The pool at our hotel

Popcorn & drinks

Now Showing

It us raining buckets.... Sooooo, we are going to see the very Thai movie "Harry Potter." the gang is very excited!

Kho Tao

Today has been a lot of traveling. Last night we took the train, then a bus and ferry in the morning. Now we're at Koh Pha-ngan. The scenery is like heaven and the bungalos we're staying in are adorable. Everyone has been exhausted from so much traveling recently, so it's just been chilling and relaxing at the beach. We have two nights to stay here and then it's time for the next island. There's kyaks and soccer on the beach, and some sea lice.. But the water is so refreshing and everyone's having a lot of fun. Keep updated!:]

-Ariana

Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, yeah...

Hi all! I have been taking loads of fotos on my phone, sending back to the C&E office and then Sarah Powers has been posting them. Sadly, I did not have my handy-dandy phone gadget with me when we were with the elephants, but we have lots-o-great-pictures to show when we get home.

Where are we now? On an island. Yes, life is rough. We will get through it The group has been in the ocean for hours. We have beachfront huts! Yes, even more pity for us.

The group has been getting along great. Relatively little issues for 18 teens! We are happy to be near the ocean and have some down time. We have done so much!

We have internet at the place we are staying and we will be here for two nights so stay tuned for more updates from other group members.

Highlights - Gibbons. Elephants. Thai Food. Amazing Temples. Hornbills. The People. Our Accommodations. Shopping. Our Guide.

I wish I could say more... I am too hot to be witty and poignant. Applogies!

The ocean is calling.

Randi

Wat pho - 46 meters long!

Reclining budah 46 meters long

Wat Pho

Wat Pho

We bought a tile and put our names on it

The floating market

At the Market

Insects at the market

Grand palace

Our guide, Terry

Grand palace

Wat Arun

Elephants!!!

We just got back from an amazing experience at the Elephant Nature Park and are safely back in Bangkok. At the Park we got to feed and bathe the beautiful giants up close. We also had the opportunity to meet Lek, the lady who started the entire project. Her dedication to the injured working elephants was very inspirational and we gave her an Oakland Zoo t-shirt, which she put on right away. We got to see the one day old baby elephant named Chang Yim, who was adorable!! Chang Yim walked down to the river to bathe for the first time, which we also got to witness. The rest of the elephants at the Park were awesome to meet and we listened to the horrible things they had been through before they were rescued. Overall, the elepants were incredible and the experience was unforgettable.
We took the overnight train to Bangkok, which most of us had never done before. Once we arrived, we ate breakfast and went straight to the stunning Grand Palace. The architecture, decoration, and design were jaw-dropping. There was gold and brightly colored glass covering everything! We then went across the river and visited Wat Arun or the Temple of the Dawn. It's tower was amazingly tall and adorned with broken ceramics. Although it was sweltering, it was a great day!

-Erin, Elise, Ariana

Football with local kids

Sukothai

Blake

Sukothai

Sukothai is situated between Bangkok (430kms from Bangkok) and Chiang Mai. It was the first capital of Thailand and is famous for the extensive historical ruins.

the local fare

Some of the group are being quite adventurous by trying the local fare. This quaint donut shop is located in the Bangkok train station.

Thai boxing! Eeek!!

Hornbills!!!!!

Hello! This is Ariana writing. We've just got back to Bangkok after staying at a lodge at the Khao Yai National Park. We learned about hornbills and got to go on a couple hikes infested with leeches.... Hecka cute. I think I liked the first hike more than the second though..... Lot's of bugs. But staying at the resort was cool, we saw lots of monkeys:]
Oh yeah, and the flights.. were BRUTAL. Very long. But I think the second one was easier because I slept through most of it. Siiiigning off, Ariana out!<3

Sa waat di kha! C'est Sika/Sophie. We are here, and, wow, what a flight. I really don't know if I'm ready for the flight back. It was traumatizingly long. But I do have to say the first hike at the Khao Yai National Park was definitely worth it. The views were amazing and it was inspiring to hear and learn and be led by Dr. Poonswad and her team. We learned a lot about the hornbills, particularly their plight, and the areas in which they've been forced to center around, i.e. Hueng Ka Kheng and Budo Mountain. Very cool. Somebody has new information for her campers! =) On our second hike, we also got to see and hear gibbons and their morning calls. That.was.freaking.awesome. Oh yes. And now I know why Indian Muntjac are called "Barking Deer". More information for campers!! =)
<3 Love, Sika Deer/Sophie

Hello all! It's Melinda here, and I concur with all of Sophie and Ariana's thoughts on KYNP- it was truly amazing. Hearing the wild gibbon calls was a personal dream come true, and Prof. Poonswad and her team were amazingly generous with us, and it was a once in a lifetime experience. So few people have gone to the parts of the park that we have now been to, much less with such an esteemed researcher. For the hornbill enthusiasts out there, we have now seen wild Wreathed, Great and Oriental Pied Hornbills! Next stop: Sukhothai!

We are all having a fantastic time! More info and updates to come along the way! Signing off for now!

First Thai meal for five of the teens!

Pad Thai

Here we are with our fancy schmancy leech guards on. We are getting ready to trek and see hornbills... More pics in a bit!

Safe and sound in BKK!

We are safe and sound in BKK! It is around 1:30 am and we are all bushed but excited for what awaits us! Love from all of us!

Randi

Yoda rules!

This is us at immigration in BKK

Thailand, here we come!!!

In five days, Melinda Sievert and I, Randi Meyer, will be heading to Thailand with 18 awesome teens on our annual Oakland Zoo Eco-Trip! We leave July 6th 2009 and return July 26th, 2009. Who knows what kinds of wonders await us. We will learn a lot, live a lot and love a lot!

Melinda and I will try to add pictures and information to the blog to keep you up-to-date.

I am very fortunate to get this chance to spend time with your young adults. I look forward to an experience much like the one we had in East Africa last summer – Moving, educational, creating bonds that will last a lifetime and positive, life-altering encounters.

The fact that you have chosen to send these teens on a trip of this magnitude shows your dedication and love for them. I look forward to growing up in this world with them!

Stay tuned for details from the magical and enchanting country known as Thailand! Same Hornbill time, same Hornbill station!

Randi & Melinda