation swiftly moved onto Gavin and Stacey quotes so I was happy. We were also joined at the restaurant by Toffee/Coffee; a dog that had swam with us the whole time we were tubing! We're still unsure of his name. When we asked the owner of the dog who happened to run the restaurant, he said (in a thick Thai accent) 'Yes his name is Toffee. You know, like black Coffee. As in Toffee.' So, we'll just call him 'Offee'.

 

Overall, another amazing and fun-filled weekend, as well as another box ticked on my 'Things to Do in Thailand' list. SUCCESS!

 

 









Life in a Thai School

Not that I have as huge amount of experience teaching back in England, but I think my experience as an English student alone is enough to show me the huge difference between a Thai and English school. The first and most obvious difference is the relationship between teachers and students. As I've mentioned before, the respect Thai people have for people older than them is unbelievable and is evident in the way students and teachers behave around each other. The students treat the teachers like royalty here - thanking them each lesson for teaching them, cleaning up after them and greeting them through 'Wai' every morning (hands in prayer position and bowing their head). When they queue up at my desk to have their homework marked in class, they queue on their knees, kneel at the desk and each Wai saying 'Thank you teacher' when I finish marking theirs and hand it back.

Grade 4's kneeling at my desk to have their work marked

Every lesson starts with a student in the class saying 'please stand up' as I enter, which they all do, and then say in unison:

Students: 'Good Morning Teacher. How are you?
Me: 'I am fine thank you, and you?
Students: 'I'm fine thank you.'
Me: 'Sit down please.
Students: 'Thank you teacher.'

Similar structure at the end of the day, with a 'Thank you teacher. Goodbye. See you again next class.'

It was actually a little creepy at first, but I'm starting to get used to it. It only took 6 weeks... One of my favourite students in Grade 5 is a young lad with quite severe learning difficulties. As soon as he sees me around school, he proceeds to follow me for about half an hour saying nothing in English other than 'See you again tomorrow!'. It really makes me chuckle, as it's obviously a phrase he's picked up from the end of lesson routine but he has no idea what he's saying. Other than that he talks at me for half an hour straight in fluent Thai. I don't know if he realises I don't understand; I've told him countless times but now I've learnt to just nod and smile instead!

'See you again tomorrow!' isn't he a cutey?

I also want to note the difference in the way the teachers treat the students here. An obvious difference is that they are allowed to hit the pupils here, which I saw for the first time only last week. Two boys in Grade 5 kept talking to each other whilst all the kids did their work in silence, as always. Purn, the English teacher and my mentor, went over to them and hit them round the back of the head with a text book. It was not enough to properly hurt them, but I was still shocked and felt incredibly awkward. It must be because I'm used to England which is the opposite extreme; it seems just by lightly touching a student in the UK you could lose your job.

Whilst the teachers are treated like royalty, I can't help but notice the students treated a little like servants. Every morning when we arrive, the students are sweeping and cleaning up the school ready for our arrival. Although this is great as they put great effort into the cleaning and it encourages them not to be lazy (a problem with students in the UK, myself majorly included), I'm not really a fan of it. It worries me that they put this effort in because they are scared of the consequences of doing it wrong. I love that they are so respectful, but hate that this might be down to fear of punishment. Please don't misunderstand in thinking that these teachers are cruel people - it's just the way things are done here. The teachers are absolutely great and do have a laugh with the students, their methods are just more strict than back home which took some getting used to.

Whilst respecting the traditions of a Thai school (e.g. the greetings in unison at the beginning of class), I have avoided adapting the way I teach based on the Thai teachers methods as much as I can. I believe that the excitement of me being here is that I'm different, therefore if I taught in the same manner as the Thai teachers I wouldn't really have an impact at all. My aim is to be a breath of fresh air for them. I am a Drama student, and other than a few weeks work experience here and there in a few primary schools, I have no teaching experience or training whatsoever. My lessons have therefore been based on lessons I remember as being successful when I was at school. The proof that they were successful? I remember them! If my student's remember me in years to come, I'll be a very happy Teasha Roo! I take each lesson as it comes, and try to get them up and moving, shouting out, playing games and drawing... Typical Drama student I hear you say! I love that I can take my time teaching them until they fully understand - unlike the UK where, when I was student, it seemed that as long as the teacher had reached the end of the text book by the end of term, it had been a successful class.

Thumbs up!

I'm not sure if I could pick which is more successful - a Thai or a British school. Both are incredibly successful in their own rights. So I've decided a mix between the two is what we need. Students who respect their teachers enough to listen and thank them for the class, but not to the extent that they feel they have to, in fear of the consequences of not doing so. Thai schools seem to be based on 'Respect you Elders', and English schools based on 'The kids of the future'... I believe a school with equal respect both ends from teachers and students would be absolute top notch. Rant over. :)

Loving things Thai!

Today was Leang Jing and Peeyung's last day at Bannoenthong - the two Chinese TA's. We had an after party for them at the end of school with food, alochol, karaoke and the dreaded speeches that definitely had me shedding a tear. The girls have been an absolute breath of fresh air to have around - two other people completely alien to Thai culture so I didn't feel completely out of my depth. However, they had already been at the school a few weeks when I arrived so were able to help me significantly with what to do and, more importantly, what not to do. Leang Jing in particularly speaks fantastic English, and as none of the teachers speak Chinese, the girls have been another reason for teachers to speak English more frequently - making my life a lot easier. I'll miss them a lot; the school will no doubt be a lot quieter without them here!

The girls making speeches, seconds before they cried their hearts out!

Leang Jing told me how sad she is to be leaving, and it got me thinking about all the things I'll miss when I go back England. So, I'm not going to do a list about English things I miss at the moment - although there is a lot, I'll be back there and bored out of my mind before I know it. Instead here is a list of all things Thai I have grown to love and will miss back in the UK.

• Thai food. some people posted on the Facebook group saying about the weight they had lost since being here. HOW! The food here is so good, I just can't stop eating! The Thai way of eating is generally to put plenty of dishes in the middle of the table so you can help yourself to anything. Or in my case, everything. The fruit in particular is so delicious, and fried banana.. YUM. My school seems to make them all the time and they are so good! I also have a new found love for sea food, which I never ate back in the UK. Yes, the rice is a bit much every meal... but generally, I have nothing but praise for Thai food! 
• Cheap everything. Cheap food, with my weekday meals being on average about 30 Baht, which is around 60p. Travel; for example my van from Chumphon to school is 70 Baht, about £1.50 for an hour long journey. Accommodation - our Phi Phi hostel was 200 Baht a night - around £4 - and considered expensive. How am I ever going to get used to England again?!
• The Teachers. They are like a family at Bannoenthong, and they have been so welcoming of me which has made the experience here as incredible as it has been. Only 2 of them can actually speak English well enough for a conversation, but the others make every effort to communicate with me - it is surprising how easy it is to have a conversation just through flapping your arms about and acting things out. I'll also miss their banter - some of them are absolutely hilarious. 
• The Heat. Although this doesn't necessarily me an sunshine, I have become accustomed to how hot it is here. I love being able to wear summery floaty stuff to school! I'm such a girl. I'm just not a fan of how deceiving British weather is, when you look out the window and plan your outfit based on the blazing sun to then go outside and find its in minus degrees and you should have packed your ear muffs.
• Thai People. Generally speaking they are so happy to talk to you and so happy to help you. Even if they can't speak a word of English, they'll give it a good shot! I swear you could go up to anyone in this country and ask for help and know 99% of the time they will try their absolute best to help you - even if that means giving you a lift somewhere themselves.
• 7/eleven toasties. Great shop. Great toasties. 7 eleven seems to be everywhere in the world but the UK! Come on England, get it together!  
• Pale skin being fashionable. My Irish blood means I very, very rarely tan, and when I do it's not enough to be really noticeable. So I packed the trusty fake tan, but have not touched it once. I think everyone at school might cry if I did. They are crazy about my skin! The paler the better here, so I am in my element. 
• Thai National Anthem. Me and Aimee spent the entire two days humming it last weekend. Hearing it at least 3 times a day means it has become the screensaver of my brain! I'm sure other ETA's agree. But it's not annoying (yet), I still find it very catchy and bob along to it when I hear it. So I'll miss that at home. Maybe I'll set it as my ringtone in England...
• Ghekos. They are so cute! I love finding them in my room! Who would've ever thought I'd say that!
• Being treated like a celebrity. Something you never get used to, and I must say, it's pretty great. I'll be confused when no one is bowing to me and telling me how good I look back in England...
• My wonderful students, who have treated me with more respect than I could have ever imagined. Giving me hugs and presents so randomly, telling me how 'beautiful' I am because of my skin, curtsying and bowing whenever they see me... it has been the most heart warming factor of this trip even at my lowest moments, and I love every single one of them. I'm going to be an absolute weepy mess when I leave. 

I'm sure I'll think of more to add to this list as I go, but that'll do for now! I <3 THAILAND

Week 5 and Koh Payam

Week 5 was probably the easiest and most chilled out of all the weeks so far, and ended with a weekend to match! After an incredible but also very busy and crazy weekend in Koh Phi Phi, a chilled out weekend was what I needed, and exactly what I got.

Monday was spent travelling back from Koh Phi Phi, and Friday was sports day - meaning only 3 teaching days. Wonderful! This week I properly fell in love with my Primary Grade 4's. I always had a little soft spot for them, but now I genuinely really look forward to my lessons with them! They are age 9-10; the perfect age I think. Old enough to already have a few basics in speaking English so I don't seem completely alien when I talk, but still young enough to be easily amused and entertained whilst I make a fool out of myself. Which I do. A lot.

 Grade 4 hard at work!

The 16th was my sister Tara's birthday, so I got my lovey Grade 4's to sing a Happy Birthday for her which I recorded and sent to her. Took a few takes to get them to pronounce her name right, but they were loving the fact I'd asked them to do it!

I'm teaching them about seasons and weather at the moment, and decided to play a game with them for 10 minutes at the start of each lesson. When I say anything related to Summer (e.g. Hot, Sunny) they stand up. When I say anything related to Spring (Warm, Rainy) they wave their hands. When I say anything related to Autumn (Windy, Yellow Leaves) they poke their tongue out (which is apparently the funniest thing, ever). And when I say anything related to Winter (Cold, Snowy) they - are you ready for this - switch seats with someone. My God, the excitement about switching seats was ridiculous. It was like I'd given them each a thousand blue smarties! The teaching in Thailand seems to be quite generic - theory work sat in rows. So by simply introducing a game that allowed them to stand up and switch seats... you'd think it was Christmas Eve!

Some Happy Birthday drawings for Tara from Grade 4's - I didn't ask them to do this! So cute.

Grade 5 and 6 are more of a challenge for sure, particularly Grade 6. They have the more difficult aspects of English to learn, for example past and present tenses, or the difference between 'could' and 'should'. It is hard enough explaining thing like this to an English person, let alone a Thai child. Or worse yet, 30 Thai children. And to make it just that little bit more difficult, they are the cheekiest and most disruptive class by far - particularly the boys! But I guess a challenge is a good thing. It definitely makes it more rewarding when they get something right. And however cheeky they are, I can't help but love them and laugh along!

Two of my students - the one on the left is one of the cheekiest Grade 5's! Also one of the best at English though!

Stern faced Teacher Ruth never lasts and they have learnt this, so their aim seems to make me giggle. Which they always do without fail, and all cheer and clap when they do! Today I told one of the boys to sit down because he'd got up to copy his friends work, so what did he do? He plonked himself on the floor. The whole class were in fits, and I couldn't help but join in laughing, much to their delight. I resolved the situation though. I got his books from his desk, put them on the floor in front of him, returned him a cheeky smile and told him he could get up off the floor once he'd finished the exercise.

Friday's Sports Day was great fun - it was held at another school in Chumphon with around 20 other schools there, all competing against each other. The sun was out, and because Thai people are desperate for white skin and because I'd forgotten sun cream, we found a cosy spot in the shade under a tree. The teachers, the students who weren't competing and I spent the day there spectating. It was another chance to get chatting more with the other teachers and students, three of which took me off for a stroll and some lunch. Me and the three 13 year olds sat and spoke about music and how yukky boys are for a good hour, before heading back to base. At around 2.30 Purn took me to Chumphon to meet Aimee and begin our weekend travels.

posing with some teachers at Sports Day!

Vikki had been nice enough to invite us to hers for the weekend, and we arrived in Ranong at around 6pm. The little town she lives in is so cute; a traditional Thai community all fascinated by the new 'Falangs' (foreigners) on the block. We met Vikki's mentor Ing, who has to be one of the best people I've met here! She is absolutely brilliant, I think the word I would use to describe her is Jolly. She laughs at everything we say, and would not let us pay for a single thing the whole time we were with her - 'you are student, you have no income!' - she got that right. Her sister who Vikki also lives with couldn't speak a word of English but calls me Barbie. She had stalked me on Facebook, and kept doing impressions of the ridiculous faces I pull in pictures of me on my profile when I've had a wee bit to drink... Very funny! After a beautiful dinner and a stroll around Kraburi, we went back to their home for fruit and a chat and then bedtime, ready for a busy Saturday.

with the lovely Vikki and Aimee

9am start the next day. Ing had made us all breakfast which included Peanut Butter. It made me far to happy, and I won't deny eating it by the spoonful. SO GOOD. (Aimee did it too.) We set off in a private van all for ourselves (did I mention Ing is really rich?), and were taken to see some beautiful waterfalls and hot springs. After lunch Ing took us to a ferry port, where she paid for our tickets to visit the island Koh Payam for the night. Koh Payam could not be more different from Tao and Phi Phi - although both were amazing, this weekend we got the real island experience. With a very small population, no internet, limited electricity and a beach to ourselves, we were in paradise. We checked in to our bungalow, watched the sunset at the beach and then had dinner with other travelers at our accommodation.

One of the gorgeous waterfalls - tourist pose with Aimee!

 Me and Vikki at the sunset on the beach

The owner of Gold Key Bungalows was a very camp Swiss man, who was all about everyone making friends and being happy! It was great, he brought us all together eating around one big table and bonding over a game of jenga. As always it was amazing to here all the travelers stories and have a laugh about our very diverse experiences. We were joined by a Thai hippy called Jimmy who was awesome, and we found out was the owner of Hippy Bar next door - the most famous bar on the island. It's shaped like a pirate ship and made completely out of washed up bits of wood and rubbish, and was so impressive. Although it was closed for the rainy season, he invited us over to have a drink. We spent a couple of hours there chilling around a campfire with Jimmy on the guitar - it was great. I think it'll be a night I'll remember, it felt like real travelling for the first time.

Jenga bonding session with other travelers from around the world

Hippy bar all to ourselves

The next day we continued the hard life, and spent the day sunbathing and napping on a beach entirely to ourselves. We were convinced we were tanning, and it was not til the journey home we realized how burnt all three of us were! Ing picked us up from the ferry port, took us for dinner, and ordered her driver to take me and Aimee all the way back to our schools, both about 3 hours away! I was spoilt more in that weekend than I have been in my life by Ing, I can't imagine how life must be for Vikki!

Me and Aimee unknowingly getting burnt on the beach

Hippy Bar by daylight - this is just the front of it. It was huge, and made out of washed up anything. So cool!

Overall, a wonderful weekend with two great friends and yet another lovely bunch of people. I've seen the two extremes of island life now, and absolutely love them both!

Weekend of a lifetime...

After deliberation of whether I went to Ko Chang or Koh Phi Phi for the holiday weekend, my decision was made quite easy, and Koh Phi Phi it was - and thank God. The most beautiful place I've ever been to. After a very 'up and down' week, an amazing weekend away with some of my favourites was exactly what I needed, and was exactly what I got. Happy Teasher Roo!

We started our journey in Chumphon, where me, Aimee and Vikki made our way to Surat Thani to meet Briar, Faye, Ryan, Caity and Becky. Then we got the coach from Surat Thani to Krabi and wow, that was quite a journey. Public transport in Thailand is unlike anything you'd see in the UK. Although it is dirt cheap, they will literally pile people on until they can't physically fit anyone else on. I was lucky enough to get a seat, and had Ryan happily chilling on the floor of the aisle next to me reading his book. Aimee managed to get a seat as well, but I think she wished she didn't. She text Ryan to say the Thai woman next to her wouldn't stop crying, her boyfriend stood in the aisle comforting her whilst they simultaneously glared at Aimee. Awkward! (but funny for the rest of us).

Ryan and book and floor.

When we reached Krabi, we checked into our hotel and headed out for a few drinks and dinner. Me Vikki and Becky were boring and wanted to be fresh for Phi Phi so headed in early, but the others stayed out and had what sounds like a pretty mad night. Matching tattoos were involved, which looked amazing! The next day we checked out, headed to the ferry port and made our way to Phi Phi.

I fell in love with the place before I'd even reached our hostel. Blanco hostel was on the other side of the island, which meant a full 15 minute trek to cross the island! Yes, it's that small. There are no motorized vehicles whatsoever on the island, which definitely adds to how amazing it is. No mopeds coming at you beeping from all angles! Just push bikes instead. On the way to the island we had a very very bizarre moment which involved Jade - one of our winchy girls. Having been placed so far from the South, I hadn't even thought to invite her along to Phi Phi. But there we were, walking along the beach and literally bumped into her! It took me a minute to realise it was her! It turns out she had decided to finish teaching just a couple of days before and was now travelling alone, and heading to Cambodia the next day. She said she was off out to get some food, and we said we'd join her once we'd dumped our stuff at Blanco... 'I'm staying there too!' was her response! Not only was she staying there, but she was staying in the same dorm as us, in the bunk bed bellow me. Such a small world.

View from Blanco Hostel - YES.

Sorry for rambling again! Anyway...

We dumped our stuff, and went for food. Jade introduced us to a girl called Emma she'd met on her ferry the day before who was absolutely brilliant! Such a laugh, I wish we'd spent more time with her. She told us about a day trip boat ride she had done that went round all the islands where you could snorkel etc which sounded great and was nice and cheap, so we decided that would be tomorrows adventure. We finished eating, and hit the beach. We always count ourselves very lucky when the sun is out here, as you never know when a storm will hit - they literally come from nowhere. This was the afternoon we met Paul and Tom, two travellers. Both were lovely, Tom in particular was an absolute sweetheart and we adopted him for the weekend.

Sunbathing beauties. 

Myself, Jade, Vikki and Becky decided to trek up to View Point for sunset at around 6pm. It was an incredibly steep and sweaty walk, but was so worth it when we got there. From the top you got a view of the whole island, and it was absolutely stunning. I think it beat the view of Bangkok from Sky Bar, just because of how natural it all was! Seriously beautiful. After a while admiring the view, we trekked back down and got ready for dinner and our first night out. It was an absolutely crazy night spent at Woody's and Slinky's - two of the bars on the beach next to each other recommended in Vikki's trusty Thailand book! There was a fire show at Woody's which was incredible, with people skipping with fire ropes and jumping through fire hoops... we were allowed to join in as well. Not that I did, I just peer pressured the others to...

The view of Phi Phi from View Point. Yep. 

I won't lie, much of that night is a bit of a blur. But I remember it to be one of the best nights ever. I love the way everyone on the island was so eager to chat to each other - it was like a festival vibe but even better. I met people from all over the world that night, a lot of whom I've kept contact with, and it was so great to hear their stories about where they've been and are going. After a swim in the sea at 6.30am with Vikki, Tom and some other people I don't know, we headed to bed for a two hour sleep, ready for our boat trip the next day.

Fire skipping rope!

I was surprisingly fresh the next morning, and ready for our boat trip. Briar greeted our dorm with an almighty 'SAWADEEKAAA' in the morning, right in Tom's ear. We arrived at the peer (me, Vikki, Briar, Caity, Tom, Becky and Rob) and squeezed on the boat with about 15 other people to visit the many islands of Phi Phi. We had many stops throughout the day - Mosquito Island, Bamboo Island, Maya Bay, Monkey Beach to name a few (because I can't remember the others). Each was as beautiful as the next, and it was great to get the chance to go snorkelling around the corals and tropical fishieeees.

Taking off in the boat! 

One of the bays we stopped at.

At our second stop where we had an hour to explore the island, we were properly introduced to the lads that are Reverse Oreo - Kelly, Ed and Kris. All Bournemouth boys, but Kris is down the road at Southampton for Uni and Kelly grew up and lived until a few years ago in Santa Monica, California. When we asked Kelly what his job was, he (so casually) told us that he was a professional dancer, and he'd been in loads of music videos and on tour with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Rhianna to name a few. And, he'd met Beyonce. 'Yeahh I met Bey, she's pretty sweet man.' SO COOL!! We also met two lovely girls - Lucie and Hannah, also Brits who were great fun to.

 Up and coming boyband - Reverse Oreo.

 Becky, me and Caity at one of the stops :)

Back on the boat with the lovely Briar

After a massive telling off from our tour guide for being an hour and 20 minutes rather than an hour (whoops), we hopped back in the boat and tried to ignore the massive black cloud that was coming our way... We couldn't ignore it for long though. Soon the waves got so choppy we were absolutely drenched and the rain started to bucket down. It was absolutely hilarious for the first 15 minutes as we (and our fried rice lunch) got soaked, and I was crying with laughter. But then we saw the panicked look on our guides face. We asked him if everything was okay, and he mimed the boat flipping over. As you can imagine, it wasn't quite as funny anymore. Vikki bless her is not a fan of open water, and so had her life jacket on immediately. We proceeded to huddle together under our towels, sing songs and play 'would you rather' to keep up the morale as if we'd known each other for years, whilst praying we didn't die. I guess a near death experience is bound to bring you all together! The rain passed, as it always does in Thailand, and we all got straight back into the water to warm ourselves up, snorkel, and celebrate being alive.

Rob, Caity, Tom and Briar snorkelling

We then headed to Maya Beach - which was by far, for me, the highlight of the day. It's where the movie 'The Beach' was filmed, meaning Leonardo DiCaprio had been there, which meant he is now basically my husband (right?). However, to say it was a mission to get to the beach would be an understatement. We had to swim over to this mini cliff thing, and that was hard enough. The waves meant every time you got even a little bit close, you were dragged back and had to start over. It was hilarious, but would have been more funny if we weren't dragged over sharp rocks which we couldn't see under the water. We were all covered in bruises and cuts!
When we reached the cliff thing, it was then the challenge of climbing using old frayed ropes. It was so much fun, I felt like I was on Pirates of the Carribean or something. It's only afterwards I thought of how ridiculously dangerous it was, and how easily someone could have seeeriously hurt themselves. The UK would have gone Health and Safety crazy! But Maya Beach itself was so worth it. It was so gorgeous I thought I was in a movie. It's a shame we didn't have longer there to be honest, but we had a great time in the sea taking countless amounts of pictures. The wind made it absolutely hilarious - it was so strong that sand was flying everywhere and stung so bad it felt like we were in a really hot blizzard. People were just running everywhere screaming, as if they could run away from the wind!

The ridiculous climb to Maya Beach 

Maya Beach again, the whole gaaaaang!

After one of the best days ever, we headed back to shore. Had a quick shower and got ourselves ready for another big night out (after an all you can eat BBQ, lush!). We met the boys at some bar where you watched randomers wrestle as you drank - as you do. People could just get up and request to fight each other in the ring and it got pretty brutal! Was surreal - again it something that would never happen in the UK. After drinks there we headed to Woody's and Slinky's once again for another amazing night, but this time with our new 'Phi Phi Fwends'. Met more people this night, people that made me very jealous of there travels knowing I had to head back to school the next morning.
I love the school and teaching, but you live such a double life here that you convince yourself your a traveler at the weekend, and have a bit of a comedown when leaving. The comedown this weekend was worse than ever, after meeting such great people in one of the best places in the world. But we're already getting started on reunion plans in the UK!

 Casual fight in a bar.

Ed, Briar, Kris and Me, last night at Woody's

We were on the same ferry as the boys the next day, so headed back with them, all depressed to be leaving. Not only did I make great friends this weekend, but I got so much closer to the other ETA's - a group of the loveliest people I've ever met. I feel like I have known them for a lifetime and could talk to them about anything - we already know far to much about each others lives! It's crazy to think it's only been a month or so since I met them all. I really, really hope we all stay in touch back home!

One more funny moment to mention before I stop rambling (I promise) - there was a baby on the ferry that would not stop screeching for about half an hour straight. The Thai family could not shut this baby up, and after a serious lack of sleep it was irritating a lot of people. So, Kelly being Kelly, went straight up to the baby, looked it in the face and said something along the lines of 'Hey, man, it's cool yeah?' - and the baby froze, staring at Kelly in sheer horror. It was absolutely hilarious, the whole ferry was laughing and the Thai family asked for a picture with 'chocolate man'. I thought being white was crazy here, but for Kelly it was something else! They literally think he's some kind of celebrity! (probably due to the fact he convinced them his name was Kanye, but still..)

 Caity me and Briar, ferry home.

Cool kids at the back... plus Bri.

So yeah, that's it. I know it sounds corny, but one of the best weekends of my life, definitely the best weekend here. My parents met out in the Middle East and went travelling together, and whenever I name a country they seem to know someone from there. I've always found it mad, but after meeting people from at least 8 different countries in one weekend I see how easy it is! I always said I could never travel alone, but after this weekend I've seen how easy it is to do, and how friendly people are towards back packers. Already dying to go back to Phi Phi, and back to Thailand when I've not even left yet!

 <3

Oh my god, can't believe I forgot to mention Peter! On the last night, on the way to our glorious BBQ, I saw a monkey. We locked eyes, I ran towards him, and he ran towards me and jumped on me. It was love at first sight. Cooler than any human I've ever met. I would actual travel back to Phi Phi, just for this monkey. Lucky the island was amazing, so I'll be heading back anyway. I'm coming for you Peter!

Week 4 - half way there.

So the start of week 4 wasn't great. I spent the first few days pretty homesick and upset - but I was told to expect it when I reached the half way point. I've never had homesickness before so it was a very bizarre feeling. Whenever I've been away from home in the past, I've always just been excited to go home and see my family, but never to the point it would upset me. But I blame this homesickness on tiredness - 2 hours sleep over my weekend in Bangkok was probably not my best idea! Because, as everyone knows, tiredness totally amplifies things - that thing being missing my family, not being able to speak to close friends, or something as simple as the internet not working. Seriously, the internet playing up was the end of the world on that Monday. All I can say is thank God for the lovely Avita Kaur; the poor girl seems to always be around when I have a low point and is an absolute pro at cheering me up. What a star!

But then things properly turned around, starting on Thursday 8th. I was told the day before I would be picked up at 6.30am rather than the usual 7.30am, but told nothing other than that so I just assumed school was open early for the day or something. I was wrong! Rather than being picked up by Purn, the director of the school showed up to whisk me off for the day, along with Lamduan, and the two Chinese TA's. I genuinely had no idea where I was going, and whenever I asked they just said 'school' - even though we were travelling in the opposite direction to Bannoenthong... After a classic 7/11 toastie for breakfast and an hour long journey, we arrived - and we were at a school! A school in Chumphon, on the coast and it was beautiful. Turns out there was some kind of school fate with around 80 schools there, each with their own stall. With around 8 teachers and 8 of the loveliest students from Bannoenthong, we set up our stall and were selling fried banana's for the day. Simple as that! But it was such a great day, and reminded me so much of my primary school summer fate's back home (except it was Pad Thai instead of a BBQ, and traditional Thai dancing instead of a unsuccessful attempt at Maypole dancing). The sun was out for once, and I got burnt to a crisp - standard!

At the school with some fellow teachers .

The thing that stood out about this day was how close I actually got to the students and teachers. It was the first day that I'd had the chance to properly get chatting to them and we had so much fun. Some of the teachers are absolutely hilarious even when I had no idea what they were saying. One of them made me stand in front of the stall and pose whilst saying in a seductive, high pitched voice - 'Welcome to Bannoenthong School, you look like you enjoy fried banana?'. I took two of the students off for lunch who were absolute sweethearts, and told me all about their family and life outside of school. I'm so glad I spent that time with them (even if they won't stop facebook messaging me now).

Bannoenthong's fried banana stall!

Just all in all, a really great day. I ate far too many banana's though.
That evening, Aimee stayed the night. Our mentors had organised a sleepover for us because they knew we were both travelling to Phi Phi together the next day - so nice of them! It was a great evening, as always with Aimee, and was once again great to speak English at full speed. We ate food, we gossiped, and we watched 'The Vow'. How very Western!

Friday was Mother Day celebrations. The following Monday was the Thai Queens birthday which is a national holiday every year, and this year it was celebrated at our school on the Friday before. I showed up at school with Aimee (much to the kids delight - MORE WHITE PEOPLE!), and had a very lazy morning of sitting in the school hall and watching performances from the school band, two students doing traditional Thai Dancing (in the most beautiful costumes I've ever seen), and the Monks talking whilst we pretended to know what they were saying. It was lovely. We also had to give the monks a formal food offering, and line up in front of a picture of the Queen, curtsy and then write in a book 'Long live the King and Queen' with our signature. Not that we knew what we were doing at the time, we just hopped in line and hoped we weren't signing our lives away...

Me, Aimee and some of the teachers at Bannoenthong Mother Day.

Throughout the day, students could pin flowers to their teachers, and I ended up with a whole flower bush on my chest! I had no idea what this represented but accepted them with a smile. After researching what the flower giving represented, I found out that a lot of the children here do not live with their mothers, as they have had to move elsewhere for work. These children give flowers to teachers that they feel have represented a mother figure. It brought a tear to my eye! Was very very sweet, and I've kept every flower. I know I keep saying it, but THAI KIDS ARE SERIOUSLY THE BEST.

Me and my many flowers, with one of the students Umaporn - who gave me a flower and is incredibly good at English. *cough* favourite...

After the Mother's Day celebrations, me and Aimee jetted off to Chumphon to begin our journey to Koh Phi Phi, ready for what would be the best weekend ever...