Pai Tiyao: Thailand's Safari World and Oasis Sea World

Pai Thong Tiyao (ไปท่องเที่ยว) is  the Thai translation  for "Go for a Tour" which really means going around to see places of interest like historical spots, temples, natural and man-made parks, beaches, and museums.

School days are over for the second semester and everybody was excited to see the Safari World in Minburi, Bangkok and a day's visit to the Oasis Sea World in Chanthaburi Province. Each teacher was assigned to look after a group of students during the two-day tour. The school provided us tourist buses and some foods for the activity.  Everyone couldn't wait to see what was ahead of us in those places as we were briefed during the pre-tour meeting.

At the Safari World, we enjoyed seeing a range of African and Asian animals. I took some photos to display here.

Also, at the Oasis Sea World in Chanthaburi, the children were amused at how the dolphins were treated to rewards after performing great tricks. Amazing fishes!!!

When there are children to guide and look after, its' not that easy to get off lightly. They keep on dragging us to wander around even when we were all tired and hungry!!!

  

Thaism : A Shirt Or A Tiger?

There were lots of encounters with the Thai people that made us smile, think and ponder whether  it might  be in our journey, in the market, at the neighborhood or  even  at work.

Here is one funny encounter with the garment shop sales clerk . One morning at the shop, I was looking for some shirts when the owner sensed my need.

Seller:  Haa alai laka koon? ( Miss, what are you looking for?)

Me:      Koon Pha, Nu kamlang ha sue- ah. ( Aunt, I am looking for shirts.)

The seller  was surprised and got big eyes plus her facial expression ..

Seller : Arai ka?? Sue- ah la? (What?  You’re looking for tigers??) Lol!

How could I look for a tiger in her garment shop? May be my  tone in saying “sue –ah”  sounded like the sound of “ sue-ah “ meaning tiger.

That’s the problem for us and it’s true to other foreigners ,too. Many Thai words have only one word with different sounds and meanings like;

Sue-ah (low) = mat

Sue-ah( high)= shirt

Sue-ah (falling tone)  = tiger

But how about if I say in a sentence..

The tiger with a shirt sits on a mat that needs another shirt and mat.

Twelve In A Row Part 8

At The Ticketing Counter

Wake up! Wake up! Now we’re in Victory Monument.

My droopy eyes weren‘t cooperative this time.  Koko was gentleman enough to carry my  bag and  he kept a firm hold on my arm like a grandpa and a grand daughter crossing the road.

We stopped at a food shop for a quick late lunch. Our hungry parasites couldn’t complain anymore. After a decent meal, we headed directly to the van station bound for Aranya Prathet (near Cambodia border).  Koko made the arrangement at the ticketing counter while I sat down on a long bench and cuddled my bag for more sleep.

What’s taking Koko so long? I opened my right eye and I could vision him plus four men at the counter(same group of drivers).  My hubby’s face was as red as a tomato. I knew right away they were looking for our passports again.

I felt secured when Koko came to join me and I really couldn’t win over these droopy eyes. After a short nap I felt a slight touch on my shoulder and  I could see a tall man with big muscles standing in front of me. He asked me if we weren’t Thais and I said yes. I dug out our passports and I showed him mine explaining everything in detail and before he left I told him in my unhappy tone. “Why,  don’t you remember us? We were your frequent riders for more than 6 years. We worked at Suppawit school .” The other guy at the counter asked me  back  why my husband bought a ticket not bound to our place of work. I smiled at him and told him we were dropping by Aranya Prathet because we would buy some groceries and personal needs. The 2 other guys  couldn’t control themselves and sneered at their red-faced fellow. Lol!

I know they really didn’t care about it but I just like them (all 4 men) to bear in their minds that we were now unhappy with their service and shall change ride if they do the same act again and again. This was the second time that they checked on us and besides they were not policemen or immigration officers . How about if we didn’t bring our passports  along with us? Then we couldn’t go back home? We were really not pleased this time because we’re their loyal costumers for more than 6 years. I was unhappy and I really liked to report this to their boss.  They didn’t know I have their boss contact number.

What is awaiting us?

Twelve In A Row Part 6

At The Train Station

After our appointment with the priest at Daruna Nu Kroh, we got inside the church for a silent prayer then took some photos and  left with a peaceful heart .

As usual we have to walk for a distance to the  waiting shed.  It was terribly hot! We rested a while then we heard the looong horn blasted all the way by the driver  (our reactions explained to the other  passengers we're new to this place)   announcing us passengers to be ready.  It was our new experience and what surprised us the most was the fare. We were left mouth-opened when we  discovered that the fare was only18 Baht as compared to the 300 and 400 baht the other drivers were charging us before!

We dropped Elia to her school and both of us had to find our way back to Victory Monument.From Victory to Aranya Prathet   then our beloved Wangnamyen is our travel target. Thinking about the long travel and its disadvantages ,I suggested to take a train. Koko agreed as it seemed to be the best idea.

I asked the officer about the train trip and  fare. Guess what? I was wrong . The fare was doubled and the worst is the train will be arriving at 4 pm.

We desperately took our baggage and headed to the van station bound to victory monument.

What do you think about our travel?

Twelve In A Row Part 5

The Motor bike Man

The three of us complained of foot ache due to extreme fatigue.  We had  been walking for miles and were getting to nowhere and seemed the time runs so fast.

Elia decided to call her friend to make sure we're on the right tract. We crossed the road and asked the two   guys for the station bound to Daruna Nu Kroh. They pointed left and right so this time I made sure I understood everything. I got my lesson at the Victory Monument. Do you remember?  We followed their instruction exactly without missing any point and at last we're now standing at the right place.They were of great help!

We waited for sometime but it seemed not any single  trace of pick- up as well as passengers except us in this place.  Under the bridge were parked motorcycles  and drivers enjoying their hammock tied between trees swinging back and forth. The motor cycle driver was intelligent and sensible. He offered for a ride  and his rent  but he has to have a company  to drive us since his cute motorcycle was built only for maximum of two passengers.We agreed for the payment  of 200 Baht and ( they will share) they brought us there. It was only twenty-minute ride!

Elia and I reached the place before Koko so, I gave the man the amount we agreed before we started but now  he was asking for 20 Baht additional. I didn't give any cent because we already agreed with no extra charge.

Elia and I waited for Koko and got inside to meet the priest.

Have you come across with such situation?

What's next ??

Twelve In A Row Part 4

Another Double-Dealer

We were getting late for our appointment  but we couldn’t just waste our money to another double- dealer.

We almost toured around the market when we saw another pick-up. We were  hoping he isn’t a kin of that  beguiler man.

As I was the one who can speak Thai fluently, it was then  my duty to inquire and to bargain.  Before I could complain ,the two pushed me near  the pick-up.  I hesitantly asked the man for a ride but unfortunately he was bound to another side of the globe.  Lol!  In his hope to gain more money , he  persuaded us  for a single trip of 400Baht. It would mean 800Baht for  two ways.   It seemed that  as we walked  farther the more these  double dealers wanted to milk us.

We were on the go when we heard him in his coaxing  tone ,” Ao mai nu? Mai mee rot laew na. Tur atjai pai mai tahn nad kadai na.” (Do you want to take  a ride ? There’s no available trip and you might be late in your appointment.”  I smiled and  said in my gracious humor, “ Thank you, uncle and never mind.  There’s nothing  to worry about.”( the priest  will be in the church anyway.)

Another treacherous man!

Did we make a wrong decision to turn down the offer of the first man? What shall we do? Take it or leave it?

Happy wandering  with us…….To Daruna Nu Kroh.

Twelve In A Row Part 3

The Pick-up Driver1

Early Sunday morning at six, we(Elia,Koko,Me) walked to the market to get a "Song tew" pick-up truck  to Daruna Church for an appointment with the priest.

We had been walking for a long distance but we couldn't see any "Song tew " around. Elia was happy to spot one. I presumed the man, shaving his beard with his mouth tilted infront of a tiny mirror   was the driver. "Kothot na ka, Kun loong ka, Rao ja pai Daruna Nu Kroh . Tae rao tawng nag rot tee nai dee ka?'' ( Excuse me. Uncle ,were going to Daruna Nu Kroh. Where shall we take a ride?) Uncle put down his blade and told us there weren't  any trip today since it was a Sunday.I decided to ask his car rent but it seemed to us that he over priced. He suggested for 300 Baht per trip. Quickly my brain did the calculation.

 Oh, uncle must be  taking advantage for there were no other cars available yet. We thanked him and left. After a few steps I looked back and saw him shaving. Hehehe. I'm used to dealing with people like him.

Twelve In A Row Part 2

At The Van station

Thanks God. After the confusing directions by the bystanders, we're able to locate the right place.

At the van station,the ticketing woman noticed we're not Thais so, she tried her English. "You go to RATBURI?" I was astonished by her English so, I said"Yes, we are going to Daruna school.''. The woman understood and gave us our ticket of 120 Baht  each.  My hubby paid and she gave him back his  60 Baht change. She sent us inside the van. After waiting for some passengers, the ticketing woman approached to us and asked my husband if how much change he gave her. My eyebrows met and my eyeballs began to move from left to right.Unluckily Koko  himself couldn't remember. Old Age syndrome? I butted in. I explained that Koko gave her  bills by the hundreds but wasn't sure,too if 2  or 3 bills in hundreds. She seemed to recall and she apologized and left. I discussed it with my husband but it seemed Koko couldn't rewind his memory. (proof of old age)

I got off from the van and asked the woman in my friendly tone but she just said,"sorry, sorry. Nevermind."but I couldn't be at peace if it was unsettled. I was afraid she might be repaying her boss if she did the miscalculation.We  pondered inside the van. The 60 Baht is not much to be stolen  from somebody's purse right?
We decided to gave her back the change though she was hesitant . Whether she was playing trick on us but what we wanted was a safe trip and no grudges.

We headed to Daruna-Ratchaburi and after an hour and thirty minutes ride the driver stopped by a food shop and announced to the  remaining passengers ,"Ratburi! Ratburi !" Before I had the chance to ask the man , he told us to get down the van and take the car parked in front or else it will leave and have to wait for another upcoming scheduled van. Both drivers talked with each other and I saw the latter nodded his head.  I began to worry so I went to the older man and told him we were bound  to Daruna School. He explained he couldn't take us but  instead the other driver will take us there and not to worry for the fare.Actually that's what I wanted to know. It's free! So, we had to hurry before the driver changed his mind.

We visited Elia's school.(Daruna school)

Three  Marias! (Elia,Me,Madam Delia)

At Robinson-Ratchaburi

Daruna Church

Me,Elia and the bull

Fasten your seatbelt for more stories at Daruna. Coming up next!.......

Planting Rice Is Never Fun!

Have you ever tried planting rice? Or even just going into the muddy field? How about the hungry leech ready to attack you? I know you would cross your fingers  and swear not to go into the mud. But look at this man….

"Planting rice is never fun.
Bent from morning till the set of sun.
Can not stand and can not sit.
Can not rest for a little bit.

       
     

finished at last!

        

I must say , “thank you” to the farmers for without them I don’t have this plate of rice set before me .  Every single seed of rice I eat was because of the hard work of the farmers. My plate of rice lies to their callused hands. How patient they are! They never surrendered even in times of catastrophe. Never ending  tolerance tending in the field.  Even how  sunny ,windy or rainy day it was  and even how much would mother nature bitterly  play on them, they were there  firmly standing at their own feet. I salute them. They must be the heroes for they save millions of mouths.

Reminiscing The Past

This is the Mary Immaculate Church in Chantaburi.I missed this place.

I still remember Luvy and I used to attend the morning mass  on Sundays but, since I changed my place of work I seldom attend the misa . Whenever I visited my friend’s place, we made appoint to drop by the church for a minute. It’s our pastime to sit infront of the school facing the church and of course  with the snacks and my friend’s  long stories and jokes. We talked about anything and some silly things  that just popped in  our minds till we forgot about the time.We never got bored listening to each other.  I missed my friend! I missed  you sooo much.

  

Fly Away Pigeons

I wish I have two wings  flying up above the sky

And I shall take you with me soaring high  above

 and shall land on beautiful places we wanted to see

And shall hope for our dreams to be fulfilled ………

Comtemplating………….

Fly  high!!!!!!!!!!!..Pigeons Fly to where your dreams are…….