On Thursday, May 10, 2012, The United States Government released its first ever official travel and tourism strategy.

Mount Rushmore

Roger Dow, president and CEO of the US Travel Association, had this to say:

“Today, the Obama Administration announced its National Travel and Tourism Strategy. This important step officially elevates the travel industry to what it should be: a national priority. It also recognizes the industry for its fundamental contribution to our economy, national security and public diplomacy.

“The National Strategy sets a goal of increasing U.S. jobs by attracting and welcoming 100 million international visitors annually by the end of 2021. This is no small effort, but the opportunity for economic growth and new jobs is too great. The travel industry stands ready to work with the Administration in achieving this goal.

“I commend Secretaries Bryson and Salazar for their leadership in preparing the National Strategy. This effort required extensive government-wide coordination and broad outreach to the private sector in a short amount of time.

“America has always been a nation of travelers, and there’s nothing we love more than showing off our beautiful country to people from around the globe. As we move out of the recession, the wheels of the travel industry have not stopped turning. Since the job recovery began, our industry has created more than 250,000 new jobs – nearly 50,000 this year alone – which far outpaces gains in the rest of the economy or by other industries. In total, travel supports more than 14.4 million American jobs and contributes $1.9 trillion to our economy. As our nation works to close our trade deficit, travel exports have been booming. Travel exports totaled a record $152 billion in 2011, and the travel industry is now the number one contributor to our balance of trade.

“Today’s announcement couldn’t come at a better time. This week marks the 29th annual National Travel and Tourism Week – a week when local communities across the country are coming together in support of the travel industry and the millions of hardworking men and women it employs. As the National Strategy is implemented and the U.S. sees an increase in the amount of international visitors, those local communities will experience more jobs, economic growth and additional revenue.”

Obviously, here at LanguageCorps, we spend most of our time focused on Teaching English Abroad.  So it’s interesting to contemplate what this strategy means for an industry like ours!  With the Obama administration looking to increase national tourism numbers to 100 million visitors annually, it is likely that we will see an increase in the demand for English teachers abroad even further.  Many people contemplating a visit to the US will be interested in acquiring (even very basic) english skills, and we look forward to continuing to service that demand with some of the most highly qualified, motivated ESL teachers in the industry!

Regardless the effect on the TESOL industry though, it is nice to see the Obama administration inserting travel into the forefront of the United States effort to refuel it’s economy.  Here at LanguageCorps we believe that travel is one of the most effective ways to increase your overall enjoyment of life, and so whether it’s in the US or abroad, it’s great to see travel getting the recognition it deserves!

Jessica is currently Teaching English in Chile, and was kind enough to send us some photos and words about her recent trip to summit of Volcán Villarrica in Pucón.  Just another example of the sorts of adventures people find themselves embarking on while teaching English abroad!

If you have any stories/photos/etc that you’d like to share with us, shoot an email to Steve.Patton(AT)LanguageCorps.com.

By Jessica Fryman

ESL teacher in Santiago, Chile

I booked a one-ticket to Santiago, Chile, and moved half way across the world to Teach English As A Foreign Language. I did it for the life experience and the adventure more than anything, so when I heard climbing an active volcano was the “thing to do” in southern Chile, I added it to my wish list of places to visit. I crossed it off my list in February. The hike was incredibly hard, but also totally worth it.

Volcan Villarrica Chile

Here are my Top 3 reasons I think you should climb an active volcano, too:

1. Complete Two Week’s Worth of Exercise in Just 4 Hours

Climbing a volcano, a steep snowy hillside, is no joke. In South America, they deem the trek fit for beginners, but I’m convinced that’d never be the case in the States.

For Volcán Villarrica in Pucón, Chile, the ascent requires full snow gear, including an ice pick and boots with crampons. It takes 3 to 4 hours to reach the summit.

It’s definitely a work out, one that’s at least two weeks worth of exercise. And that’s a good thing, considering it might take you that long to recover!

2. Witness a Spectacular View

I’ve hiked to the top of the rapid Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica, swam with dozens of tortoises on the beaches of Hawaii and toured the Mayan pyramids of Chichén Itzá in Mexico. I’ve jumped off boulders into the (very cold) ever-blue waters of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and watched the sun rise over the top of the giant Andes mountains. I know beauty.

The Summit at Volcan Villarrica

Even still, standing on the top of an active volcano — the view was like nothing I had ever seen before. Staring down into the crater, lava spit up in loud bursts of crackling pops with clouds of smoky sulfuric gas. The sight in a 360 turn on Volcán Villarrica’s peak: lush green hills that rolled on for miles, mountain ranges, lakes and other volcanoes. It seemed like I could see the whole world, looking down from the tippy-top. It was incredible.

3. Experience a Once-in-a-Lifetime Accomplishment

For me, the best part of hiking to the summit is easy to define. While the view was unbelievable, the sense of accomplishment that rushed over me when I reached the top was what made everything worth it.

The climb tested my strength, both physically and mentally. There were plenty of times I thought I would never survive hiking to the peak, but I didn’t give up. The challenge made the success all the sweeter.

I think travel and adventure is just as much about discovering yourself as it is about learning of other people and cultures. Ascending an active volcano was not only a lesson in trekking through the great outdoors, but also through life. The hike tested my limits, but reminded that you can’t taste the full experience if you give up halfway. Whether its climbing to the top of an active volcano or embarking on some other crazy feat — take risks to experience the thrill of a new adventure, and you’ll be sure to learn something new along the way.

To read more about my climb to the top of Volcán Villarrica in Pucón, Chile, or discover my other adventures while teaching English in Latin America, check out my blog: www.jessicafryman.com.

I’m pleased to present today the third and final installment of Chris Johnson’s photo journal, ”Memoirs of A Traveling Teacher.”  Chris was a winner of the LanguageCorps Southeast Asia media contest a couple years ago, and his fascinating photos and journals are a great example of how much is possible while Teaching English Abroad.

Have any stories or photos you want to share?  Email Steve.Patton(AT)languagecorps.com

Motorcycle Tour Through Vietnam – Central Highlands, Vietnam

Motorcylce tour through Vietnam - Central Highlands

During our summer break from teaching English abroad we took a 2 week trip to Vietnam. One of the highlights was a 3 day motorcycle trip through the central highlands of Vietnam.

The Dalat Easyriders are an unofficial group of Vietnamese tour guides that drive large, antique motorcycles through Southern Vietnam. We had the pleasure of hiring 2 guides to take us on a 3 day trip from Dalat to Saigon by way of the central highlands.

In this photo you get a bit of a glimpse of what the trip was like.

Central Highlands, Vietnam

Motorcycle Layback – Central Highlands, Vietnam

Laying back on a motorcycle while touring Vietnam

The motorcycles were quite comfortable for the passengers.

Here, I lay back on my overstuffed backpack which acts as a nice pillow.

Central Highlands, Vietnam

Rice Paper Out to Dry – South Vietnam

Rice Paper out to Dry in South Vietnam

On our motorcycle trip we made frequent stops at local villages to see how the people of South Vietnam make a living. One family spends their days making rice paper for food.

Here, the rice paper is laid out along the front of the house to dry in the Vietnamese sun.

Somewhere in South Vietnam

Sapa Hill Tribe – Sapa, Vietnam

The Sapa Hill Tribe in Vietnam

In addition to exploring the south we also explored the north of Vietnam. In particular we traveled to the small mountain town of Sapa. While here we explored waterfalls, rolling hills, and fields of rice paddies. While off exploring rice fields we ran into this local who was carrying her goods from her smaller village into town. The road that she is walking is extremely steep and we had a hard time navigating down it safely. Here, the hill tribe woman floats up the hill with no problem!

Sapa, Vietnam

Relaxing on a Junk Boat – Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam

Relaxing on a Junk Boat in Vietnam

From the mountains to the beach! After Sapa we traveled to the Ha Long Bay region of Vietnam where we discovered a sea of limestone islands erupting out of the water. On one particularly beautiful day we rented a traditional Junk Boat to take us out into Lan Ha Bay, just off the coast of Cat Ba island. We spent the day sun bathing on the roof of the boat as well as riding off in kayaks in search of untouched private beaches!

Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam

Rooftop Thunder Storm – Bangkok, Thailand

Lightning storm in Bangkok

When it rains in Bangkok it TRULY rains. One of my favorite parts of our apartment complex was the covered roof deck that gave a stunning view of Bangkok skyline. The best way to view the Bangkok Skyline is at night when the lights of the city illuminate under the smog to produce an almost surreal feeling. Add in a thunder storm and you will truly experience the magic that is the Bangkok night skyline.

For this photo I used a quick shutter to capture lighting striking on the Bangkok skyline during a thunder storm. I’ve been trying to capture a lighting photo for a while and I’m very pleased with how this one came out!

Loy Krathong – Lumpini Park, Bangkok, Thailand

Every year thousands of Bangkok residents flock to the various rivers, lakes, and ponds of the city for the annual Loy Krathong festival. During this festival you are to float small boats made of banana leaves, flowers, incense sticks, and candles along with a small coin in a body of water whether its the Chao Phraya River, or simply a small neighborhood pond. Floating the boat in the water is supposed to bring you good fortune and luck.

Here, we pose with our boats in Lumpini Park before lighting our candles and sending them off to sail.

Lumpini Park, Bangkok, Thailand

Loy Krathong - Lumpini Park, Bangkok, Thailand

April 13^th-15^th marked the annual Songkran Festival in Thailand.  How did you celebrate!?

Commonly referred to as the water festival, Songkran marks the Thai New Year, and is one of the biggest celebrations of the year throughout the country.  Many people take to the streets with water guns, balloons, or just plain old buckets, in order to drench passerbys with water.  Traditionally thought to cleanse the mind, body and spirit, and wash away bad luck, you might consider yourself fortunate if you find yourself getting drenched with water during the Songkran festival!  Fortunately, this is typically the hottest time of year in Thailand, so a light soaking might come as a nice relief!

Songkran-Festival-Thailand

To everyone Teaching English in Thailand right now, we hope you had a fun and safe Songkran!

Sofia Rasmussen

Today we present a guest post from Sofia Rasmussen about what technology and the internet means for TEFL.  It’s a very well written, thought provoking article…thanks to Sofia for the submission!  Click “continue reading” for the article.

The ready availability of Internet access has led to many advancements in education, perhaps none as profound as those related to language opportunities. Online, the whole world really can be the classroom.  Students can read and react to foreign language media, can chat in real time with native speakers, and may even have the opportunity to interact with language students abroad. In the United States, technology has had particularly profound effects on Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) programs. Teachers at all levels have seen profound results by integrating web lessons and mobile technology into their curriculums.

Online TEFL - The New Frontier?

In many respects, English is the number one language of the Internet. And to be fair, English speakers have aggressively developed the Internet. From offering the best PhD online <http://onlinephd.org/> to allowing complete freedom of virtual speech, English speakers often have full access to what the world wide web has to offer. This is often not the case in many places where English is not predominant. 

This means the vast majority of resources and sites are geared to an English-speaking audience, which means that TEFL coordinators do not have to look far for activities to aid student development. As the Internet becomes a more and more essential part of American and Western society generally, there is an argument that basic web literacy should be a  cornerstone for English language development. Students who have an understanding of English language communications online are often better equipped to integrate into English-speaking cultures—one of the primary goals of most TEFL programs.

One of the most obvious applications of the Internet into the TEFL classroom is through interactive grammar, vocabulary, and reading drills. The Internet offers a wealth of different games and applications that teachers can use to help students grasp nuances of the English language. These sorts of programs make learning fun for students, and can also be more efficient when it comes to tracking student progress. Many programs allow education to transcend the classroom, as well. “Activities, such as listening labs, crossword puzzles, and quizzes can be used by learners in their free time,” asserts the Loyola Community Listening Center <http://www.luc.edu/literacy/sites.shtml> . “Internet-based Listening Labs can also be useful with learners who are not immersed in English on a regular basis. Learners can use the Internet as a supplemental tool for use both inside and outside of the classroom.”

Thanks to ever-evolving technological advancement, it is often possible for TEFL instructors to design programs that students can quite literally carry in their pockets. Apps for smartphones and tablet computers can bring language learning to most any setting. The Boston University Center for English Language <http://www.bu.edu/celop/comp/ipad-apps.html> and Orientation Programs recommends a number of iPad apps for precisely these purposes. Some, like the “TOEFL Master Vocab Guide,” are designed specifically for individual drilling; others, like “Pocket English ESL” have a number of different features, and can be viewed almost as independent courses.

The interactivity of the internet also means that language learning no longer has to be a primarily independent journey. Students from all corners of the globe can come together in TEFL chat rooms or can “meet” thanks to videoconferencing tools. Students can thus practice their conversation and learn from a wide range of speakers, no matter where they are located or how often their official class meets. TEFL instructors can collaborate to provide real-time feedback to students on everything from pronunciation to idiom usage in a way that is non-intimidating and casual, but still instructive.  LanguageCorps new Online TEFL Certification program is a prime example.

While the possibilities are exciting, TEFL instructors should also be aware of students’ potential hesitation to jump into technology-based learning, two TEFL instructors warn in a paper published in the Internet Teaching English as a Second Language Journal <http://iteslj.org/Articles/Kannan-OnlineESL.html> . “There were a range of computer abilities among the learners, but the majority of students had little or no experience,” Jayna Kannan and Cynthia Macknish, wrote of their model class. In many cases, students were hesitant to engage in online activities, at least at first. “The initial apprehension was probably due to fear of the unknown. This was understandable considering that the majority of the students had little or no experience using computers. It is possible that the students felt that the [online] component would be an additional burden to their workload,” the instructors said. Over time, however, all students were able to use—and often even enjoy—the internet aspects to their course.

Each year brings more students to TEFL courses in all parts of the world. New advancements in Internet tools and language-based technologies emerge just as fast; merging the two has never been easier or more effective, and in many cases, the results can truly last a lifetime. 

Jingyang is a LanguageCorps alum from Singapore that spent the better part of a year Teaching English in Thailand.  You might have read Part One of his blog, which does an excellent job of describing his experience Teaching English Abroad from start to finish.  From the TESOL training and job placement process to culture shock upon return home, it’s all here.  The ups, the downs, and in the end, a great story!  

Click “continue reading” for part two of his blog!

When I started teaching English in Thailand, I had no problems breaking the ice and building rapport with the students because I possessed a myriad of entertaining skills (such as beatboxing, singing Thai songs, performing gymnastics, cracking jokes and playing educational games learnt from my teacher-training course). It also helped that I had learnt conversational Thai and could thus carry out simple translations of my lessons’ content to the students. However, as time passed, some students took advantage of my amicability, while others got bored of the games I played with them. As the students became restless, I lost my patience a couple of times and became more of a disciplinarian.

Figure 2: Writer teaching in one of the Primary 5 Classes

Perhaps my favorite part of Teaching English in Thailand was the students’ spontaneous amicability and show of kindness for the teacher outside the classroom. Many of those who did not listen during class and who were frequently reprimanded by me proved to be the friendliest bunch. They would often come to hug me after class and chat with me using Thai language, scattered with a handful of inaccurate phrases in English. Whenever I was outside school exercising or cycling to buy groceries, my students would also greet me loudly with wide smiles when they spotted me.

During my stint, there was a 3-day Buddhist Camp for the Primary 5 students. While some enjoyed the camp, others suffered home-sickness, reminiscent of my primary school days. A final ceremony capped off Buddhist Camp where the students had to kneel down and show appreciation to their teachers. The students seemed to have been enlightened after the teachings and it was a touching moment when I received this humble act of gratitude by each and one of them.

 Figure 4: Student offering his religious appreciation to the writer as his teacher

Another memorable occasion arose when the English Department had to organise an English Camp for the students. My main task was to write the camp’s theme song and choreograph a couple of dance moves to go along with it. I borrowed a tune from one of the most popular songs in Thailand last year and inserted English lyrics. There was this sense of achievement during the English Camp seeing everyone (students and even teachers) singing and dancing delightfully to the song I wrote!

Nation-wide Events

My only chance to vote for the first time in Singapore last year was substituted with a localised experience observing an election in Thailand heating up, unfolding, and concluding with the appointment of its first female Prime Minister.

Before the flood situation captured international media attention in Bangkok, the north of the country suffered as well. Tak Province was not spared either, though the area around my apartment was not adversely affected because it was some distance away from the river. Nevertheless, I witnessed the terrible effects of the flood in Tak City. One of the food stalls which I frequented was almost completely submerged by the high water level. In addition, the houses and huts along the river were inundated; only their roofs could be seen!

Figure 6: A hut located just next to the Ping River submerged, only its roof to be seen

Farewells

I made a decision during October 2011 to cut short my work-life stint in Thailand due to family commitments back home. It was a difficult one to make because I wanted to continue building on what I had achieved so far.

Figure 9: Departing times with students, who received farewell gifts (fabric paintings penned with well-wishes) from the writer

Before departing in mid-November 2011, I was fortunate to enjoy another major festival in Thailand— the Loi Kratong Festival (the ‘Festival of Lights’). Tak City was known to be the place where the most scenic celebrations took place and the festival marked a beautiful end to my journey.

Loi Kratong Festival Thailand

Figure 10: Festive celebrations during Loi Kratong Festival in Tak City: photo shows beautiful lightings which outlined the image of the present King of Thailand

The 8.5 months spent overseas have been my longest time away from Singapore. Naturally, I experienced some challenges when I returned. After all the newness and stimulation of my time abroad, a return to family, friends and old routines (however nice and comforting) seemed dull to me. I also had trouble explaining all the sights I saw and feelings I had while abroad. It was difficult to convey my experience to people who do not have similar frames of reference or travel background.

Afterthoughts

To cover my entire journey in this article would not be possible, but I hope to have shared some of my uniquely-explicable moments. If there was one reason in penning this account, it would be to help others to understand how personally-special dreams can be. And the route to achieving them need not always be materially-driven, scaling the ladder and reaching for the sky. I went the other direction.

Riding against the wave of modernity, I took on a job teaching English in Thailand, which paid me one-fifth of what I used to earn, but ensured a simple and comfortable livelihood. Having said this, dreams are very much dictated by the individual’s current state of affairs. I would not shy away from the fact that my resolute character, singlehood and moderately-stable financial situation back home were the main impetuses that led to the conceptualisation and implementation of what I succeeded in doing. But neither would I forget that the support of my family and friends back in Singapore, and the local help I received along the way in Thailand, were also the key factors that saw me through this fruitful period of my life.

Today I am Pleased to Introduce a Guest Post from Jessica, a graduate of LanguageCorps TEFL Course in Florence, Italy!  Check it out for some insight into the four week TEFL training course that is the starting point for Teaching English in Italy!

Five Things I Learned During TEFL training in Florence, Italy

When they say it’s an intensive course, they mean it.

Four weeks, 120 hours, making lesson plans, studying grammar, writing papers, doing research– it was a lot! But on graduation day, it made receiving that TEFL certificate just that much sweeter.

Graduation Dinner!

A classmate receiving her TEFL certificate at graduation!

A long day of practice teaching and grammar work can be easily brightened by a chocolate festival.

The Chocolate Festival in Florence, Italy

During our third week of the course, Florence held its annual chocolate festival, and it was right outside the doors of our school in La Piazza Della Repubblica. Need I say more?

There are a TON of different reasons why someone may need to learn English.

For example, a high school student trying to go to college in the US. Or a businessman who needs to speak with international clients. Maybe a doctor who wants to be able to give a presentation at a seminar in Australia. Each student has different goals and needs, which is great for us ESL teachers, because it means there is a big demand for English lessons!

There’s demand for ESL teachers all over the world, even back at home!

There are some countries that need teachers so badly that English schools will pay for a teacher’s apartment, living expenses AND throw in a salary! This also means that getting a TEFL certificate is a great way to be able to work almost anywhere in the world.

In Italy, it’s completely acceptable to enjoy a nice glass of Chianti while studying for your grammar final exam.

The Italians have a great outlook on life– they enjoy every bite they eat, every drink they sip, and each day that they have on earth. So even though we were working hard on our TEFL certification course, we made sure we did it “the Italian way”.

Piazzale Michaelangelo

At Piazzale Michaelangelo, Florence, Italy

Pretty much all of us know what a gap year is.  The fresh faced, wide eyed 20 something graduates from college, isn’t quite ready to settle down into a career, and heads off on a whirlwind adventure, with nothing but a plane ticket, a backpack and a thirst for experience.

But Teaching English Abroad, and meaningful travel in general isn’t just for 20 somethings.  The concept of a career break is becoming more and more acceptable in Western culture.  And with good reason.  Employers and employees alike are realizing that taking an extended vacation can not only be good for the soul, but it can make us more productive too.

So if you’ve thought about leaving it all behind and traveling the world, it just might be more feasible than you’ve ever imagined.

Why You Should Take A Career Break 

Should've Taught English Abroad

1. Life Is Short

If you’ve spent 10 years working full time, that’s roughly 20,000 hours!  20,000 hours staring at a computer screen, or making phone calls, or working hard at whatever it is that you do.  We value hard work as much as anyone, but let’s be serious.  You deserve a break!  When you look back on your life, will you regret not spending more time at the office?

Sunset in Mexico

2. It will Help Your Career, Not Hurt It

In the US, we are in the midst of one of the toughest job markets in our nations history.  With experienced job seekers applying for work that is usually reserved for entry level candidates, diversifying your resume is not just a good idea, it’s a necessity.  Spending time teaching abroad is a great way to showcase your adaptability, willingness to try new things, international experience, leadership skills and coolness under pressure.  It will give you something interesting to talk about in your next job interview.  Stop worrying about a gap in your resume, and use a career break to your advantage!

3. It Makes Sense

What sounds more reasonable?  Working fifty hour weeks during the best years of your life and differing your bucket list until age sixty five, or taking periodic mini retirements throughout your career, enjoying the things that you want to enjoy along the way?

I would argue that the later makes more sense, and there is a growing community of people throughout the world that agree.  Google mini-retirement.  The results can be very inspiring.

4. Never Stop Learning

I don’t believe in the phrase “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”  Learning new things is one of the greatest privileges of being human.  Take advantage of it!  Teaching English Abroad provides innumerable opportunities to learn new things about yourself and the world, not to mention the new set of skills you will acquire by teaching English to speakers of other languages.  You will return to your daily life and your career more confident, with a stronger array of leadership and decision making skills.

Students in Thailand

5. You’re Stuck in a Rut

Bungee Jumping in Thailand

And you may not even know it!  But spending some time away from the day to day, living immersed in a different culture, has a way of opening us up to new ideas.  Perhaps your current career seems just fine, but you might quickly realize that it’s not what you are meant to be doing.  Traveling is a great way to gain a fresh prospective, and perhaps you will find out what your purpose REALLY is.

6. You Can!

Traveling is easier now than ever!  Maybe you felt like you didn’t have the time or money to see the world when you were fresh out of college.  Loans, relationships, plans, and a host of other details tend to get in the way.  But things are different now.  You’re a little more secure, you know a little bit more about life and yourself, and you have more resources at your disposal than ever!

Don’t think you can travel with your family?  Think again!  We’ve had many couples Teach English Abroad together.  It can be an excellent way to strengthen any relationship, and living abroad can be the perfect opportunity to begin widening your child’s view of the world.

7. Be Happy

Teaching English Abroad, or traveling in general, is not for everybody.  It takes some mental dexterity.  Be prepared for things to take longer than you’re used to.  Be prepared to live simply.

But, if you feel like you need something different, even if you’re not quite sure what, extended travel could very well be the answer. There is never going to be the perfect time.  There is always going to be an excuse not to, but sometimes you just have to ignore that little voice in your head and take action!  Teaching English Abroad is the perfect launch pad for a new adventure.  You will return to your daily life refreshed and with a new sense of gratitude.  Or who knows!?  You might just want to live abroad forever.

Today, I am happy to bring to you the second part of Chris Johnson’s photo series, taken in 2009 while he was Teaching English in Thailand.  We received a lot of positive responses about the first series, so enjoy.  They are some great photos!

Thaiwand Wall, Railey Peninsula – Krabi, Thailand

Over another holiday we took a trip to the south of Thailand to see what the beaches of Krabi, Thailand held for us. Krabi turned out to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. It is a special place for me as it is home to some of the best limestone rock climbing in the world.

Limestone cliffs of stalactites, tufas, and pockets line the stretch of the Railey peninsula in Krabi. In this photo, we hiked 40 minutes from our beach bungalows through the hills to the top of Thaiwand Wall which overlooks the Railey Peninsula. In this photo you can see both Tonsai beach (to the left) and Railey West beach (to the right).

Krabi, Thailand

Tales of Power, Phra Nang Beach – Krabi, Thailand

Of course my favorite part of traveling to Krabi (and the reason why I made 3 return visits) is the quality of the rock climbing.

In this photo, beach goers look on as a make an ascent of Tales of Power, 7a, on Phra Nang beach. The climbing here is powerful and overhung, which is exactly my style!

Krabi, Thailand

Rock Climbing in Krabi, Thailand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leap of Faith – Krabi Thailand

The limestone cliffs of Thailand aren’t just for climbing. In this photo I take a leap of faith off of a 40 foot cliff into the sea below.

Phra Nang Beach, Krabi, Thailand

Cliff Jumping in Krabi, Thailand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Railey Sunset – Krabi, Thailand

In addition to boasting some of the most exciting day time activities, Krabi also offers one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Railey West beach is often referred to as “Sunset Beach” and for good reason. After a long day of rock climbing and cliff diving we relax with a cocktail and watch the sunset.

Railey West Beach, Krabi, Thailand

Railey West Beach in Krabi, Thailand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wind Turbine Discovery – Sikku, Thailand

One of my favorite parts of living in a foreign country is exploring the less traveled countryside. On one long weekend, a group of friends and I rented a car and drove out in search of the fabled boulder fields of Sikku, Thailand, about 2.5 hours northeast of Bangkok. On the way we sighted this beauty of a wind turbine. With all of the hustle, bustle, and pollution of Bangkok, it was nice to be out in the country and see a safe, practical attempt at energy conservation.

Somewhere near Sikku, Thailand.

Discovery of a wind turbine in Sikku, Thailand

Granite Beach Boulder Heaven – Koh Tao, Thailand

On yet another holiday from teaching English we took a week long vacation to the island of Koh Tao in southern Thailand. Koh Tao is particularly interesting as it is littered with thousands of granite boulders. This is of particular interest as most of Thailand is limestone. In addition to being graced with boulders on the shore, the ocean floor is also littered with these babies which makes Koh Tao one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in the world.

However, as I am a rock climber, my draw was of course to climb the boulders! Good Time Adventures, an adventure shop located on the tourist end of the island offers crash pad rentals, guiding service, and information on the best climbing areas Koh Tao has to offer. After pointing me in the right direction I found plenty of beautiful places to climb.

Koh Tao, Thailand

Granite Beach Boulder Heaven - Koh Tao, Thailand

Margaret Ulrich is a freelance writer living in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  Along with teaching English abroad through LanguageCorps, pool hopping, and fried tarantula eating, she records her not-so-mundane life on her blog awkwardamericantraveler.wordpress.com.

Planning a vacation while living abroad

With my time teaching English abroad coming to a close, and my departure flight for the US booked, I looked around my dear little city of Phnom Penh and realized I needed a vacation before heading back to the chaos-free streets of my homeland.

But…

I found that planning a vacation while living abroad was a bit trickier than I expected.

Raise your hand if you’ve had that same issue. Come on, raise them high. Yeah, it’s frustrating. We’ve all been there, waiting in line for the 10:30 am bus, it’s already 11:15, you’ve checked your watch a dozen times, and you know you won’t make your connecting bus at the border if you don’t leave now!

I can’t help you much there, other than to say you probably should have taken the 7 am to be on the safe side —I know it’s hard with a hangover—but I can give some tips from my trip to help you on your next vacation to a full moon party or something less, well, crazy.

1. Make a budget

Minibus to cross border

It’s impossible to find bus/plane tickets, guesthouses, places to eat, or things to do when you don’t have a clue about how much you want to can spend.

Once you’ve got your magic number you can factor in:

-Modes of transportation i.e. bus, train, plane, mule

-Crossing borders

-Cost of visa if you need it—be sure to find that out in advance because                                      some countries (Vietnam) require you to have it before arrival

-How many nights do you want to stay?

-Type of trip—active outdoors, beach lounging, city traipsing, artistic tour, etc.

2. Finding the perfect crash-pad

The Bungalow we stayed in for $34/night.

Now that you know where you’re going, you’ll need to find a place to rest your head at night. This can be especially difficult in developing countries because the majority of places don’t have websites. There are plenty of travel websites, though, to help you with price, ratings, and availability.

Tripadvisor

Lonelyplanet guide

iPad ap for trips

My friend and I found an ecolodge in Kep that had great reviews on Tripadvisor and, after our stay, we definitely agreed. The price was within our budget—it included breakfast, which was great—and we had excellent service the entire week.

3. Research activities in the area

Waiting at The Bus Station

Sometimes when you find the perfect place in a town with a famous waterfall, that waterfall might be the only thing to do there. If that’s the case, your five-day vacation plan might be a bit on the lengthy side.

Check out towns nearby and whether or not they’re accessible for day trips or if you’ll need to book another hotel in advance. If you haven’t chucked your lonelyplanet guide yet, it sometimes seems pointless when you live somewhere to keep it, then thumb through that to get some ideas for activities.

It’s easy to settle into life as an expat and lose that exhilarating desire to travel, but don’t forget about why you made the move in the first place. Be adventurous, take a vacation, and hopefully this guide will make it headache free.