Kelvin Tec Voc Thailand Trip

Thai Trippers experience richness and diversity in the Land of Smiles

After two years of preparation, 19 Kelvin students, joined by two students enrolled at Technical Vocational High School, embarked on a 9-day cultural education program in Thailand.  Under the direction of Joyce Wong (acting Principal of R.B. Russell School) and chaperoned by Michelle Sacco (Vice-Principal, Tec-Voc) and Kelvin teachers Alyson Gysel and Raymond Sokalski, the students' journey was the culmination of months of research and presentations on the sites and adventures they were to experience under the expert guidance of Tour Director Louis Sirisak Juabkwamsuk.  Highlights included:

• meeting and feeding elephants in rehabilitation at an animal rescue camp
• singing, dancing, playing sports and making friends at a village elementary school:  Ban Mae Jong Sobjang School
• visiting Buddhist and Hindu temples in locales such as caves, mountain tops and royal palaces
• learning about the cultivation and preparation of foods from coconut to rice, from bamboo to bugs
• appreciating the sacrifice of World War II Prisoners of War at the Bridge over the river Kwai
• cycling, floating, skating riding rickshaws and otherwise being active 16 hours a day over nine adventure-filled days

A hearty "Kup kun krap-kah" (Thank You) to Ms. Wong, who took on the administrative responsibilities for the program,  and to our beloved Thai Tour Director, Mr. Louis, who ensured not only that our tummies would be filled with every local tasty delicacy Thailand had to offer, but who filled our minds with thought-provoking history, and our hearts with love for the generosity and fun that also characterized the Thai students we were privileged to spend time with.