We were all on the bus by 9 a.m. and headed off to the Street Kids' Home. As we turned into the drive way the children were running towards the bus and waving. It was a great welcome. We played games with the children and watched them have cooking lessons - and later on we all tried it out. We had a huge group of kids playing duck, duck, goose; doing the hokey kokey and relay races. This was all on an incredibly hot day so our pupils did extremely well. We all went to see the chickens and pigs in the grounds and walked across the football pitch.
In the afternoon we got ready to go for our elephant ride. The bus took us up, and we could see the elephants before we arrived which added to the general excitment. We went through to the village and got taken to the platform to climb up onto the elephants' backs. We were in pairs, and after walking down a short path the elephants decended into the river which caused a great deal of shreaking! The water was a long way up on the elephants, the bottom of their ears got wet. Just as difficult was getting out of the river the other end as the bank was very steep. We then went through the countryside feeding the elephants with bananas as we went. After an hour we reached another platform and got off the backs. After climbing down the steps we had to go over a rickety bridge across the river. Unfortunately Mrs Amphlett had a fall, and had to be taken to hospital. We all went on in jeeps to see how Thai silk is produced, and then went back to the village for fruit and to watch the film of our ride.
We got back in time for a shower before supper, and as Mrs Amplett is in hospital we stayed at the center for the evening.
Friday, 6 June 2008
From Birmingham to Pattaya
We had a good flight from Birmingham, but none of us got much sleep. The pupils were all too excited and there was a lot of movement to and fro to the toilets, which was quite disturbing! We had quite a short wait in Dubai, enough time for a comfort stop and then on to the departure gates. The plane to Bangkok was much more luxurious and luckily for us did not have many passengers in our section, so we were able to spread out and get some rest. Some of the pupils had 4 seats to spread into! We arrived on time and waited for about 20 minutes for the coach, then travelled on to Pattaya. We arrived at 9.15 p.m., so just had time to get our rooms sorted and then we all settled for the night.
In the morning on Saurday we walked around the site and wandered to the shop, just to get everyone over their jet lag. After lunch we walked to the orphanage. We were met by the staff who explained a little about the children and then split into 2 groups - one in the baby room and one in the toddler room and then we swaped half way through the afternoon. The pupils were fantastic and all quickly bonded with the children. The babies had a great time and the pupils had an even better time. They can't wait to go back again.
We got back to the center to get changed, and then went to church.
In the morning on Saurday we walked around the site and wandered to the shop, just to get everyone over their jet lag. After lunch we walked to the orphanage. We were met by the staff who explained a little about the children and then split into 2 groups - one in the baby room and one in the toddler room and then we swaped half way through the afternoon. The pupils were fantastic and all quickly bonded with the children. The babies had a great time and the pupils had an even better time. They can't wait to go back again.
We got back to the center to get changed, and then went to church.
Thursday, 5 June 2008
School trip to Pattaya
The Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College in Worcester is visiting the Orphanage in Pattaya. You can read all about their trip on this blog...
Tuesday, 5 June 2007
Saturday 2nd June
After breakfast the bus picked us up to take us to the beach to catch the speed boat accross to "Coral Island". The first speedboat they brought was too small so they contacted someone else to bring the larger boat (which we had ordered in the first place) and we all clambered aboard, and set off at high speed to the island. We had ordered deckchairs so had a shady place to sit. The pupils all had a great time in the sea but the time was out so it was rather shallow. It gave us a relaxing time ready for a flight home. We returned at 4 p.m. and had time for a shower before church at 6 p.m., then supper at 7 p.m. and the coach to the airport came at 8 p.m.
The flights home were good, we started to get used to being fed 2 breakfasts and other meals at strange times of the day and night, also we had plenty of waiting around in Bangkok and Dubai, but arrived in Birmingham only 30 minutes late at 12.30. We were probably a stange sight, some in coolie hats and a stange assortment of exotic clothes! The families were all waiting for us and were thrilled to see everyone looking bronzed and well, if a little tired.
The flights home were good, we started to get used to being fed 2 breakfasts and other meals at strange times of the day and night, also we had plenty of waiting around in Bangkok and Dubai, but arrived in Birmingham only 30 minutes late at 12.30. We were probably a stange sight, some in coolie hats and a stange assortment of exotic clothes! The families were all waiting for us and were thrilled to see everyone looking bronzed and well, if a little tired.
Friday, 1 June 2007
Friday 1st June
The pupils were given a free choice of activities this morning, 12 went to the School for the Disabled to teach English and 3 went to the Orphanage to help with computers for the kindergarten. This afternoon we will all be going to the Orphanage with the babies and toddlers and then going on to the Drop-in Center to play volleyball with the Street Kids. After supper we will be packing as tomorrow we have a day off and are going to what is known in English as Coral Island. I'm sure everyone will be green with envy when they read this!
The afternoon turned out to be the saddest occasion of the whole time in Pattaya - we had to say goodbye to the babies and toddlers. All the pupils and staff became very attached to the babies and hated the thought of leaving them behind, so there were some tears shed. There was a very subdued atmosphere on the bus as we went to the Drop-in Centre.
When we arrived there the volley ball net was up ready for a game, and soon everyone was divided into teams and the games started. The Kids were so pleased to see us again - they have very few visitors and we were the first to ever go there and play with them, it was great to be greeted as old friends. After several close games we gathered our things to walk back to the Center. The children there have only recently come from the streets and have had the most appalling experiences - what we gave those kids cannot be measured but it made them feel that some people really care about them enough to visit them, play with them, and get to know them properly.
After supper we all started to pack ready for our departure on Saturday evening.
The afternoon turned out to be the saddest occasion of the whole time in Pattaya - we had to say goodbye to the babies and toddlers. All the pupils and staff became very attached to the babies and hated the thought of leaving them behind, so there were some tears shed. There was a very subdued atmosphere on the bus as we went to the Drop-in Centre.
When we arrived there the volley ball net was up ready for a game, and soon everyone was divided into teams and the games started. The Kids were so pleased to see us again - they have very few visitors and we were the first to ever go there and play with them, it was great to be greeted as old friends. After several close games we gathered our things to walk back to the Center. The children there have only recently come from the streets and have had the most appalling experiences - what we gave those kids cannot be measured but it made them feel that some people really care about them enough to visit them, play with them, and get to know them properly.
After supper we all started to pack ready for our departure on Saturday evening.
Thursday, 31 May 2007
Thursday 31st May
Today is a big Buddhist feast, so everyone is on holiday. We spent the morning with the babies, toddlers and kindergarten kids, just playing with them and giving them lots of love and attention.
The bus picked us up from the Center at 1.40 p.m. and when we arrived at the Orphanage the children were lined up waiting for us. The clambered onto the bus and a very excited group of children set off for Pattaya Park. When we got to the ticket office they all waited very patiently for their tickets and bowed and thanked as they were handed their ticket. Once inside we found seats under an umbrella and all our pupils plus their assigned child went into the water or straight up the steps to go down the slides. They did not stop for an instant, but came out immediately when told to come and get a drink. I think they were expecting water, so were thrilled when they had the choice of Pepsi or 7up. It was worth the strange looks in the shop and dragging 38 cans back to them just to see their happy faces (our pupils were pleased too!) As soon as the drink was finished it was straight back into the water for most of them and up and down the slides again, although a few of them went into the swimming pool proper for a short time to teach some of the little ones how to swim. Some of the children were only 5 or 6 so had not had much opportunity to learn to swim.
After a shower and supper (sauted potatoes instead of rice - we were all beside ourselves with excitement!), we got taxis to Royal Garden shopping mall for the pupils to do their last minute shopping spree. They were much more comfortable this time as they knew the lay out and the shops and also they went round in a large group and took confidence from that.
The bus picked us up from the Center at 1.40 p.m. and when we arrived at the Orphanage the children were lined up waiting for us. The clambered onto the bus and a very excited group of children set off for Pattaya Park. When we got to the ticket office they all waited very patiently for their tickets and bowed and thanked as they were handed their ticket. Once inside we found seats under an umbrella and all our pupils plus their assigned child went into the water or straight up the steps to go down the slides. They did not stop for an instant, but came out immediately when told to come and get a drink. I think they were expecting water, so were thrilled when they had the choice of Pepsi or 7up. It was worth the strange looks in the shop and dragging 38 cans back to them just to see their happy faces (our pupils were pleased too!) As soon as the drink was finished it was straight back into the water for most of them and up and down the slides again, although a few of them went into the swimming pool proper for a short time to teach some of the little ones how to swim. Some of the children were only 5 or 6 so had not had much opportunity to learn to swim.
After a shower and supper (sauted potatoes instead of rice - we were all beside ourselves with excitement!), we got taxis to Royal Garden shopping mall for the pupils to do their last minute shopping spree. They were much more comfortable this time as they knew the lay out and the shops and also they went round in a large group and took confidence from that.
Wednesday 30th May
After a busy morning at the Orphanage with the babies and toddlers, we went back to the Centre for lunch. We had our afternoon activities cancelled by the Head of the School for the Blind - she wanted to do something special with the whole school, so decided to have some free time as we had to activities planned for the late afternoon and evening.
After lunch we went to Luk Dod to do some more souvenir shopping, then went back for a quiet hour and a half to catch up with some rest and relaxation. We all got ready to go to the Drop-in Centre to play football with the kids there. Crossing the main road we the most hair raising experience, although there is a pedestrian crossing, the motor bikes still come piling through! We boys from the drop in were waiting for us, and were very excited to be having visitors. They got organised into 2 teams and a frantic game took place. Our boys took of their flip flops to play, and ended up visiting the nurse to get their sore feet dealt with. When they pulled out the girls took their places - watching the boys have such fun meant they were thrilled to take part. The boys didn't want us to leave and when we had gone they were asking when we could come back, so we hope to see them again before we leave - this time playing something which means we can keep our footwear on.
After supper most of the pupils went up to the Vocational school for the Disabled to join in English Club and hang out with the students up there. They had a wonderful time and the students really appreciated them staying and talking to them, and also playing basketball with them!
After lunch we went to Luk Dod to do some more souvenir shopping, then went back for a quiet hour and a half to catch up with some rest and relaxation. We all got ready to go to the Drop-in Centre to play football with the kids there. Crossing the main road we the most hair raising experience, although there is a pedestrian crossing, the motor bikes still come piling through! We boys from the drop in were waiting for us, and were very excited to be having visitors. They got organised into 2 teams and a frantic game took place. Our boys took of their flip flops to play, and ended up visiting the nurse to get their sore feet dealt with. When they pulled out the girls took their places - watching the boys have such fun meant they were thrilled to take part. The boys didn't want us to leave and when we had gone they were asking when we could come back, so we hope to see them again before we leave - this time playing something which means we can keep our footwear on.
After supper most of the pupils went up to the Vocational school for the Disabled to join in English Club and hang out with the students up there. They had a wonderful time and the students really appreciated them staying and talking to them, and also playing basketball with them!
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