THAILAND2014 ABOUT ITINERARY CISabroad STAFF WHAT TO PACK MONEY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION About Thailand Friendly and fun-loving, exotic and tropical, cul- tured and historic, Thailand beams with a lustrous hue from its gaudy temples and golden beaches to the ever-comforting Thai smile. Thailand's beaches are mythical: tall palms angle over pearlescent sand, coral gardens flourish in the shallow seas and beach parties. But, no matter what draws you to the coun- try first, a Thai meal will keep you hooked. (Lonely Planet) ! ! About Bangkok Same same, but different. It's Thailish T-shirt philosophy that sums up Bangkok, a city where the tastes of many places are mixed into an often-spicy dish. The language barrier may seem huge, but it's never prevented anybody from loving the Thai people. The capital’s cultural un- derpinnings are evident in virtually all facets of everyday life, and most enjoyably through its residents' sense of sà·nùk (fun). In Bangkok, anything worth doing should have an element of sà·nùk. Ordering food, changing money and haggling at markets will usually involve a sense of playfulness – a dash of flirtation, perhaps, and a smile. It’s a language that doesn’t require words, and one that's easy to learn. With so much of life conducted on the street, there are few cities in the world that reward exploration as handsomely as Bangkok. Cap off an ex- tended boat trip with a visit to a hidden morning market. A stroll off Banglamphu’s beaten track can wind up in conversation with a monk. Get lost in the tiny lanes of Chinatown. After dark, let the BTS (Skytrain) escort you to Th Sukhumvit, where a sophisticated and dynamic city is revealed. (Lonely Planet) ! "1 ABOUT ITINERARY CISabroad STAFF WHAT TO PACK MONEY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION ! Itinerary !*itinerary subject to change* !WEEK I Sunday, June 29, 2014 Day: Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to the hotel. All students and faculty will be greeted at the airport by a CISabroad staff member and transported by private van to the hotel. Afternoon: CIS city and safety orientation. !Evening: Welcome dinner. Monday, June 30, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. !Afternoon: Visit to Wat Pho, one of the oldest temples in Bangkok. Tuesday, July 1, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. !Afternoon: Tour of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo Wednesday, July 2, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel !Day: Full day tour of the Chao Phraya River canals and visit to Taksin monument. Thursday, July 3, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. !Day: Visit to Royal Barge Museum and Wat Arun Friday, July 4, 2014 - Sunday, July 6, 2014: Open weekend. Explore the city like a local with suggestions from your CIS leader as part of “La Vida Local” culture !series. !WEEK II Monday, July 7, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Free time !Evening: A traditional Thai performance at the National Theatre Tuesday, July 8, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. !Afternoon: Visit to Wat Yannawa Wednesday, July 9, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel Day: All-day excursion to Ayutthaya. !Evening: Group dinner Thursday, July 10, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. !Afternoon: Visit the Foreigner’s Quarter and Santa Cruz Catholic Church Friday, July 11, 2014 - Sunday, July 13, 2014 Weekend excursion to Siem Reap, Cambodia Depart Bangkok Friday morning for Siem Reap, afternoon tour of floating villages outside of the city Saturday: Full day visit of Angkor Wat and Bayon Temples Sunday: Return flight to Bangkok, Thailand "2 ABOUT ITINERARY CISabroad STAFF WHAT TO PACK MONEY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION Itinerary !*itinerary subject to change* !WEEK III Monday, July 14, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. !Afternoon: Visit to Dusit Neighborhood and Park, Vimanmek Mansion. Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. !Afternoon: Visit to Christian Churches and Wat Indrawihan Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel Day: Visit Silom Road, Lumphini Park, Erawan Shrine, National Museum and Gallery of Thai History !Evening: Group dinner Thursday, July 17, 2014 - Sunday, July 20, 2014 Thursday: Morning flight to Chiang Mai, guided city tour in the afternoon. Friday: Day excursion to Independently-run, local Thai farm for market shopping, cooking lessons and group meal. Saturday: Morning bus to Sukhothai (approximately 5 hour drive), afternoon guided visit of the Historical Park and ruins, overnight in Sukhothai area. !Sunday: Bus ride back to Bangkok (approximately 6 hour drive). WEEK IV Monday, July 21, 2014 !Morning: Return to Bangkok Tuesday, July 22, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. !Afternoon: Visit to Jim Thompson’s House and Siam Square Wednesday, July 23, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Visit to the Museum of Siam !Evening: Group dinner Thursday, July 24, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. !Afternoon: Visit to Chinatown area, Sampeng Lane markets and Wat Traimit Friday, July 25, 2014 Morning: Breakfast and free time Afternoon: Buddhist meditation talk at a venue like the Buddhist International Meditation Center in Maha Chula- !longkorn University Saturday-Sunday, July 26-27, 2014 !Free weekend "3 ABOUT ITINERARY CISabroad STAFF WHAT TO PACK MONEY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION ! Itinerary !*itinerary subject to change* !WEEK V Monday, July 28, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. !Afternoon: Visit to M.R. Kukrit’s Heritage Home Tuesday, July 29, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Visit to Memorial of Expeditionary Force WWI Monument !Evening: Study time Wednesday, July 30, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by in-class presentations from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Study time !Evening: Study time Thursday, July 31, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by in-class presentations from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Exam time !Evening: Study time Friday, August 1, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by class time from 9 AM to 12:30 PM in hotel meeting space. Afternoon: Exam time !Evening: Farewell dinner Saturday, August 2, 2014 Morning: Breakfast at hotel followed by group departure to airport "4 ABOUT ITINERARY CISabroad STAFF WHAT TO PACK MONEY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION ! CISabroad Sta# David Jackson David was born in the UK and moved to the US when he was 16 and completed high school and college in Colorado. As an avid traveler, his first thought on graduation was to travel to Asia. He volunteered and lived with a family in Kathmandu for 2 months before travelling to Thailand. He quickly fell in love with the country and for the last 9 years has worked as a teacher, for NGOs and the now helping Thai people and communities connect with people travelling to Thailand. He loves his work because it allows him to share his love of Thailand and its people with others and at the same time support the great things that people all over Thailand are doing every day. "5 ABOUT ITINERARY CISabroad STAFF WHAT TO PACK MONEY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION ! What to Pack !Weather The month of July in Thailand is characterized by essentially constant daily high temperatures, with daily !highs around 91°F throughout the month. Suggested Packing List ! • Comfortable shoes, plan to be on your feet a lot each day! • Layers are great for long days when the weather can change drastically from morning to afternoon, think lightweight shirts, jackets, etc. • Sunscreen and sun hat or hat and gloves, depending on where you are headed and the time of year! • Rain Jacket • Small bag to pack in for overnight trips • Shower shoes for shared showers at hostels • Travel size toiletries • Plug adapters ! Essential Items ! • Passport • Copy of your passport to carry with you at all times • University ID • Pepto-Bismol/Imodium, Advil, etc • Prescription medications. Please make sure that they are in the prescription bottle with the original label and not mixed into one bag or container! • Personal journal • Laptops may not be necessary for this short program, check with your professor ! Items to carry-on the plane ! • Camera • I-Pod or MP3 player, charger, and headphones • We do not suggest bringing any valuable jewelry or items, but if you must, it is safer to carry them on rather than put them in your check luggage. • Keep in mind the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids in your carry on: 3.4 ounce (100ml) containers in; 1 quart- sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 zip-top, plastic bag per passenger placed in screening bin. ! ! "6 ABOUT ITINERARY CISabroad STAFF WHAT TO PACK MONEY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION ! Money Currency ! Thailand uses the Thai Baht as its currency, the current exchange rate is 1 USD = 32.36 Thai Baht but keep in mind that this may fluctuate.