Teaching Teachers | RATA RATA Journey | Thailand

Teaching kids, teens is not that in Thailand. Don't get me wrong it's challenging but fulfilling to know that a group of wonderers are looking up to you, taking every single word coming from your mouth, and believing that education is the key to be successful one day.



I was teaching for 8 months already in Thailand when an offer was given to me and my co-teachers to facilitate a camp. At first, we got excited as it will be held in a fancy resort. When we were told that's it's going to be teachers, sub-directors and directors of technical colleges around Bangkok, we got nervous! Preparation for our lesson plans had a tough time to make sure our students will cooperate in the class.

We are getting paid per day each time we facilitate this kind of camp. Thanks to Bangkok Oxford Learning Institute for giving us this opportunity. To Natcha (Administrator of Bangkok Oxford learning Center), you are GOLD! Thank you for the trust and we all hope to work with you very soon.

Did I just say earlier it's going to be challenging teaching teachers? NO WAY! We were all wrong! At first they were trying to make a mood that we are all old enough for an activity like this. Alas! Teaching English is crazy in Thailand but I had the most fulfilling teaching moment that time. 

They were all very attentive and participative to the point that I didn't feel I was teaching that time. We all felt we were just playing and having fun.



Seeing all these school directors smiling, standing to share their answers was so nostalgic! These crowd made my experience truly amazing. We even danced on our last day. One of the best teachers facilitated a modified African dance to fit the Thailand style of dancing.



To Theto, you are truly a treasure to everyone. We ended so many camps in or near BKK area to facilitate this kind of camp. I had fun, we had fun and mostly the teachers had soooo much fun! Truly, this experience change my perspective of teaching. Though I am not teaching right in Thailand, I will always treasure those experiences and If given a chance to teach one day I won't even think for a second to do it again.

Puerto Galera, Mindoro - Summer Fun

White Beach Puerto Galera

A perfect getaway from Manila is Puerto Galera. A place where you can enjoy the summer breeze and ease your stress for a cray night life. It's very affordable and so easy to go to this amazing place. It's like my summer routine to go here with my friends or even alone to escape from the big city. To go to Puerto Galera here are the things you need to do:

source: http://www.puertogalera.org/getting-here/

Go to any of the following bus terminals in Metro Manila:

1. Bus Terminals near the corner of Taft Avenue and Gil Puyat Avenue (formerly Buendia), Pasay City – nearest Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Domestic Airport.
2. Bus Terminal near Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.
3. Bus Terminal in EDSA corner Kamias Street, Quezon City.
4. Bus Terminal in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Ride the air-conditioned bus going straight to Batangas pier via CALABARZON Expressway. Travel time to Batangas pier will take more or less 2 hours and the fare is less than 200 pesos.

Upon arrival in Batangas pier, go to Terminal 3 and find the ticket booth of the ferry going to Puerto Galera. At Batangas Pier, passengers are required to pay the Terminal Fee worth 30 pesos per person and the Environmental User Fee for tourists going to Puerto Galera worth 50 pesos per person.

Puerto Galera has 4 major points of entry, namely, Sabang Pier, Muelle Pier, Balatero Pier and White Beach. If you are going to Sabang, choose the ferry that will go directly to Sabang Pier. If you are going to White Beach, make sure that the ferry will go to White Beach.

There are many shipping companies plying the Batangas-Puerto Galera route. The major passenger ferries are: FSL or Father and Son Shipping Lines, MSL or Minolo Shipping Lines and Galerian Lines.

The maximum capacity of an outrigger ferry is from 60 up to 120 passengers. The ticket costs 250 to 280 pesos, one-way.

The first ferry trip to Puerto Galera is 7:30 am during the normal season and every hour thereafter, one or 2 ferries depart until 4:30 pm which is usually the last trip to Puerto Galera.

If you happen to disembark at the wrong pier or landing site, there are tricycles that you can hire to bring you to the resort of your choice. 

For assistance, call our tourist information Hotline: (043) 287-3101 or Mobile: 0917-7771418.

If you want to go here in private or with friends without using a public transportation, you can hire a private transport also. Here's what you need to do:

The favorite mode of transport of tourists who upon arrival at the airport would like to be whisked away from Manila all the way to Puerto Galera.

Aircon Van One-Way = PhP 4000.00	Chartered Outrigger Ferry One-Way = PhP 4000.00

An air-conditioned van will be waiting at the airport or your hotel to pick you up. The driver will be at the exit or the lobby carrying a sign with the name of the guest.

The van will go straight to a private beach in Batangas called Berberabe Beach or Leah Beach where an outrigger ferry is waiting for you to depart to your destination in Puerto Galera.

Although there is no time requirement and you leave upon your pleasure, it is advisable to leave during daytime rather than nighttime since the Coast Guard only allows daytime trips for outrigger ferries. However, it has become a regular occurrence when nighttime trips are done especially when the passengers are tourists going to Puerto Galera.

Costing:

	ONE-WAY	ROUNDTRIP
AIRCON VAN ONLY	4000.00	7600.00
OUTRIGGER FERRY ONLY	4000.00	7600.00
VAN AND FERRY	7600.00	15000.00

To book the PRIVATE CHARTER service – please click HERE

For more information, please call – TEL: +63 43-2873101 or Mobile: +63 939-9387818 (Smart)

White Beach Lodge	VM Beach Resort	La Solana Suites	Francesca Resort
Blue Water Lodge	Villa Del Car	Agbing Resort	Marco Vincent
White Beach Resort	Sea Jewel Resort	Lan-Sei Resort	Dreamwave Hotel
@ Sabang, La Laguna Beach and Coco Beach
Coco Beach Resort	Tropicana Castle	Mermaid Hotel	Garden of Eden
Seashore Lodge	Sabang Hill	Capt'n Gregg's Resort	Angelyn's Resort
Steps & Garden	El Galleon	Jeremy's Lodge	La Laguna Villas
La Laguna Beach Club	Big Lalaguna Resort	Scandinavian Resort	Campbell Resort
@ Other Locations in Puerto Galera
Sunset at Aninuan	Amihan Villa	Puerto Nirvana Resort	Punta Del Este

I am sharing these pictures so that you will have an idea what you will get when you go to this charming Island.

Perfect Sunset

 I asked my friend to take this picture and "yeah" he had a hard time! haha

Just an ordinary day at White Beach, Puerto Galera

Pancake Burger (Bacon, meat loaf, eggs and butter) It was HUGE, am telling you! Worth the price!

Fire Dancing happens every 7PM. Watch the video here:

One crazy night. Friday nights at White Beach, Puerto Galera is the best!

Cheers!!!


I hope I gave you enough information about White Beach, Puerto Galera. You can also enjoy a waterfalls nearby the seashore. It's an hour away . To know more, Click here: