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Excursion Experiences

Ayutthaya

Saturday morning,12th day of January, at exactly 8:00 a.m. we left the dormitory since it was our free day, together with our Filipino friends Marian Dacara, Eve Pural and Hermes Privaldos from Universidad de Santa Isabel; Cicha Yumaika and Jaka Warman from UNP Indonesia; and our buddies Earn and her friends. We took a van to go to Ayutthaya Floating Market. But before that, we visited the temple first and took a picture whenever we felt it was the best to have the shot. We were so happy back then, because it was our first time to see the temple of Buddha in Thailand. It adds more excitement to our trip. We had our lunch in the Robinsons mall, at Chesters. After which, we made our way to Ayutthaya through “toktok”. Our buddies took in charge of talking to the driver or when we were in the mall. They helped us when we need to buy food or pay. When we were inside of the floating market, we witness the show. Afterwards, we immediately went inside of the stall to look for some souvenirs. We spent almost two hours choosing and buying souvenirs. When we finished going around the place, we decided to head back home. We bought our food at the Robinsons mall and went straight home. At exactly 8:15 p.m, we arrived at the dormitory. We thanked our buddies and bid goodbyes. We took our dinner and after washing the dishes, we drifted into sleep since it was a long day for us.

Amphawa Floating Market

The VRU made sure to give us a break on Saturday, so on 19th day of January, at 7:00 a.m. we gathered in front of the Family Mart together with other students who were assigned in other schools as well as the faculty and staff. Our buddies and mentors were present. We waited for others and at 8:00 a.m. we drove to Amphawa Floating Market, one of the tourist spot in Thailand through a bus. We spent almost 2 hours for the trip. When we arrived, Ms. Nina, the coordinator gave us a reminder not to go somewhere else by ourselves. We took a picture and went straight inside the museum and we made sure to remove our shoes as part of Thai tradition.

I was amazed on how beautiful the sculptures were. It even looked like it was real. We continue to explore each room which contain historical events while taking pictures and videos. When we finished, we decided to take our lunch in the Amphawa Floating Market. Once done, Aj. Neung accompanied us to visit five known temples in Amphawa. We split into groups so I and Femie together with Filipino friends from USI, Marian Dacara, Eve Pural, Hermes Privalos; Jean Roxane Malate and Catherine Luzon from USANT; and Al Janree Bayucot from USJ-R went with AJ. Neung while others went to somewhere with their mentor and buddies. We really enjoyed the whole trip and visit. We shared laughter, fun and excitement all throughout the activity. We started to scream and shout as the boat moves with speed. Of course, a hobby of taking and keeping memories through picture will never be forgotten. Aj. Neung would randomly gave us drinks or food for free and we gladly accept it. There were many sophisticated statues of Buddha and other structures that caught our attention. We admired the scenery and the lifestyle of the people there.

Miss Nina had given us instructions that we should gather near the Museum at exactly 3:00 p.m., so we made our way there before the said time. Once all arrived already, we went inside the bus, we left the place with a content smile. We were feeling exhausted because all our energy was poured on to the trip. Along the way, others felt asleep. The school bus had made sure to dropped by us to our assigned school. It was already passed 9:00 p.m. when we arrived at the dormitory. After taking our dinner we immediately go to bed. That was one of the most memorable experience I had in Thailand.

Chatuchak, Bangkok

Since it was Saturday,26th day of January, and this was already our third week stay in VRU, we decided to go to Bangkok and explore the beauty of the city. I and Femie from UIC and our friends from USI Marian, Eve and Hermes together with the two Filipino teachers who are teaching for 4 years in Thailand as well two of our buddies joined us. At 8:00 a.m in the morning, we took songthaew going to Bang Pa In Train station. We met the Filipino teachers there and waited for the train to come. At exactly 9:25, the train came and we all made our way inside. We spent 2 hours going to Bangkok. It was already time for lunch when we arrived in Bangkok, so we immediately find a place to eat. We ate inside the mall, KFC while others in the food court. We all gathered after we took our lunch and decided to go to Chatuchak, the famous shopping market.

We split into groups and decided to meet at 4:00 in the afternoon. We wasted no time as we made our way to different shop looking and choosing the best and cheapest souvenirs. Once done, we looked for some food and drink, then go directly to our meeting place. We left the place once everyone had already arrived and waited the bus. We need to take another ride going straight to VRU, so we dropped at the future park as we thank and bid goodbye to the Filipino teachers who accompanied us. We waited the van for few minutes and the ride was 30 minutes going back to our dormitory and it was already 7 in the evening when we arrived. We also thank the buddies who come with us on the trip. We had our dinner after a short talk and drifted to sleep. Surely, it was another experience and a piece of story to tell.

Ayutthaya

It was Friday, 1st day of February, we didn’t know that the Demonstration school through the leadership of Mr. Adam would take all of us from the dormitory to Ayutthaya floating as a free trip so that we could buy souvenirs for our loved ones, before we go back to our respected country.

Prior to that, we already informed Ms. Nina of our scheduled flight on February 02, so in the morning at 9 a.m. she gave us the certificate and souvenirs at the Faculty of Education with Ms. Thanaporn. We took pictures and talked for a moment. We thanked them for accommodating us well and for accepting us in VRU. We bid goodbyes and shared content smiles. I and Femie were so happy that finally we will be going back home.

With the buddies and staff of VRU, we went to Ayutthaya at 11:00 in the morning because we took almost an hour in wearing the traditional but elegant-looking suit. Ploy, our English intern buddy and her companion helped us on how to put it on.

We all gathered inside the van and drove for almost an hour. They immediately brought us to the temples and of course, we took pictures of every places we visit. Pia, our English buddy, went with me and Femie in the temple. Once done, we waited for the others on our meeting place. When they all arrived, we decided to start looking for some souvenirs and food. The Indonesian students bought many items while we just watched because we already had those. At exactly 2:00 p.m. we arrived at the VRU Demonstration School. We went straight to the room where Mr. Adam, Mr. Bob, the VRU President’s wife and other guests were talking and eating.

Before we had our lunch, they taught us how to prepare Somtan, one of their best and spicy salad. Afterwards, we eat the prepared food, noodles and green curry. They even gave us donut. When everybody was finished, we gave them thanks and bid goodbyes. Femie and I immediately submit our compiled journals and other requirement papers such as the evaluation form, copy of the lesson plan, Sea Teacher profile, reflection with attached photos of the activities we attended.

It was already 4:30 in the afternoon when we came back to the dormitory. Today was special because we will be having a dinner together with all the delegates in the dormitory. We bought our food in the family mart and the night market at 7:00 in the evening. At 9:00, we had our dinner together. This was one of the moment I would really miss. We talked, laugh and shout together. We were making every hour more memorable. After we eat, we had a game called “truth or dare”. It was full of laughter, teasing moment, some of us were trying to pry on one’s secrets and about our lovelife. Since we will be leaving on the next day, we decided to choreograph a dance titled “switch it up” and a Filipino hip hop song ”Chambi”. The dorm was filled up with laughter and fun. We took funny videos and pictures while doing the dance. Everyone was making it more memorable. Instead of going to bed, they decide to talk about life and their past experiences. While I excused myself to pack my things up. We shared cries and hugs all throughout the night. We were so overwhelmed that we forgot to sleep. All we did was to write a letter while others are already asleep. When everything was ready and we were about to leave, we put all the letters outside of their rooms with their names and our message to each one of them. We both left with a content smile and best memories we could ever had in life.