Preparing for Departure

Twelve students and two faculty members will depart for Thailand on May 22, with the goal of exploring economic development, learning about SE Asia, and immersing in the culture. The group will moveRead more
Delicious eats!

We arrived in Bangkok and it is busy and crowded. Our hostel is small and cute and it is perfectly located for dinner at the night market. Thais eat many times a day, and markets are open late. ThereRead more
The Grand Palace

Our first stop today was the palace, and you can see how amazing the workmanship is. The king does not spend much time in the royal palace, we are told.
Flower and vegetable markets

These markets are very exciting to see, with people in action. The colors are so vivid and the produce so fresh. The flower market is open 24 hours a day.
Chinatown

Out last stop today was in Chinatown. There are vendors selling everything from rubber ducks to stickers to wigs.
Like the locals do it

Today was a day of local transportation, including the sky train and the river taxis. Bangkok is built around a large river, and that was the primary form of transport years ago. Now, canals have beenRead more
Visiting the temples

We visited some stunning temples today. This is the reclining Buddha, and you see Matt depositing coins into monk bowls to bring us good luck.
Salt farming

We have left Bangkok heading west. Along the way, we stopped at a salt farm, where salt for eating and salt for skin scrubs is sold. We purchased scrubbing salts and we will but the other ingredientsRead more
Palm sugar plantation

This area is known for palm sugar production. The sugar comes from the plant’s flower. It can be boiled and turned into very sweet candy.
Floating market

The floating market is one of the highlights. This particular market became known after it appeared in a James Bond movie. While it is now geared to tourists, you can look past that to see what lifeRead more
Omg I forgot the monkeys

Yesterday I forgot to post about the monkeys. They are eating the shellfish, so we feed them bananas to fill them up (protect the shellfish beds). This activity is restricted to foreigners only toRead more
No sleeping on the job, Annette!

My fantastic colleague, professor Annette Rosado, relaxes while I wash mud off of students. Hmmm.
Cockle harvest time

Students learned how to use a board to skim across the mud during low tide. But then they just started playing in the mud.
Fishing village

We visited a fishing community to learn about oyster farming. Here you see part of the village...about 15 minutes by boat to the oysters. Baby oysters are cemented to cables where they will grow. ButRead more
Amphawa market

One of the famous night markets is Amphawa market. Even though it was drizzling, it was nice to walk around this area. Here the locals sit on the steps or on boat restaurants and enjoy Thai dishes.Read more
And a monkey video...

Craziness! And monkeys can swim so you have to keep them from getting on the boat!
Erewan waterfall

The morning was spent at this beautiful park. And we enjoyed swimming in the emerald green water. One spot has a natural slide that the students enjoyed. Thai families come for the day to picnic.
Burmese elephant camp

We visited a Burmese elephant camp and had a great time feeding and riding the elephants. The students actually studied Burma in our class, so it is interesting for them to meet the Burmese staff.
Our boys are great

Heavy rain caused a tree to fall across the road. So what happened? Our three guys and our drivers got out and chopped it up, and moved it!
Rafting the Kwai Noi river

We took a break from the heat as we rafted and swam in the river.
The death railway

Students studied the history of WW2 and the building of the Thai-Burma railway... POWs worked to death as the build the impossible. We were able to ride one of the remaining parts.
The floating hotel

Tonight we are staying on a floating hotel that is very cool. Everyone else here is Thai, so we will get to mingle with locals. I think they are setting up for karaoke...lol. Earl and Matt said theyRead more
Happy birthday Tea

Three of twelve students will celebrate their birthdays while in Thailand. Today was Tea’s birthday!
And yeah, we karaoked with Thais

This is why we study abroad

Our students stayed up late talking to the workers who are from Burma (Karen tribe), with the help of Google translate. They shared stories of fleeing under gunfire. This is why we study abroad. WhatRead more