Phuket2009

PHUKET, KOH PHI PHI and KRABI 2009

2004 / 2007 / 2008 / 2009 / 2010

The road to Phuket

Day One 28/2/2009

As with most Kanlayanee English Camps, it was an early morning start. It was at around 5am that all the students and staff started to meet up in the grounds of Kanlayanee School. The coach was waiting outside so once all of the students going on the trip had been accounted for, we boarded the coach and started our 3 day camp to Phangnga, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Krabi. Some of the teachers were driving there own cars and we would meet up with them in Phangnga. Meanwhile on our coach we had Ajarn Mayuree, Ajarn Gege and Ajarn Ryan who made sure that we had fun with songs and games as we traveled down the highway towards Phangnga. We arrived in Phangnga Park at around 10:30 am and started our 'Pirate' game. We had to run around the park and get clues for our 'big' game which was going to be held in Phuket later on in the day.

A map of Phangnga Park Students on their Treasure Hunt

One of the M1 students ... sorry no, it's a monkey! We're not tired!

After we had finished our Treasure Hunt we're given some food and then time to relax. Soon though, it was time to get back on the coaches and continue our journey to Patong Beach on Phuket Island. Traveling through the countryside was very good for us because most of us had never been to Phuket before so as we rounded every corner we saw something new.

Before too long we were crossing the Sarasin Bridge, the link between Phuket and Phangnga and once we had crossed, we knew we were on PhuketIsland. It took nearly another hour of driving before we actually reached Patong Beach due to the steep hills that have to be crossed to get there. Once we were there we got off the coach and Ajarn Thomas gave us all the information we needed to continue with our Pirate Camp. From where we were we had to make our way south along Patong Beach doing different things along the way until we reached the final checkpoint, the viewpoint at the top of a 'small' hill on the southern end of the beach. We all set off and on the way had to do activities such as interview western tourists, have our pictures taken or write about something we had to pass. That was the easy bit! It was a very hot day and we got to the end of the beach feeling hot and a little tired ... we thought that was it but it wasn't! We still had to climb the hill and it was long and very very steep. Still we made it and Ajarn Geordie who was waiting at the top - (I think he had driven his car!) - for us. He gave us all a soft drink as we were very hot and tired.

The view from the viewpoint The first group to the top!

We made it! We then had time there to get our breath back and take photos before having to run down again to join our coach for the next leg of our camp. The next leg of our camp was to Phuket Fantasea, a big Thai cultural extravaganza situated on the next big beach to the north, Kamala Beach. We all went in walked around and had a wonderful time watching all of the different shows. There were elephant shows, Thai dancing shows and many many more. When Phuket Fantasea finished, we walked around for a little while before boarding the coach that was to take us back to our accommodation for the night. By the time we got to sleep that night we were all very very tired. Good night!

Day Two 1/3/2009

It was up nice and early for us all today as we were going to Koh PhiPhi, a famous island about 2 hours in a boat west of Phuket. There are two main islands to Phi Phi, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lay. Anyway, once we were up we had our breakfasts and then boarded the coach for the short trip to Rassada Pier which is where we were getting our boat from.

Nice and comfortable aboard our boat taking us to Koh Phi Phi

Our boat took us to Maya Bay, the location for the hit movie 'The Beach' starring Leonardo D'Caprino where we were allowed to go snorkeling and look at the colorful fish that thrive in the area. Some of us swam to a nearby beach while others were content just to gaze at the variety of fish swimming around (See photo album for pictures). Once we had spent some time here, we got underway again and headed for the main tourist area of Koh Phi Phi for our lunch and also to give us an opportunity to look around. We soon arrived and it was very interesting for all of us as we had never been to Koh PhiPhi before. Ajarn Geordie, Ajarn Thomas, Ajarn Gege and Ajarn Mayuree had been before but that was before the devastating tsunami of December 2004. They were saying that the place had changed beyond recognition but to us, who had never been before it was very nice and the waters were crystal clear. After spending time in, on and around koh Phi Phi we all met up on the pier to catch the boat back to Phuket and from there back to our accommodation.

Koh PhiPhi

When we arrived back at our accommodation we were given some free time before our suppers. After supper we knew that we had to 'perform' our shows for the 'Campfire' so most of our spare time was taken up practicing.

Our shows went well, we even had a KNEP Boy and Girl competition judged by Ajarn Chungtan, Ajarn Mark and Ajarn Ryan which everybody seemed to enjoy.

Judges and competitors in the KNEP Phuket Campfire Competition

Day Three 2/3/2009

Another early morning for this, the last day of our camp. We all woke, showered and went down for breakfast. After our breakfast we put all our bags onto the coach for the journey home. It would not be a direct journey as we were first going to call in at Wat Chalong, one of the most famous temples in Phuket and also we would later be stopping off at Hat Nopparat, a beautiful beach just outside Krabi.

Wat Chalong in Phukert

After leaving Wat Chalong we called in at the Phuket National Museum and then drove to Hat Nopparat where we were to meet up with the Principal as he wanted to see how we had enjoyed the camp. On the beach at Hat Nopparat we played some games, had a little competition, had lunch and were awarded with our certificates by the principal himself. Tired as we all were, we boarded the coach for the last time and we set off back towards Nakhonsithammarat and our own beds.

Thank you very much Kanlayanee English Program :)

Photo Album HERE