The final course of the spring semester study abroad program at ISDSI is our course on Coastal Ecology and Culture. This is the capstone of the semester, and brings together leadership skills, cross cultural and language skills, as well as expedition skills so that the students can study the reefs, sea grass, mangroves and local communities in Trang, Southern Thailand.
Here are a few photos taken by our instructor, Pi Ben, to give you a bit of a feel of what the course is like.
The prow of a new longtail boat on Mook island.
Krissy and Nikki paddling in on a double seakayak.
Ben sea kaking, leaving the beach for the crossing to Mook island.
Ben and Karen, leaders of the day, explaining the day's route by sea kayak.
Ben landing on the beach and pulling up his kayak. The ISDSI support boat in the background.
Dinner with a view. Camping on the beach in Trang.
Karen padding into the beach.
A longtail crossing by after a storm.
Karen and Ben, leaders of the day, sorting out the kayaks after a day's paddle.
Riley identifying different types of seagrass during a study of seagrass ecology and dugong feeding behavior.
A real pirate cave -- a great location for a seminar by Bang Hed, a village elder, about mangroves and community. (The pirates have been gone for a long time... at least that's what Bang Hed says...)
Jack and his host family, Baan Iet, Ja Mai, Nong Chock, and Nong Lin.
Pi Noi, usually in the office, but also working the occasional field course, and Pi Toto, field instructor.
The host families of Jao Mai village with their students.
Mid-course seminar with Ajaan Mark. ISDSI field seminar rooms don't have WiFi, but we like them!
Ben watching the sunset over the Andaman Sea.
