as entertaining as it sounds). On our return to Bangkok, we stopped at a trail which led to a cave containing a tiny temple. Sunlight streamed through from above, and it was surreal. The walk there and back was physically onerous, but the view of the shimmering bay on our right and adorable monkeys on our left made it worthwhile. The cultural day was our chance to experience the tourist lifestyle, going on a boat ride on the Chao Phraya River (‘River of Kings’) and passing by notable features such as the royal palace. During the cultural day, we also visited Wat Pho, a famous temple – featuring marble illustrations and “We seek to protect both the impoverished local community and the local elephant population.”
sustainability, and the Round Square IDEALS. One workshop involved pitching a sustainable business idea relevant to these local communities, and our group managed to win over the staff with a proposal to crochet plastic bags into other items. Most days, we got up at 6.15am. Following a student-led meeting and briefing, we then split into our families to work. For the environmental team, this meant hornbill nest box-making until lunch, with a two-hour break to avoid working during the hottest
period as temperatures soared to the mid-30s. In the afternoon, we conducted elephant behaviour surveys, and were fortunate to see the wild elephants most days. Following dinner, the leaders of the day would receive feedback from their respective families and staff. Finally, there would usually be a workshop on the RS IDEALS, finishing about 9.30pm, with lights out at 10.30pm. Among the personal trip highlights were the cultural day, the adventure day, and Round Square’s Got Talent (yes, it is
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