Kho Lipe Island, Thailand, during my stay as resident volunteer English Teacher.
I want to share some photos I took during my 6 month stay on Kho Lipe Island, while I was resident English Teacher for grades 4, 5, and 6, following the Asian Tsunami.
Kho Lipe has changed a lot in the last 6 years, although it is still wonderful, quiet and relaxing.
Here is the original walking street, from Pataya beach to the Chao Lay Village and the school.
Walking down the trail from the beach for about 10-15 minutes I neared the “Sea Gypsy” village, http://andaman-island-hopping.com/articles/seagypsies.htm
where there were a collection of “backpacker” restaurants with excellent sea food, so you know
you won’t go hungry. The Chao Lay Village has a population of around 800 in grass and tin shacks spread along a very pretty beach. I walked the equivalent of 3-4 blocks, having
to make several turns at forks on the complex of dirt and sand walking paths. After about 5 minutes, I reached the center of town,
 |
| This is the view of the beach in front of the school. It's possibly the best school setting in the world. |
where a huge communal sala (roofed outdoor seating area) occupies the beach. Behind the beach is the school complex, made up of about 5-6
large buildings, solar panels and water tanks. My classroom was located at the end of long school building, right in front of the ocean. It has to be the most picturesque school setting in the world.
I was called “Achaan” Johnny. Having the title “Achaan” in Thailand is somewhat like having “PHD.” after your name in the States. My classes were fairly well behaved by modern standards
Since I am able to speak Thai Language, I was placed as 4th 5th and 6th grade teacher, so that I could talk to the children, and answer their questions. When class was over,
I got some of the kids to pose for a group photo. Then we walked over to the main building where we met Ben, the
other American teaching English at the school. We became good friends while living on the quiet isolated island.
Here is a map of the area and the national park islands painted outside the school. There are over 50 uninhabited islands in the area, most of which are visible while walking the beaches of Lipe. All of which can be visited for day trips from Kho Lipe.
