English Day Camp

On a Saturday we were asked to tag along on an English Day Camp trip to Amphawa Floating Market, about 2 hours outside of Bangkok. All of the English Program students went on this trip - M1 through M5. We had a vague idea of what this trip was all about but were very excited to find out!

We were told to arrive at 7:30am - where we waited and took photos with the each of the classes. Then we boarded the buses and started the journey. We drove for about 1.5 hours on a busy bus, tour guides and students playing games the whole way - and eating, we were given little snacks and drinks. Some more interesting than others.

Our M4 EP Class

Beth's M5 EP Class

First stop - an ocean-side Wat. In this Wat you are supose to make a wish, if your wish comes true then you light many fireworks off in thanks. We heard the loud cracks and bangs of firecrackers in our 30 minutes there. We were free to roam around this small area looking and eating. We enjoyed a iced hot chocolate - yum!

Small transportation/fishing boat

Back on the bus for another 20-30 minutes to Bang Kung Camp in the providence of Samut Songkrham. This 200 year old temple, Wat Bang Kung, is said to be special because of all the local trees growing in and around it. Also in this area are statues showcasing different moves in Muay Thai boxing. We could look around this area touring, fruit shopping, and some more eating. Some of the Thai teachers bought us some new delicious fruit and some coconut paste grilled in a banana leaf... yummy!

Full of fruit, we boarded the bus where we had a boxed lunch - rice and cashew chicken - yum! But a word to the wise - don't eat the red chilis or the chili paste if you do not want to breath fire!! We drove and finally arrived at Amphawa. First we toured a large memorial park for King Rama II it was difficult to learn much as all the explanations were in Thai.

Then our guides directed us to the floating market, where we were all free to roam until the meet up time to go home. On our way a young student from a different school, maybe 2nd-3rd grade, stopped us farangs (white person) to ask us questions in English and write our responses. She was very nervous talking to us but we helped her fill out her sheet. Our students did not have to do this though... not sure why especially because it was "English Camp." Three of Beth's M5 students served as our guide as we wandered, good English practice for them, good Thai practice for us. We had a good hour and a half to explore, shop and eat. This was not the floating market we had envisioned, it was less floating and more of a large market along a canal with the occasional novelty docked boat selling various goods. At one time it was a bustling floating market but with changes in time and space it is not as practical as it used to be.

Our walk consisted of the students buying treats and for us to try - so many interesting things to eat! Some yummy others not so much. Sweets here can be very different than what we are used to. Our big purchases for the day were ice cream and handmade bracelets.

 Back on the bus to take our full bellies and purchased treasures back home. These kids amaze me - they ate snacks the whole way home! A full day of eating sugar does not sound as good as it used too, maybe it is a sign of getting older....