Friday was our last day at the school in Ang Thong and it was surprisingly quite a sad day. The night before, our host family gave us a send off party complete with a feast of all the Thai dishes we had really liked during the week and traditional Thai music played by the relatives of the family. Gifts were exchanged, the girls receive nice bracelets from the temple in Ayuthaya and I was given a multipurpose sarong (as demonstrated by Surin - it felt a little like a buff advert ha). A fantastic and memorable time was had by all. At school the following day we taught Kindergarten for the last time, well I say taught, we just let them do whatever they wanted (reading books, singing old mcdonald, climbing all over teachers). After lunch we attended a school assembly where the director gave us certificates as volunteer teachers, more
lovely gifts (I got another sarong and one of the loudest tropical shirts I've ever laid eyes upon) and the pupils lined up and said thank you and good-bye to us. Each and every 170 of them which included an assortment of their traditional bow, my high five, handshakes and hugs, lots and lots of hugs. It was a touching and proud moment. Despite the seldom frustrations and tedium, it was all worth it. Unforgettable.
Later that day we were then transferred to Bangkok for the night. After being completely submerged in the 'country way of life' in Ang Thong, I felt like Crocodile Dundee when he goes to New York, bewildered by the bedlam of this insane city. Bangkok is bonkers. Really really bonkers. So first meal by ourselves for the first time in 10 days and what do we have? Well it had to be Pizza Hut obviously. Don't get me wrong, I love thai food but after over a week of it - including rice or chicken knuckle soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner - suffice it to say it played havoc with my weak, inferior British stomach. With dodgy unstable guts I was looking forward to some cheesy carb overload so gorged myself on a large deep pan meat feast with mozzarella sticks and a large Pepsi. Bliss.
By bus, ferry and what appeared to be nothing more than driftwood, we were finally on this idyllic paradise of an island. No mucking about, I was straight into my room (temporarily stood to appreciate the towel swans and lotus flowers made my the housekeeper), whipped on my swing shorts and ran to the water, much like the Hoff and just as sexy.... Evening came and so did the drinks - a heady mix of dry martinis, Chang beer and caipirinhas - while we watched young fire twirlers and people whipping up the freshest of fresh fish dishes. Again, bliss.
Today I plan to do sweet F A and work on this sorry excuse of a tan. Maybe catch a crab or play with nemo. Right, must dash now, time to get seconds! Much love and that!
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