G6-7 Week Without Walls 2015

Trips & Expeditions

By: Grade 7 Students (English LL)

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onday was a great start for our Week Without Walls journey. We took a bus from school to Don Mueng Airport. After a 40-minute flight, we bused to Sukhothai Treasure Resort and Spa. After unpacking, we ate at the fabulous buffet and then finished the day with free time of games and even a yoga class.

The following morning was rainy, so we changed our schedule. Instead of biking at the Sukhothai Historical Park, we rode the covered trams around the park and took pictures of all the ruins. We learned about the kings and their influence over the people of Sukhothai. After a quick tour, we went to the Sukhothai Historical Museum where we learned about the history of Sukhothai, artifacts of the time period, weaponry, and decorations used by the Sukhothai people.

Once the rain stopped and we explored the museum to the fullest, we packed our bags and headed back to the park for our bike ride. We strapped on our helmets, gathered up our bikes, divided into our groups and off we peddled. It was fun to hop off the bikes at each of the six stations to get a closer look at the ruins and take selfies! The first station was the monument of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great.

Built in 1971, this monument displayed the king sitting on the Managkhasila Asana throne with the Sword of Victory by his side. The second station was Wat Sasri, and station three was Wat Trapang Ngern meaning temple of the silver pond. The fourth stop was Wat Sri Sawai, a temple constructed with Hinduism influence. Next, we stopped at Wat Maha Thart, which was the most important temple of Sukhothai. Our last stop was Nern Prasart where we stood on the remains of the royal palace. The bike ride was easy, flat, and very educational‌but hot!

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Trips & Expeditions

Later that night, we divided into two groups so we could enjoy Thai games as well as Ms. Phoebe’s sewing class. We had a choice of making pouches for our cell phones, pockets for jewelry, covers for water bottles, or items of our choice. The Thai department set up games related to the historical museum and park sites which tested our knowledge on Sukhothai’s uprising, including culture, architecture, language and more. We even learned how to tie a necktie!

On day three, it was off to the Organic Farm where the scent of nature was in the air. After our morning snack and a brief history of the farm, we divided into groups and were trucked to various activities. We visited the duck pen where we gathered eggs in baskets after the ducks rushed off to the water, we rode the buffalo (in place), ventured around the organic herb garden tasting various herbs, and finally ended up in the wet, fertile MUD to plant rice.

After a short lesson on proper planting techniques, we took off our shoes and waded into the thick mud.

Squelching under our weight, the wet soil clung to our legs and sucked us in making it difficult to move. After prying ourselves from the thick pond, we washed off, changed clothes, and headed off to lunch with happy thoughts of buffalos, rice fields, and mud spas. Lunch was fabulous and we even made our own dessert of Gluay Buad Chee, Khao Greab Pak More, and Bua Loy. With full bellies, we moseyed over to the Krathong making station where everyone showed skill in making the perfect krathong for the night’s ceremony.

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Trips & Expeditions

That night we dressed in our fancy Thai outfits and headed back to the park for our Loy Krathong ceremony and dinner. Many of the krathongs actually floated and took worries away; some ended up like submarines. Dinner on the lawn by the lake was delicious and the evening ended with entertainment by Thai dancers. After a long day, we headed back to the hotel for some needed rest.

Day four was a crafty day. We had another tour of some temples, where we raced for every piece of shade we could find. We then went to the Bann Ruen Thai culture center to learn how to weave rugs, make bamboo reed fish mobiles, and paint our own ceramic cups. The teachers at the mobile station were patient yet skilled as they wove their fish with TURBO speed. We weren’t quite as skillful at this new craft. As for the pottery, we can’t wait to see how each cup turned out once fired and delivered back to school. Afterward, a morning of crafts, and as usual, lunch was spectacular.

That night was the awaited Talent Show. We practiced three times before the show, so we knew each act wouldn’t be perfect, but were excited to perform in front of our friends. Each act showcased the performers’ talents of acting, dancing and singing. Students not only entertained the audience, but also enjoyed themselves on stage. Most acts used their team name in some fashion. For example, Jungle Chickens’ comedy skit and creative dance, Mountain Dew’s dance battle act, and Dr. Salt’s singing were all hilarious. After a successful night of shows, all the students laughed and danced along with the teachers during our spontaneous disco. Students said they were amazed by their teachers’ cool dance moves.

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On the final morning before heading back to Bangkok, prizes were awarded for the talent show, Thai games, and the overall winning team. First place for the Talent Show went to MLG Mountain Dew, the winner of the Thai games was Unknown Allicorn, and the overall winning team for this year’s WWW 22 was Jungle Chickens. What a great trip this was, and we were all so thankful to the teachers for helping us enjoy it to the fullest. We can’t wait for next year.