Time off in Bangkok

The group of long-term instructors traveled to Bangkok, Thailand for a couple days in order to renew our visas.  We got a chance to go on a dinner boat cruise, see some sights and visit some markets while exploring this fascinating city.

The cruise went by some of the well known sites a long the water front.

In addition to the food and the sights there was some good entertainment provided.

We ran into some familiar faces

The traffic was very heavy like in other big cities.  In Bangkok the motorcycles always get places quicker because they move to the front at traffic lights (and go on the sidewalks at times).

We usually walked, took a taxi or went by commuter train.

Another local form of transportation we used was the Tut Tut.

Markets were all over and many streets were lined with stands selling all sorts of things.

One time, I ran across a Muay Thai training gym.

There were quite a few small shrines set up on corners.  One time, I saw a dancing group from one of the train walk ways.

One form of transportation I didn't try, but was close to the hotel, was the river taxi.

Last week in KK

The last week of the surge was my last week in east Malaysia.  This week we are traveling to Bangkok, Thailand so that we can renew our visas when we return.  I was sad to leave my students behind, but I look forward to new experiences on the west side.  I had a great time on Sunday before leaving KK, having the chance to go to church for the first time in two months.

The focus of the week's class was on building character and personal responsibility through P.E. and activity.  This gave the students a chance to develop sample lesson plans and role play components of a class using the new methods. 

The students arranged to get pink class shirts.  Luckily my size was not available in pink.

Off Week in KK

During the week off between the two surge classes, Lian, JD and I moved into a two-month rental condo closer to the city center.  We had a chance to visit one of the islands on the weekend, where a group went scuba diving and we were invited to visited three local schools that our students taught at.  At Bestah's school we helped with the basketball team for two days.  I did the condition segments and JD did the motivational talks.

At Noren and Justine's school, I taught a lecture on sports nutrition to a upper level sports science class and JD delivered a motivational talk.

Our hosts Noren and Justine

At Rita's school we instructed over 100 students in Volleyball and dynamic warm-ups.

We also had some time for fun as we visited an island, spent time at the One Borneo Mall, and played some futsal.  At the mall we saw some movies, went bowling a couple times, played some games and even shot some arrows at an archery range.

Visit to the island.