Snoryaking

Yesterday, we tried to rent a longtail boat to take us out to Koh Boo, a small island where there is supposed to be good snorkeling. Unfortunately, the longtails apparently do not run in this season... we were left with two options:
1. quit like quitters
2. epic kayak & snorkeling adventure
Obviously we chose the 2nd one. However, the sea is a cruel mistress, and is not always kind to green sailors out on their maiden voyages... Unfortunately Shane's and my water camera filled up with water the other day (we are not pleased, and are sending angry emails) so we weren't able to take any pictures. Here is the next best thing...

 This is us, after we rented our 2 kayaks and 1 stand-up paddle board. Shane is on the right with the stand-up paddle board (looks like a GIANT surfboard), Nick is in the middle, and I am on the left with curly hair.

 We fought past the break and began to paddle intrepidly out to sea.Shane is kneeling on the stand-up paddle board because every time he tried to stand up he would fall backwards into the water.

 A rogue wave broke, much further out past the usual breaking point! It sent my kayak smashing sideways into Nick's. This was our first taste of the cruel ocean's power...

 We arrived at Boo Island, this was exciting, which is why we are all smiling with our hands waving in the air. Finding somewhere to put the boats was a bit tricky, as you can see the coast of the island is jagged rocks with strong waves.

 We checked out the mooring buoys around the island, luckily they had ropes attached. When we left shore it probably would have been helpful for there to have been rope in the kayaks, but there wasn't. Nick tied an epic knot to keep the boats safe. This is about the point where the rocking of the sea began to make me super-seasick. You can tell because my face is green.

 We snorkeled, the fish and coral in this picture are not to scale. We saw all kinds of neat fish, including some puffer fish which we'd never seen before! Unfortunately, getting in the water did not cure my seasickness as it usually does... my face is still green.

 The seasickness became too much, I sprawled on the paddle board, cursing the sea... Nick and Shane kept snorkeling.

 After a while, we paddled back to shore. It was a long paddle under the burning equatorial sun. When we reached the wave break Nick and I both thought (independently of each other) "A kayak is a lot like a surfboard. If I just catch one of these waves, I will glide smoothly into shore."

 A kayak is not all that much like a surfboard. We are not surfers. Therefore Nick and I both (independently of each other) got flipped over and dumped into the water, along with everything in the kayaks that wasn't tied down. Note to self, next time bring own rope... to tie things with, as the things that weren't tied down were-everything. We spent some time searching for all the things that had tipped out of the kayaks, but luckily the sea was on our side this time and we found everything.

 We were exhausted. We all sat on the beach for a bit before dragging the kayaks back to the rental place. You can see that my face is not green any more, this is because after my near-death experience as my kayak flipped over in the waves, and after returning to shore, my stomach immediately felt better. I also forgot to draw my hair in this one, but you can imagine that it is just slicked back with the water. We drove home and had a nap. A great day overall!

Driving

When we first arrived we said "we'll never do that". Now we brave Thailand's roads on a daily basis, along with numerous people, dogs, vendors and the occasional buffalo. It is not like driving in Canada. Here is an illustration of the average 7 minute ride to school. The bits in red are the things that happen.

Pug on a Motorbike

A regular occurrence here in Thailand, for your viewing pleasure here is a pug on a motorbike. We have seen much bigger dogs sitting in this same fashion, but not managed to snap a photo. Not much to say about this one, except enjoy!

Shane Gets Another New Surfboard

Shane has purchased a new surfboard... so, we now have Betty:

 And Sheila

I figure that this grants me explicit permission to buy all kinds of things, seeing as this is an equal partnership, for example:

• 1 pony, roughly the size of 2 surfboards (also both can be ridden)

• 67 pairs of shoes costing 200 baht, plus one pair at 100 baht
• 134 -100baht watches
• 2 dogs (to be redeemed at any point I deem appropriate)

Any other suggestions are welcomed. Also if you want one of these pairs of shoes, I don't think they'll all fit in the luggage home.

In other news, Shane's brother is arriving in Phuket on Wednesday! We are SO EXCITED for his visit, we can't wait to show him all the craziness that Thailand has to offer!

Also, here are some gratuitous cute shots of dogs from the soi dog shelter on Friday. This week Shane came to meet the dogs, and of course take some pictures. 

Soi Dog Love

Soi dogs are street dogs here in Thailand. The smaller streets that branch of the bigger roads are called "sois" hence the name given to the dogs.

Although Thailand is full of dogs, they don't usually look like the kind of dogs you want to pet. Coming from a dog-filled home and being a dog-lover, I have been really feeling the lack of dog-love in my life. I found out about a great organization called the Soi Dog Foundation here in Phuket, and I have been volunteering with them on one of my days off each week; walking, scratching bellies and just spending time with the dogs. Here are some photos of the little critters, so that you guys can share this warm fuzzy feeling!

PS Like most charitable organizations, the Soi Dog Foundation is in need of donations. If you have been looking for a charity that needs your help, consider donating to these sweet dogs.

Shane accidentally, maybe goes to a house of ill repute

Since arriving in Thailand, Shane has become a big fan of Thai Massage. Being tall isn't all about reaching things on the high shelves, it is sometimes hard on your body. Massage here is totally cheap and great for the body, and there are a lot of really wonderful, legitimate massage places. There are also some massage places where you can opt for a wider range of services.

After a long day surfing, Shane's neck was feeling a little sore. As he often does, he set of to find a Thai masseuse. It should be noted that this would be the first massage had here in Phuket, and therefore we don't have a place we regularly go. After looking around our local area, he walked into a place that seemed pretty legitimate... but now we're not so sure.

The Shady Details:
1. After changing into the usual massage outfit (basically pyjamas) he was led into a private room... usually the massage areas are separated only by a curtain.
2. Things seemed a little less professional (and traditional) than usual, for instance, the masseuse was wearing what might be termed a provocative outfit (by Thai, not Western standards) rather than the traditional garb that is usually worn.
3. There was a TV in the massage room, which the masseuse watched the entire time.
4. At the end of the massage, the masseuse suggested that Shane have a 30 min. nap, and then she would come back and finish the massage. This is not normal... where was she going? Why was she coming back?

At this point, Shane said a polite kup-kuhn-krap (thank-you) and got the hell out of there, checking to make sure nobody we knew was out on the street.
We need your help, ladies and gentlemen. Please join us in voting for whether or not Shane almost received some of the wider range of services mentioned above. The poll is located near the top of the blog, you unfortunately have to have a google account to vote...

Teaching Challenges

I debated whether or not to post this as we have tried to post the brighter side of things here in Thailand, but there are always bumps along the way, such as my recent teaching evaluation at our new workplace. It was humiliating, I mean who wants to be told after 5 years training to be a teacher that you really aren't that good... but at least you dress very professionally and smile a lot. It especially hurts when I know I go out there every day and try my best.

I suppose most of the conflict comes from the fact that my idea of a "good" education and a "good" teacher are not quite simpatico with the ideas here. The appearance of things is extremely highly valued, so how you look really is at least 50% of how you are perceived as a teacher. Along the same vein having kids show things that they know in a concrete way is held in high regard, so the "repeat after me" style reigns... whereas my biggest achievement would be to get my kids to start sounding out words (something much less glamorous to demonstrate).

Luckily, I have a fabulous support system out there who have reminded me that there are people who feel the same way I do about education. Rather than raising a toast to all these fine folks, I feel like I should engage in some discovery learning... perhaps I will go fill up the sink and see what sinks and floats? xoxo