Working in Krabi as Tefl Heaven Trainer

After informally meeting some of the trainees on the way to Krabi and seeing them around that weekend I was pretty confident we had a good group of people. The staff consisted of two assistant trainers (Nik & myself), one Thai teacher (Golf) and the main trainer Alex. I was a little worried we would get some lunatics but thankfully Alex and Golf were very fair and I enjoyed working with them and Nik who was in my group when I was a trainee back in April.

On day one I thought I would be a little more nervous than I was but after the first few minutes I found my rhythm. I really wanted to do a great job and genuinely help prepare the trainees as best I could from my experiences in Thailand. Trying to hold back on off loading vast amounts of helpful information on day one was difficult!!

The trainees, from a starting position were better than my group from a teaching perspective which made my job a little easier. There was the usual errors that everyone makes, not gesturing enough, talking too fast, not using simple English, voice projection, activity choice, giving instructions etc etc.

I could ramble on in excessive detail about the whole three week course but instead I will bullet point some of the highlights and things that I want to remember. I've probably left out numerous things and yes severe censoring has been applied!

•Throughout the course trainers fill in numerous evaluation sheets nearly every time a trainee teaches a practice lesson. For the first task I was evaluating my group and made a decision not too criticise the trainees as this was their first graded task and I felt it was important to build their confidence. In hindsight I should have given some criticism so they would know what areas they needed to work on. A few trainees approached me about this which is perfectly fine and from than on, as I would of done anyway I put 100% into every observation form and constructively criticised. The trainees really appreciated my feedback and I could see them working on the things I had mentioned.

•Part of the course is a visit to a Thai school or camp so the trainees can practice teaching in front of Thai children and not just each other. This was a highlight and a turning point for me when I did the course. I could see it was the same for the trainees. It was exciting for me to see them in action and using what they had been taught. It brought me back to how nervous and excited I felt when I did it.

•As a thank you from the camp organisers we were treated to some orientation/adventure activities including an on the ground scramble, a ball passing game attached to trees, a blindfolded mini hike, a rope suspension bridge crossing and a pond swim! We were broken into teams and points were rewarded for chanting your song and for team spirit. Everyone got involved and helped each other. At some points I picked up the Thai kids and ran with them. One girl couldn't swim so I carried her across the pond!! Oh WE WON!!

•As a trainer you have to keep some distance between yourself and the trainees for obvious reasons. This was pretty difficult during the weekends especially when we all went to Phi Phi! That was a great night as the other Phuket course also went and we ended up having a beer pong competition and a plank off. Myself and Taylor were robbed of victory in our bp match due to a caught ball!! Some say Phuket won overall but I'm not so sure!!

•Lots of sickness occurred amongst the trainees with daily trips to the clinic or pharmacy. Three people had blood infections, many had vomiting and diarrhea and even rash breakouts!!

•On numerous days we hit the pool for some water volleyball!! This was very enjoyable and I even had a team named after me "Jerry's *****"!!

•There is some friendly competition between the different TEFL groups and one competitive task is how well a group can make the TEFL HEAVEN letters by using people. Personally I feel we nailed it and that ours was more defined then the other groups!! Heck we practiced the layout and everyone knew their roles!! Am I bias, heck no!!

•The trainees got hold of my adventure camera and took a crazy amount of pictures with it! "Jez you might have some interesting pictures on your camera", "so what like private part pictures?", "ah crap why didn't we think of that"!!

•One of the days I returned to find a pretty clever rhyme on the white board relating to myself. The class did it as a joke and I thought it was pretty funny. I can't repeat it because its vocabulary is somewhat vulgar and my Mother wouldn't be happy!!

•A great day was seeing David Waller, a long time friend from back home and someone who I have travelled with before and trust. It had been six months since I have seen anyone that hasn't been a new friend over here so I was pretty excited to see him. Unfortunately due to the 'letting go' of a team member my working days increased and I didn't get to do much with Dave during training.

•Seeing the improvement in everyone was really satisfying. It felt I had achieved what I set out to do which was to say after three weeks that I am confident all the trainees will be good capable teachers.

•The last day was absolutely brilliant as it involved a quiz, a treasure hunt/task game, a group dinner, a talent show and a heavy night out!! I really wanted to participate in the games but of course I was conducting them!! We had plank offs, stare offs, wheelbarrow race, burst the balloon without using your hands or feet, guess the song, find the balloon with a message in it, make up a rap/poem and the quiz!! The trainees got into it which is crucial otherwise it wouldn't have worked. Keep in mind we are all adults some of which are in their 30s and these are essentially kids games!!

•Getting thrown into the pool by the trainees and playing some beach football on the last day!

I can safely say this three week job was one of the best I've had due to the team I worked with, the location of the job and most importantly the fantastic group of trainees that I had. If things work out I would be interested to do it again as main trainer in April.

TEFL HEAVEN KRABI 2K13

Holidays Part 1

Schools out and its time to do some actual traveling. Here's the thing people who work abroad aren't travelling so please don't say you are because your not!!

•Arrived in Chang mai and met Kaye, Bustin and Larisa. As you would expect I had a list of things I wanted to do and pretty much did all of it! Hit a few Temples followed by lunch in UN Irish bar. After awhile we found the prison massage place. This is were prisoners with sentences under six months train in Thai massage. It was my first one and she didn't hold back, from my facial expression I was clearly shocked at what this women was attempting to do to me! Painful but good. Quick change and than it was a night safari drive near the zoo! This was okay, highlight being so close to giraffes. These were so massive and we were at foot level. Bedtime as a long drive awaited us in the morning. 

•Rant - Getting asked the same boring travel questions time and time again. Granted its polite but seriously someone change it up! "Where are you from?" should be replaced with "have you ever shot someone?" or something!

•Pai - I wasn't to wise about Pai but I am delighted the girls knew about it. We decided to drive by bike to Pai. After some Thai inefficiency (we rented bikes and Bustins bike is literally gone with his bag in it, apparently the bike went to get fixed) we got going but before we left the city we got a little bit lost!

The roads to Pai are amazing, dangerous, fun, challenging and very twisty. I had Kaye on the back of mine which meant I had to concentrate especially when it was raining heavily! After the bike incident last month I really didn't want to crash! We got lucky and had lunch at a really well built resort.

With 30km to go I hit a pothole that blew the back tyre out! This is bad news because if the tyre comes off the rim the bike would not be drivable. Kaye hoped on Kayes bike and I painfully nursed my bike the rest of the way!!

Pai reminds me of a small beach village except there is no beach!! We ate a serious amount of food, I was having two main courses for lunch and dinner. The great thing is Kaye is one for a wee bit of flamboyance so I was happily drinking more wine than normal and we ate a few times in trip advisors number one rated restaurant, ..Witches... We rented bikes and saw a waterfall, had a break in some hot springs at a much cheaper rate because we live in Thailand and thanks to Larisa's impressive navigation skills reached the viewing point.

•Zip lining - Keeping to our adventurous schedule we got the van back and made it for zip lining the next day. It was good but not better than Costa Rica. The abseiling made me pretty nervous as I'm no fan of heights! Kaye departed which was a pity, easy person to travel with who has the balance between having a laugh and being serious. Met a solid character from South Africa and Larisa and I went out for Mexican and a few beers in Warm Up - serious music but too packed.

•Next day was a full day of cooking on Sammy's farm, great set up, different, fun, hammocks! Following day Dante Elephant camp were I got to feed, ride bareback and wash some very large elephants! The trainer gave me the largest female, describing her as "she's a little funny"!! Now I have been on horses, donkeys, and camels but this was extremely difficult mainly because my 3 tonne elephant would not stop moving its head which I'm on (no rope or anything like that) and bending down which nearly caused me to fall off over its head!! I was using my legs so much as grip that even three days after I'm very stiff from using muscles that were idle!! Awesome day, great pictures and an elephant stood on a woman's foot, she is okay!

•On the last day Larisa and I got bikes And had a great drive up to Doi ...... temple. The temple as with most "seen one, seen them all"! Good few steps up. After that I said goodbye to a great hostel and a very helpful Pear!! Larisa went to Chang Rai and I went to Bangkok. I would recommend Chang Mai!

•Bangkok/Kanchanburi - Eventually I got to BBK after some stupid logistics on my part. The mission was to make the United vs City game but that never happened! Thankfully. I knew some of the crew were out and despite being wrecked I felt it necessary to join them especially as I may not see certain people again. Turned out to be a good night. At one point I bought shoes so we could get into a club. Worth it. Music in Thailand is amazing! Good night. Kanchanaburi has great history and in fairness its railway museum and bridge are pretty interesting. Basically I rented a bike and drove to the two museums, cemetery and the famous bridge. I was also looking for a Giant tree but after 2hours I didn't find it, I was close, I did come across a random temple carved into the mountain.

•Bangkok - Got back,  went to the cinema and than we got on it........lost phone = gutted, good result in the match. Following day I was off to The Thailand Open 2013 in the Impact Arena with one of the girls. I have never been to an official ATP tour event and it didn't disappoint. The seats were very good and some top players played. Had some beers and got two matching t-shirts which wait for it... had our nicknames on the back of them. If that's not cool than what is, obviously meant as a joke!! Pretty much laughed for the whole thing! The adventure to get there was pretty interesting and unexpected!! Google maps said it was 15mins away when in fact it was closer to an hour away...time was very tight so we eventually got two bike taxis to the arena and made it for the second set of the first match, relief!! Interesting taxi ride back and a few drinks with the others some of which were crazy drunk.

That pretty much ends part 1 of the my holidays as its time to head to training and than on to Krabi by bus that should take 11 hours!! Funds are dramatically being reduced!!

End of Semester 1

Media kids (my agency) say you are meant to do something at morning ceremony. Until two weeks ago we hadn't done anything. The English director asked me to teach the students a question and answer during morning ceremony to the entire school with all the faculty members. I don't mind talking in front of large groups but I knew the kids wouldn't respond well and felt I was walking up to be road kill! I went with "how was your day?", "My day was fine". Simple, short and in fairness the response was better than expected. However I did have students asking me the question all day!!!

For the end of semester I decided to do a project instead of a test. All 19 classes would do the same project with the winning team getting Irish gifts and certificates of academic achievement which I would arrange with my Mother and the school! Many students are putting in significant effort and it has caught the attention of numerous faculty members. Mam has sent the gifts and I hope they are good enough. Kind of feel under pressure! The project was to compare the difference between Ireland and Thailand and include any references used. The students had a choice of PowerPoint, poster, report, video and anything else they could think of!!

The deadline came and I was overwhelmed by the amount and quality of some projects. Naturally there was some poor ones that somehow thought I was from Iceland!! It was very difficult to pick a winning team and I ended up picking two runners up as well. The winning team of two did a report, a video and a booklet. The marking criteria considered eight categories so you can imagine the time it took to input the data to excel!!

On deadline day I was swamped, students were emailing me projects, handing me CD's/posters/reports and even when I was on my way home there was projects on my bike!! I had given a deadline extension due to the workload the kids have and that caused me to be under pressure to get the grading done as I was on holidays the next day. I announced the winner and runners up on stage at morning ceremony in front of 2,400 student's! I tried some Thai that went down okay but needed clarification by the English director. I hope the students liked their gifts. I was later told no English teacher had ever done a project before! My co-teachers to my delight were very pleased with my work!

On the last day I was asked for the end of semester grades..........I had been doing this but had stopped as no one asked or directed me as too how they wanted them. It turns out I get 30 points which I break up over attendance, mid-term and final project. Keep in mind its the last day and I teach over 700 students who I now have to convert the percentage for each area into a percentage of the marks allocated. I did up an impressive excel spreadsheet but it still took me until 5:30 on Friday and 2.5 hrs on Saturday to complete!! First Saturday in work for a very long time!!

Overall I am pleased with how semester 1 went, I learnt a lot and will be better at my job next semester. My contract has been renewed for a second term and I even got offered two jobs with my agency that I declined so I am doing something right!! I do like the feeling of knowing you just did a great lesson, that the students really enjoyed. Not all classes go that way but a lot do!
That reminds me on Wednesday we had a random visit from a local university! Student teachers had come to observe some classes. Its the last week and I hadn't planned anything other than a few pictures, the project and goodbyes. So there I am when suddenly 25 FEMALE student teachers come in and stand around the walls of the classroom! There is 45 students in this class!! BOOOM I think quick and end up playing a great game that even got the student teachers involved!! I was happy I didn't mess up or get nervous. Pretty much nailed it!

My plan now is to do some travelling to Chang Mai and maybe two more cities before meeting in Bangkok for the assistant trainer orientation. From there I go to Krabi were I will teach the new batch of Tefl teachers for three weeks. It should be good as I am doing it with Nik who I know very well and I'll meet a bunch of new people. During/after that I'll hit some Islands and head back up to kick off semester two! Also I got the news that Mr. Waller himself will be out to see me for a few weeks and give me some well needed back up against the English onslaught!

Ramblings - An Effort to Reduce the Facebook Posts!!

A few things I need to bring everyone up to speed on, firstly a dog robbed one of my pretty expensive flip flops and I haven't been able to find it or the dog. That's two pairs gone in Thailand. That's at least what I thought a few weeks ago!! I found this flip flop in one of the wardrobes hidden for over three weeks!! A prank by an Englishman!

Secondly I managed, through the help of some friends to collect 200 tokens for a 7-eleven softish rollable mat thing. I strolled in there with the gusto of a young FIFA world player of the year only to be delivered a striking blow. The clerk took the tokens and handed me a receipt (keep in mind no English is being spoken), I looked blankly not able to comprehend I wasn't holding my mat. Eventually I realised the advance date on the receipt meant I would have to return for collection over a week away. So that ended the evening of sunbathing and it took me awhile to recover, I think I was just disappointed and disillusioned with life!! Thankfully I have the mat and it hasn't disappointed. I am collecting once again, except this time its for the foldable picnic table!!

As some of you will remember my very first meal alone in Thailand resulted in a tower of beer arriving on my table when all I wanted was a bottle! Yesterday, 30/08/2013 I went searching for anywhere that had the English Premiership on. I tried many places until I finally found it in a decent looking place but unfortunately there was live music being played at a ridiculously high level. I ordered a bottle and what comes out a bloody jug of beer!! At least I now have a place to watch the football. Two weeks have past since the above and the music is an absolute joke, so much so that tonight 14/09/2013 I left at halftime in search of a TV, I saw one and pulled over to a restaurant (Thai style) that was closed with a family (owners) eating a large fish while watching the match. I asked were they open, NO, I pointed at the match and they beckoned me in! Result, the match and no concert like music banging away. I chatted with the family as best I could and even missed the Rooney goal while watching some game the child was playing on his tablet. They said come back anytime and there is another example of the unbelievable hospitality of real Thai people!

Went to the dentist during the week for a check up and cleaning. Thankfully she has a good grasp of English. It had been awhile since I'd gone to the dentist but I past with flying colours' "amazing dental hygiene"!! Total cost plus toothpaste and mouthwash 470 baht or 12 euro!!

It was science week in school so I expected to see exploding bottles and dissected rats but instead they had a show were the dresses were made of recycled material. It was very impressive. Thai's seem to be great with their hands. One girl made a hat out of hong tong boxes stitched together! There was also a rocket show that Harry and I attempted to enter at the last minute. Unfortunately the opening on our rocket was a little to large so it wouldn't fire!! Very disappointing.

The last tour meeting of semester one took place and for some it would be the last we would ever see of each other. I've been in enough groups to know the good intentions to see friends in far away places let alone nearby places is rare. However it does happen and I've had friends over to Ireland and met up with others in Italy and Las Vegas but after one maybe two meet ups its gone and you wont see those friends again. The weekend was..........well its not fitting for this blog but in my view it was a step to far. Every action is not excusable by saying the words "on tour". I did win a trophy for "most on tour" which I worked pretty damn hard for over the last four months to achieve and appreciated it. Tour has been great, people amazing and the banter incredibly consistent!! For those who I will not see again, it has been an absolute pleasure and I wish you all the best for the future. 

Bua Yai Gathering 2k13

As most of you know I tend to host numerous gatherings/parties/competitions every year and just because I am in Thailand shouldn't change that. So after some preparation the weekend finally came with a great but dangerous text from the three lads who said they could come a day earlier. In a way it was like saying here is a million Euro but it will cost you a few days of your life, a willing price to pay for such entertainment.

The lads arrived and we wasted no time getting right on it! Discovering the official 8ft beer pong table was a serious result. It took awhile but I finally got back to some sort of form! Roll backs were played with a Derby match intensity involving gate jumping and cat like reflexes! Dinner in Cat Country, Beers in Pink Panther and some other place I can't remember, bumped into some random students who have yet to say anything! Blackout!

Saturday kicked off with the 4 lads in bed watching the Inbetweeners film followed by some delicious wraps in Tony's and Chewees restaurant. Some beer pong before the first two groups arrived at the same time which saved me making an extra trip out to get them. Next up was Sarah and the last group came really late. Fair play to everyone for making a serious effort to get to my place, hopefully many of you will be nearer next semester.

Beer pong kicked off heavily coupled with the usual tour bant. Jack kindly got me some lunch that in truth was only fit for a farm animal. It was up there with one of the worst things I have tasted or smelt!! Won pretty much all the beer pong games I played which meant some sort of redemption for losing many months ago to two of the lads.

All 14-16 of us went for some dinner and drinks in Cat Country! It was late and we pretty much took the place over with lots of Karaoke kicking off! The owners are very nice in there and didn't seem to mind the horrendous singing!! Next up Pink Panther which was a quieter affair! A fuzzy yet insightful chat with one of the girls followed by some drinking game. At this point I was well past "know the one that's too many"!!

Somehow on the way home a lot of people got split up and lost so I walked and got some of them but than not wanting to walk again I took the bike. That wont be happening again. Memory is severely restricted from this point onwards but I know I was stressed and at one point thought one of the girls was having a fit that stopped after a fart!! Some more beer pong and than I presume I went to bed with the others. Tried to watch some news at 6am only to be put firmly in my place by one of the girls!

Gradually people departed on Sunday which had a weekend highlight, the two lads, myself and the two girls were decked out around downstairs and I can only describe the conversation as hilarious, frank and carried signs of psychologically disturbed people!! I walked them out and the place went from 16 people to 1! I think people in general had a good time and were pleased with the house and outside area. The clean up was nowhere near as bad as back home but it did take awhile! Found a pair of boxers in the pond!

To top the whole weekend off my neighbour pops over to see if I'm still alive and before I know it I'm on the porch having a large beer, eating homemade chips and a burger from KFC (2 hours away)!! Serious result!

Lessons were learnt this weekend, tour has its limits and my house/town is capable of hosting a gathering/party. There will definitely be another one in semester two with less injuries.

Khao Yai National Park - The first Thai Trek

So after much talk of going to the national park we finally arranged the trip. I decided not to meet the crew for a pre-national park night out in Korat because I wanted to save some money and be fresh as a daisy for the park tour. This back-fired in horrendous fashion when I went for a drink with a co-teacher and her Thai boyfriend who I met numerous times and is a good guy. One thing led to another and before I knew it I woke up to my phone ringing!! I was three hours behind schedule and missed meeting a friend in Korat (2hrs away).......MAJOR RUSH as the last bus is at 9.40am to Korat. In a heep, forgot loads of items but not the most important thing, BEAR GRYLLS adventure shirt!!

- Meet crew at Korat, there in the same boat and two members aren't even awake yet! Arrive at hostel. Bustin and I are in a different hotel near the others (what a great decision that was!). Got abuse for shirt and buff!

- Despite being the organiser I was the last to get on the truck!! Randomly stop to see a small snake. Seen, held and eaten so that was boring! Went into a cave, held a creature related to the Scorpion family! More driving. Saw millions of bats exit from the top of a cave. Impressive. Went swimming in a natural spring/pond and held a millipede. Felt weird. Held its back and felt the strength of it trying to pull away.

- Plank Off. After weeks of training for the plank off against an English man who on paper should destroy me it was time in our hungover states to plank off for 2,000 Baht (50 euro). My top time was 12mins 50secs. I really just wanted to beat that. I knew the English lad took the bet too lightly and grossly underestimated me. That coupled with no one really giving me a chance got under my skin a little and made me want it more. Like why would I make a bet for that much if I didn't think I could win!! I was in a bad way after the 4th minute, worse then in training and the English man was solid as a rock favouring to focus instead of my approach of looking around and engaging with those watching. The self-elected referee was extremely bias and was trying to rattle me by imposing warnings which weren't agreed upon and were arbitrary at best. Video evidence vindicates any suggested wrong doing. At the 10th minute there was some desperation but I held out to take the win! Well needed money!

- Food, drink, crazy/strange Karaoke bar! Mags flip flops end up in ditch. The Monk wrestles Claire and I decide to have a few over to my hotel for a wee swim..........WELL!!

- Next morning. Problem. Complaints about swim. Apologised. 20mins into tour and driver says we have to go back and talk to both hotels and the family who rented the private pool that we were in!. Put up a SIGN. Thai family refuse to pay bill. Contract between both hotels in jeopardy, Bustin and I asked to leave, Mountain out of a mole hill. So much hassle because six people for a maximum of 30 mins unknowingly went for a swim in a private pool while the owners looked at us with out protest. When we realised the situation we got out. Thai family saw an opportunity not to pay and that's what caused the whole problem. If everyone decided not to pay due to some unhappiness with a hotel or its guests than no hotel would be in business, absolute jokers! I'll keep the towel, thanks!

- Finally we got trekking, great to be back at it! Some people fell, the river crossing was fun, assisted some of the girls, climbed a few rocks with Craig and was about to jump off them into the base of the waterfall having got the lads to ask the guide but just before I did it they shouted over not to as the guide says there is rocks, those jokers didn't even ask the first time!! Lucky..yes. The best part was when it started to rain heavily, it made it more of a wee adventure. Nice chats. Saw two waterfalls, one of which was in the Beach and the other had 198 steps down to it. Obviously nothing close to the volcano trail hikes or Peru but still enjoyable.

- Dinner, wine, nice chat with Kaye, Karaoke, stomach rub, bed. Monday while on route home I decided out of nowhere to bail off the bus, not even a goodbye, nice pizza! Good weekend and some proper tourist activities

Bangkok - Irish Reunion

When Alan said he would be in Bangkok over the weekend it was a no brainer to meet up with a guy I've seen twice over the last three years since he has been teaching in South Korea. Friday eventually came and off I went once again on a 6 hour crazy van ride were the drivers must be trying to beat their previous time! Crash in these paper transportation vehicles and your dead. Decked my self out at the back as it wasn't busy.

Landed in BBK and to save time got a motorbike taxi, always an experience, I just wish they would consider that my legs stick out more than theirs so those tight gaps you and I wouldn't attempt are much tighter for me! Landed, changed, Soi Cowboy.

Soi Cowboy is an elaborate display of coloured signs and even more impressive females. Although a street that is definitely worth a look it is for all intents and purposes a place for those who either can't or are too lazy to try and have sex. I didn't have much views on the whole thing but after living here it disgusts me to see old, fat men PAYING for beautiful women (on the outside that is). Even young men were proudly strutting around with the Thai girl on their arm....ya didn't earn it......its not real!! To balance this it is COMPLETELY WRONG to assume all Thai women are prostitutes or money grabbers. Anyone who lives here knows Thai people, real Thai people are the complete opposite to what those other women are. As usual it is the few that have tainted the perception of women in this country, especially Thai women with western men, many cases are genuine, don't have such a closed mind.

So that got serious now for the fun stuff;

- We hit a few bars and ended up in a club called Insanity, solid.

- Next day was Jerry's Tour day, mastered the transportation system, saw the impressive Wat Arun and Wat Pho (a very large golden Buddha lying down). For dinner we decided to have some of Thailand's finest steak at Chok Chai restaurant. I got an aged T-bone, touch over done but lovely considering my normal diet of rice or noodles with chicken or pork!! Went to Nest rooftop bar, Londoner, sports bar, Irish bar and some other club!

- I was fine the next day and decided to hit one of the worlds largest open markets, Chatuchuk with 15,000 stalls!! Its unbelievable how expansive it is and very easy to get disorientated. Picked up some fake beats, belt, 9 pairs of socks, 2 adventure buffs and a kebab! After this I somehow had the energy to go to Siam Paragon and Terminal 21 malls. Both impressive in there own right! Quick sushi lunch!

- We had a quick swim and headed out for an Indian at some celebrity restaurant followed by a trip to Lebua tower. At the top is the worlds highest open rooftop bar, Sky bar where the Hangover 2 shot some scenes. The view was very impressive as was the decor of the tower. After a cocktail and numerous attempts to get good pictures amongst the crowds we left. A few more bars and we strolled home but not before a drink at one of those pop up street bars with garden deck chairs. They are literally beside main roads! Played connect four for 100 Baht, took the win, bought another Malibu and orange!

- Monday, I hit the MBK mall in search of a phone battery and I needed to get the phone unlocked. I have never seen so many phones in one place, how they make any money with so much competition is impressive! Made the van with seconds to spare and off I went back to Buayai!

- It was great to see Alan and we certainly had some good chats. He returns home after three years of teaching and it will be interesting to see how he handles getting back to the Irish way of things!

This weekend trip has totally changed my opinion of Bangkok and really makes Dublin look so so small and behind. There is so much to do once your willing to get out on to the streets, use the trains, read the guide book and ask questions!!