These are my last few days in Thai Muang. I have no teaching as I wanted a week off to sit back, chill and relax before heading back to freezing UK! There were a few things that I wanted to do. I went to the Thai Muang Turtle Sanctuary and they had turtles of all different sizes, amazing coral and giant sea clams, wonderful stuff. I went to Phuket to say goodbye to Andoo and buy a few last minute presents. I asked Tin is he could arrange some snorkelling for me and yes it’s all set for Friday morning.

Thursday night went out with Anders and Net to George and Veronicas as a going away supper. Very enjoyable and they bought me a lovely present, thank you both xx

Tin and I went snorkelling with Mud, the fisherman, although not terribly successful as apparently the water was too high but we did sail around the coastline and swim. It is the most beautiful unspoilt beach that I’ve ever seen and I would hate to see it turned in to another Patong beach. Where all you’ll see is sunbed after sunbed after sunbed!

I am just getting ready to go out for the last night. I’m off to school tomorrow morning to say goodbye to everyone and then Tin has kindly offered to take me to the airport.
I am not looking forward to getting back to the very cold weather in the UK but I’m sure I’ll get acclimatised quickly!
This is Laney signing off – good luck and enjoy those who come to help out in Thai Muang. You wont regret it! 30.01.10

Fri 8th Jan
Good news, Fon and I are going to Ubonratchatani! The director has approved our going and Kwang is very pleased. They are now looking at the best way to travel there. In the mini-bus which has a possibility of breaking down because it’s renowned for not being very reliable or take the coach to Bangkok and then another to Ubonratchatani. I would love to fly but it’s not a direct route and not particularly cheap and as I’d want Fon and Kwang to be with me have decided to go with whatever transport the school provides. More practising with Kwang. Anders and Net are away so I went to George and Veronicas for supper, pizza, chips and garlic bread!!

Sat 9th Jan
I decided to take the bus to Khao Lak and had sent Christin a text to say I’d meet her there if she fancied some company. I waited for a bus from 09.30 until 11.00am and not a bus to be seen!! Christin was also waiting but about 30 kms away. So the only thing to do was to jump on my bike, grab the helmet from home and go ad pick her up. We then went to Bang Niang Beach (just past Khao Lak) and had lunch. WE then went further up the coast to White Sands – called because the sand is white!! Clever. Also they have little crabs that crawl about in their shells. Hard to find but we managed to find one or two, I’d never seen this before and it’s amazing how they can squeeze themselves into their own shells! They’d never be homeless! Took Christin back to Baluga school and then I came home I was very tired, I hadn’t realised what a difference it made when you had another person on the bike and also I felt a huge sense of responsibility for her too. Picked up some spring rolls and pancakes from town and headed home for a reasonably early night!

Sun 10th Jan
I was aching on my shoulders but it soon wore off. Lovely day and so I rushed through the household chores and went off to the beach. Stopped off at Georges first for pizza and chips, again, not at all healthy but tasty all the same. Then went to the beach and watched some children rushing around trying to catch the sand crabs, occasionally they were successful and it was great fun watching them. The children are so friendly, they came over and they told me their names, Chi and Bing and I took some photos of them. I decided to go in to the sea and they joined me and we messed around in the waves for a while, great fun. I packed up and went home and then met Anders for supper. We went to Rimhad’s on the beach and had typical Thai food, papaya salad, green chicken curry and rice. The rain started again but wasn’t too heavy when I went home but certainly turned in to a storm and carried on for about a couple of hours.

Mon 11th Jan
No school today as the teacher’s were on a conference but I’d arranged to meet Kwang at school so we could do some more practising. I did the usual chores, read my book and then took some washing to the lady in town and met Kwang. We went through the speech and she remembers just over half of it at the moment. Tomorrow she’ll read the speech in front of the whole school and before we leave on Friday for Ubonratchatani she’ll say it to the school from memory. She remembers most of the gestures and facial expressions that I’ve taught her. This is a very important part of the speech and I think about 25% of the marks can be given for this. Meeting Anders and Net soon so will close for now.

Sat 2nd Jan
I planned to go to Khao Lak but changed my mind when I saw the sky. Still overcast and it looks distinctly likely to rain. I chanced it for a while by going to the beach and having pizza and chips at George and Veronicas. Can’t say it’s doing the waistline any good! Back home to the regular chores and just in time before the heavens opened! I was very thankful to be inside. Managed to go out in-between downpours and met Anders and Net for dinner as usual. Movie night again.

Sun 3rd Jan
Had an acute attack of utter laziness and so stayed in all day. Read, watched TV updated my CV and thought long and hard about what to do next….. no answer as yet, but will let you know as soon as I know!

Mon 4th Jan
Back to school. Fon’s classes today. First were the mechanics and I’d prepared a list of questions concerning time-keeping (which we had done in the last lesson) and asked them to write the answers in their books. They then read them aloud which the students love to do even if you ask them to stand and 9 times out of 10 they giggle – even the boys – it’s lovely to see. Second class were the computer students. I went through body part names with them and then onto how to tell a doctor that you have a pain and where. Yes, I did tell them the naughty word for ‘bottom’! I now, what a bad girl I am. Fon wasn’t in school today and when I managed to get through to her on her phone she’s had to go to hospital. She’s been experiencing some weird headaches and they were taking tests! She’ll be back tomorrow so nothing too serious. Absolutely pouring again and I have no intention of going out in that! So I stayed home, had strawberry jam on toast, good old English cup of tea and all was well. Thankfully, the electricity didn’t go off!

Tues 5th Jan
Went through again with Sunisa yet another speech she had written for the English speaking finals. I’d already sat down with her last week and we’d agreed that I’d re-write her original, so I spent a good amount of time doing just that and had it ready for last Thursday (Kwang was meant to be visiting Sunisa – which didn’t happen!) only to have Sunisa hand me another. Unfortunately again there were mistakes and this is hardly surprising when you have a Thai writing in English. I re-wrote the bits that needed it and when it was typed up, sat down with Jiranan (Kwang) to go through it with her. It’s about the advantages of Vocational Education training! Yeah well as you can imagine it’s a tricky piece. I went to see the Asst Director as this time I really feel, that for Kwang’s sake it would be a great help if Fon and I went with her to the finals. She needs T.L.C. and she’ll get it from us. Not so sure of what he made of it but nothing ventured nothing gained! Did I mention that this was the finals for the whole of Thailand – so can you imagine if Kwang gets placed? What it will do for the college? I can and so want Kwang to get as much help support etc as she possibly can. Especially as there isn’t much time, the competition is either on 18th or 19th January 2010! And the piece has only just been written! I’m not saying another word! Time will tell! It started raining again but I managed to get to Anders in-between the rain and went with Net for dinner, however, we both got soaked coming back! Home to carry on reading my book and early to bed.

Wed 6th Jan
Sat from 08.30 – 12.00 with Kwang going over the speech. She really does have an aptitude for learning and she’s picking up the new words reasonably quickly. Poor girl, the pressure is on her. Every day we’ll practice and hopefully we’ll sort something out for the finals even if I have to buy plane tickets! The finals are being held in a place called Ubonratchitani and it’s somewhere between 15 – 20 hours in a mini bus! Now you know why I’d consider the plane. Went with Fon and two other teachers to Khao Lak to a couple of hotels where the college has work experience students. There have been some problems, ie some of the students haven’t turned up! They needed to resolve them. I wondered around the hotels, had a good nose and made the mistake of sitting at the pool bar and ordering an iced coffee. I normally pay 30 Baht. This time, I paid 141 Baht and the coffee was revolting! There I learnt my lesson didn’t I? Looks like rain again so I guess I’m in for another soaking. Will close for now……….

Fri 25th Dec
Happy Christmas! Back to school as feeling much better – how else would I want to spend Christmas Day but teaching! Had a lovely lunch, pork noodle soup, my favourite and something that I have every day. I must have been wished a Merry Christmas at least 100 times and the students knew a little bit of Jingle Bells and so we had a sing song.
I went to the beach just so I could say “I went to the beach on Christmas Day”! It was lovely and peaceful with hazy sunshine – but I can’t complain as there is snow in England and Germany. Just Anders and I having dinner as Net was busy at school, quiet meal, then I went home and Net was there with a young German volunteer, Christin from Baluga school. She stayed the night as we are all going to Phuket tomorrow.

Sat 26th Dec
Net picked us up at 08.00 and off we went to Phuket, her cousin and a friend were with us and once we arrived, we split up as we had different things to do. Christin and I went shopping, eating, booked in to the Crystal hotel. We did more shopping and then met up with Fon – my English teacher from school – with her husband Nae and son, Noney. We went to look at the sunset from a very popular place, Phrom Thep Cape. It was lovely but unfortunately cloudy and so not the greatest sunset but a lovely idea all the same. We all went to dinner and arranged to meet the next day.

Sun 27th Dec
Following an unusual American breakfast – we went to meet Andoo at the market, did some more shopping and waited for Fon. We went to Kata Karon beach and then to Patong beach for lunch. It was wonderful sitting there people watching and what amazing people. All foreigners – the only Thais on the beach were those working. I was fascinated by the ‘Lady-boys’. It’s quite difficult to tell with some of them, some of course are very obvious but others not so. Fantastic legs – no cellulite there! Apparently I have to be in Patong at night-time to really see them at their best, can’t wait. Christin and I caught the bus back to Thai Mueang and met Anders, Net and some of their friends at a restaurant on the beach, we had dinner then back to the house. Christin and I sat and chatted and talked girlie stuff, it was great.

Mon 28th Dec
I took two classes for Fon this morning as she was in a meeting. Went well and I back-tracked a little and was pleasantly surprised when the students remembered a fair amount of the work. We had a good time and I think they enjoyed themselves. Strange to think of students enjoying themselves in class but you have to understand that the Thai way is totally different to ours. Some students turn up 20 – 30 minutes late for class – but that’s okay, they were having breakfast! Some would ask to be excused – to nip to the toilets for a quick ciggie! Right – can you imagine this in the UK!
I went to the beach again but only for a little while and then back home to catch up on my blog. Met Anders and Net for dinner – had pork noodle soup! I’m going to look like a noodle soon! Back home to watch a film then bed. It’s absolutely pouring tonight but I guess I shouldn’t complain as it’s still about 28 degrees and its 20.30!

I arrived at Phuket airport following an eleven hour flight from Heathrow to Hong Kong, half an hour there and then a three hour flight to Phuket. All in all a good trip. Anders was at the airport to meet me which was wonderful and we drove to Thai Muang. We stopped on the way to buy a coke and never before have I drunk a coke from a small plastic bag, filled with ice and served with a straw!! Very interesting concept and understandable as there is money back on the bottles of drink.

Settled into the house for a couple of hours before Anders collected me, on the back of his motorbike, to make a tour of Thai Muang. He decided it would be a good idea for us to call into the Vocational College where I’ll be starting to teach on Monday, I was looking like a wreck but that didn’t stop him!! Took my first paddle in the Andaman Sea and chased a crab. Wow what an amazing view, 13 km of pure sandy beach. However there’s a very strong current and so swimming not advised but I’m sure I’ll get away with the occasional paddle.

First night in the house alone. Was very tired, having been up for 33 hours so was hoping for a good night’s sleep. Not as bad as I thought but must confess it’s taking a bit of getting used to having lizards skittering around the walls at a rapid rate and clucking to each other. There’s dogs running around the rubber plantation and once one starts barking they all have a go, very harmonious!! NOT. Will get used to it though. Had to get up several times during the night but have my trusty torch just to double check. Will take some time before I’m comfortable with seeing so many spiders, slugs, very large ants and insects but it’s all part and parcel of being in Thailand.

Fri 06.11.09

Up and about at 08.30, sorted a few things and then went for another tour with Anders. I had no idea that the food was so spicy, took a couple of hours for me to get my feeling back in my lips after one particular meal. Anders says that the spicier the food the less I’ll feel the heat!! Do I believe him, not yet. It’s around 32 degrees heat and 90 degrees humidity, wow and do I feel it. Have never enjoyed a cold shower so much! The traffic in Thai Muang is far greater than I imagined and precarious. No rules as such, just who-ever is the largest wins! Went to watch Anders teach at his school, very informative! My first experience of a Thai toilet, seat covering a hole at a very low level and a container of water to use to flush, fun!! But when in Rome etc etc!!
Evening meal with Anders and Net, very good company. Shopping, of course. Loads of shops but not as I’m used to but basically sell almost everything. Have found milk, bread, butter and jam. Small packets of cereal and so I can still have a taste of England! Apparently there is a Tescos in Phuket so will look forward to a visit there.

Sat 07.11.09

Up at 07.30 ready for the day ahead. Went and collected my moped – it’s been a long time but managed well. Have to say the traffic is a little daunting at first but I just close my eyes and hope for the best, kidding!! Am trying to get used to everyone staring at the ‘furung’ (foreigner), most smile but not all! I do stand out like a sore thumb although there are a few other white people around, but not many. Just Net and I had dinner tonight, Anders busy working…..the Thai customs are so very different to our own and its very interesting listening to their culture. Have to bite my tongue on the odd occasion as some things just sound like the dark ages, arranged marriages, strict time keeping if the parents say so and we’re not talking about teenages either! However, it’s their life and their way of doing things and as I said to Net, I don’t wholly agree with the Westener’s ways of doing things either.
Always get back to the house around 8.30 – 9.00 pm so have time to potter but have to confess to feeling very tired, I think the heat is draining me or it could be my age of course!!

Sun 08.11.09

Had a typical Sunday, cleaning, washing, reading and generally lazing around. This is the first time I’ve been in a hot climate and not rushed out to sunbathe! Reason : it’s so very very hot. Mind you I will but I’m taking things slowly. Thank god for my music as there is no TV, which, I must confess, was a huge part of my life before!! There was a funeral in town, which I opted to miss so just popped in to see Anders, use the internet and so some more shopping, then back home. Feeling a little nervous about my first day at college tomorrow but fingers crossed all will go well.

Mon 09.11.09

Arrived at Anders at 07.15 and followed him to college. Met with Fon and Sunisa, who I’ll be working with and went to hear the morning speech by the Director and some teachers. Little did I know that I was going to be called forward to address the whole school!! Anders had said that it wouldn’t happen but he was telling a fib!! It wasn’t as bad as I thought except they gave me a microphone which of course I didn’t really need but they didn’t know that. Went with Fon to meet the Director and Asst Director, had coffee and then to my first class with Sunisa! Had to be on the fourth floor!! Phew, that takes it out of you I can tell you. The building is nothing like I’ve ever seen before, it reminded me of a 5 story airport hanger. However, there’s whiteboards in the classrooms and chairs with a ledge for the students to lean on as way of a desk. They very kindly brought a large fan over as I think they soon realized I was struggling with the heat!!
The students are wonderful and I love to see them giggle, especially the boys. They are fairly shy but pretty soon overcome that. The girls smile more than the boys but the boys, when they think you’re not looking, call out and say hello and laugh behind their hands. Their level of English is fairly basic considering they are 15 years and upwards, however their written English is pretty good and they have beautiful handwriting.
I went to lunch with the Director, Asst Director, Fon, Sunisa and a couple of other teachers. Very tasty food, at a restaurant opposite the beach. I think it all went well. Sunisa and I went back to class to teach another lesson. Basically it’s all been about introductions and very basic conversations covering, my name is, where I live, about the family and pets. All good.
Got home and collapsed in a heap, as I said it must be the heat!! My excuse anyway. Chilled out and then off to meet Anders and Net. Anders has put some movies on a memory stick which is great. At least I can still get a taste of watching films.

Tues 10.11.09

A reasonable good night and off to college on my own, managed to take the wrong road but got there in the end. Different students today and similar to yesterday. Some students are better than others but all seem willing. Finished at lunch time so drove around for a little and then back home pottering around. There was the most amazing thunderstorm and lightening with masses of rain, didn’t last long but cooled the air a little. Drove to Anders and my glasses kept steaming up and was wearing a very colourful rain mac complete with hood! Very fetching. My legs were soaking but within 10 minutes inside dry as a bone. Went for a meal with Anders and Net, different place and equally as tasty. I’m getting more used to the spicy food too. Met another English teacher who has been here for four months, she’s with a friend and so we’ll meet up sometime and exchange notes.
Back home, finished watching a movie and then bed.

Wed 11.11.09

Up and off to college again only to find that I have one lesson only. Am finding it a little frustrating how the Thais teach English, basically so long as the students can repeat the words and write them down, that’s enough. When I asked the students what they were saying, they had absolutely no idea. I’d love to start at the basics and work from there but the Ministry of Education has set down for the schools and colleges what has to be done and how so I guess their hands are fairly tied. I feel guilty not being there more and want the college to utilize me as much as possible so keep trying to drop subtle hints, however, subtlety has never been my strong point!!
Met Anders for lunch and had pizza and chips, absolutely fantastic. Mind you can’t eat there too often, far too many calories!!
Home to do my chores. Have got to mention just how great a wet shower room is, so easy and its great if you’re rinsing stuff out just stand in there and use the high powered water hose and rinse away. I love it. Was going to pop back to the beach but got waylaid with stuff at home so will go another day.

to be continued…

In less than a month, I shall arrive at Phuket airport, Thailand to start a three month stint as a volunteer English teacher. Believe me, that when I say that once the decision was made, it was plain sailing from there on in. I researched as much as possible about the culture, climate, food and exactly what I could do as a volunteer. I always figured it would be with animals but there’s only so much a person can do along the lines of salaried jobs with elephants, orang-utans and the like. I was so fortunate to find TM Volunteers and that by being a native English speaker I could help the Thai children learn English. That’s the plan anyway.

I’ve taken it one step further by taking an intensive course in teaching English as a foreign language so that with my practical experience of teaching in Thailand I’ll be better prepared to launch myself into the world of teaching.
Now to the important stuff….. preparation….

The Injections:
I was living in Germany and had a wonderful doctor who advised me on all things necessary. It’s important to know that some of the injections have to be taken at various stages and so a last minute decision is not always the best plan. It is entirely possible that some of the injections that I’ve had may not be considered necessary by some, but I admit to being one of those people that errs to the side of caution, every time. So here follows the list……

Tetanus x 3 Diphtheria x 2 Whooping cough x 1
Polio x 3 Hepatitis A & B x 3

Not so many! I also ordered in advance any of my regular medication – to cover all eventualities! My HRT being of the utmost importance.

The Visa:
An incredibly easy process, although it meant I had to fly back to UK to process. I went to The Royal Thai Embassy in London and put in my application on a Thursday and collected my visa the following Wednesday (the Monday was a bank holiday). No long tiresome queues, very friendly helpful people and at the cost of £45.00 I now have my ‘O’ type visa, valid for 90 days in my passport. As easy as that. A note: the visa cannot be applied for more than three months prior to travel. I leave UK on 04.11.09 and collected my visa on 02.09.09. The necessary paperwork is the letter of acceptance and recommendation from TM Volunteers, complete with registration number, passport and completed application form.

The Shopping:
Any excuse to buy new clothes – yippee – but then I realised that I wasn’t actually buying the clothes suitable for the climate of Thailand. Oh dear, so off I went again – this time being sure to buy 100% cotton and linen. Much better second time round but still had to resist the temptation of buying totally unsuitable clothing! I had to bear in mind what was suitable attire for school and what I’d need outside of school. Always a difficult task for me and I’m sure I’ll take far too much stuff. Trying to curtail the amount of cosmetics and toiletries as I’m sure I’ll be able to purchase the majority there. I veer between thinking that I’m going to a place that will have absolutely nothing suitable for a Westerner and then to the complete extreme that I’m doing them a grave injustice.

The Mind:
It’s an amazing thing, the mind. Can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Mine is firmly made up and once a decision has been made there’s no going back – it’s a God send in many ways. I am embarking on a completely new experience that will take me totally out of my comfort zone and throw all sorts of hurdles my way. Bring it on! Having said that, the fewer insects, creepy crawlies, large spiders, snakes etc, the better. I’m not the strongest of people when it comes to things of that nature, but I aim to do my best.

I’ve reached a stage in my life where, for a short time, I can put myself in to a position to help others. The majority of the time I am so excited that I can hardly contain myself. I can’t wait to meet Anders and the TM team, the children and students, to immerse myself in a totally different way of life, to discover the delights of Thailand, to understand what makes it the ‘Land of Smiles’ and to hopefully learn how to adopt some of the tranquility and serenity and be able to apply them to my own life, post Thailand.

However, and there is always a however, I do have moments of total doubt. What happens if I can’t make myself understood? That the children/students don’t like me. That the heat and humidity is unbearable. That there are so few English speaking people that I’ll be lonely. That I’ll hate the food…………..When this happens, I let it all come to the fore and then I try to answer in the positive.

I’ve bought a book and CD on Thai language and will endeavour to have a few Thai phrases under my belt to help me when I’m not being understood. There may well be children/students that don’t like me but I’m confident that equally there will be those that do. The heat and humidity will be an incredible contrast to what I’m used to, but I’ll adapt. I’ll have to make sure I spend as much time with people so that even though our conversations may well be limited, my Thai might improve as well as their English. I’ll live on salad and fruit if needs be but I’m certain it wont come to that.

I am totally open-minded; I have to be as how can one possibly know the unknown! Our lives should all be about discovery. I’ve played it fairly safe in the first 50 years of my life and now intend to walk on life’s edge for a while; you never know I might become a great adventurer! Wouldn’t that be something amazing to look back on in my twilight years!

Laney

volunteer photos, great photos, images thailand, volunteer pics

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I’m traveling with my older brother, Yoshi, and my good friend, Gina, and we’ve been in Thai Muang for a little over a week. We arrived at 6:30 in the morning on an overnight bus, and Anders and his friend, Tia, were kind enough to pick us up and drive us to the volunteer house about 1km from the main road.  It’s more enjoyable to walk at night time, after the sun has gone down.  People passing by have offered to give us rides to our destinations on numerous occasions.  We jump in the back of pick-up trucks, ride in the side carts of motorbikes, or sit on the back of motorbikes (this option, I’m not so fond of, since I crashed twice on a motorbike in Southern Thailand in December).

There is one bicycle shared between four volunteers at the moment, but since Yoshi rides the bike to his school a few kilometers away, he has priority on weekdays.  Gina and I don’t mind very much, because our school, Wat Muang Pracharam Primary School, is only a 25 minute walk from the volunteer house, and the beach is only a 20 minute walk from the school. (Yes, Gina and I are slow-paced walkers.)  The two of us have managed to be at the beach a minimum of once every day since we’ve arrived.  On our way to the beach, people on the streets shout out “Hello! Where you go?” to which, we reply “bai ta lay”.  This is one of the few Thai phrases I’ve mastered, and it means “Go to the sea.”  However, as wonderful as the beach has been, we have had the time of our lives teaching grades 1st through 6th.  We have each class once a week, and we have no classes on Thursday.  Gina and I have never taught before, and when we tell people that we are both 18 years old, they are always very surprised. The teachers thought we were 25.  On our first day, we arrived at 8am and watched their morning assembly- the band played music, each class stood in line for morning exercises and stretching, the flags were raised, and we made a brief speech to the school on a microphone to introduce ourselves.  Since then, we’ve said “hello” and “how are you?” a few hundred times, given loads of high-fives and handshakes (a.k.a. “shake hands”), and gotten more hugs than imaginable.  The kids have been wonderful.

I’ll write more later.

]]> http://tmvolunteers.org/blog/denali-thai-mueang-volunteers.html/feed 0 http://tmvolunteers.org/blog/volunteer-dave-final-thoughts.html http://tmvolunteers.org/blog/volunteer-dave-final-thoughts.html#comments Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:16:34 +0000 TMV http://tmvolunteers.org/blog/?p=9 The last two months in Thailand has absolutely flown in. It only feels like i have been here about two weeks. You are always kept busy. You can be organizing lessons for the following week, going little weekends away to various destinations close to Thai Mueang, perusing the local markets or simply sitting at the beach.

Myself and the other volunteer, Eileen. Organized a weekend away to Ao Nang. It is in the Krabi Province about two or three hours away from Thai Mueang. Getting there is very easy. You just need to speak to a Travel operator in Khok Kloi (20 min from Thai Mueang) and your transfers are done. I would recommend a website called Travelfish.com. I organized our accommodation there and it gives various choices of accommodation all over Thailand.

Once arriving you will see it is set amongst huge cliffs touring to the sky, Ideal for rock climbers.  A Golden beach laden with Longtails waiting to take you to copious islands and little hideaways. It is like any Western beach resort. From the Costa Del Sol to Cancun to Lanzarote to Bali. It has an assortment of restaurants and bars ranging from Italian, Swiss, German, Thai and Irish. The prices will vary but almost all restaurants and bars will be double what you pay in Thai Mueang. Market Stalls lining the road wanting to sell you bracelets, bags, clothes, pictures and sunglasses. It is all very nice to see but it is all the same after 10 min.

On the Saturday morning we had arranged a 4 Island Speed boat trip. It leaves from Ao Nang early. You will see Maya Bay, made famous by the world renowned film The Beach. Phi Phi Island is also on route; here it is nearly four/five times the price of Thai Mueang. You will also see Chicken Island and when you arrive at Bamboo Island its nice just to go a walk around after the long Speed boat journey. It is definitely worth a visit. There is loads to do in the area. I never done it on this trip but on a previous visit I done Kayaking, seen the world famous Thai Boxing and seen a couple of waterfalls.

Back in Thai Mueang you have a market there which is always interesting to visit. You have the Thai Fishmongers that have fish caught from the Andaman Sea that morning. Fresh fruit and vegetables which you never see at your local Tesco or Wal-Mart. Bakers selling loads of little Thai cakes. Curio stalls selling traditional Thai Jewellery and artefacts and loads of clothes stalls selling the Thai fashion and the fashion you will see back home.

In and around Thai Mueang you can go little adventures. I loved to jump on my Moped and just decide on a road and see where I ended up. Travelling through little villages amongst the Rubber and Palm Oil Tree Plantations definitely appealed to my British nature. We always love to see new and uncharted territories where the locals stare at you as if you are from outer space. Coming across a deserted beach with not a person in sight was always highlight. Sitting there with your thoughts, watching the sunset and listening to some Ben Harper, Explosions in the Sky, Ulrich Schnauss and Groove Armada on the I-pod made me realise that I needed a change in lifestyle. Thai Mueang or experiences like this is what I need.

If you come here for the beach, food, Thai culture or to get away from your nine to five. Always remember that the teaching is reason we are here. These kids do need our help and we can make a difference, however small.
It made every day here worthwhile. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Please visit tmvolunteers.org for more information about my volunteer experience.

Cheers

Dave

Friendly Bongalows - Ao Nang, Krabi