On Thursday, my second graders and I went on a field trip to Pattaya. We visited the Million Years Stone Park, where we saw million year old petrified wood, impressive bonsai trees, intricately carved boulders, and a crocodile show that had my students unnerved, on the edge of their seats. Promptly after we left the park we were shuttled to our second field trip, The Miniature Thai Royal Barge. This new performance and culture center displays a miniature model of the famous Royal Barge Procession, but behind glass that reflects prisms made from rainbow-colored LED lights. This moving procession of iridescent ships mimics the rare, extravagant and supremely significant Thai tradition in which the royal family and 2,000 oarsman occupy 52 barges and float down the Chao Praya River in Bangkok. Their destination is Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn, where they present monks with gifts and offerings of clothing. During the reign of the current King Bhumibol Adulyadej, spanning over 60 years, the Procession has only occurred 16 times. We had the fortune of witnessing the most recent procession only 10 days ago.
Waiting for the bus.
Onpreya, the seeya.
My fellow second grade teachers and Fry. Teacher Teet, my co-teacher, is in the middle in green.
Every kid stands in their seats or in the aisle, straining to see the movie.
Sitting and volume control are not requirements on the bus.
Three lovelies.
Me and Nest, the best.
Before the crocodile show.
We arrive at the park full of energy and donned in hats to block the sun.
80 Baht = $2.40. My lunch = 15 Baht. Sorry crocs, no chicken for you.
Nest, Papitchaya, Chorlada, and Napat creeping in the back.
The dorkiest kid in the grade.
Fry and friends.
The performers said a Buddhist prayer before confronting the crocodiles.
These faces were more entertaining than the show.
Tempting fate.
Stricken with fear and highly impressed.
Teenage crocs.
Papitchaya and Baimon.
Second graders from 2/1 and 2/3.
The Miniature Thai Royal Procession.
I like his style.
The display was simple, but captivating.
Field trip face.
Second grade rules!
Love fudge.
No cooties here.
Joc Cousteau 
Amazing pics from the field trip, Joc! Love the one of all the terrified faces of the kids when they were watching the crocodile show…btw that’s just like that youtube video where that guy is sticking his arm in the croc mouth and the croc snaps his mouth shut on the guy’s arm then does a death roll..crazy!
Send me the link?
Your pics are awesome and so are you,loveGram ,.
I love these kids!
you’re becoming such a cute little asian girl.
😉
I love seeing and learning about Thailand through your eyes! Happy Thanksgiving Jos – we miss you! Do you have an address yet?