An Outing

Reported by Ei Naing, BA4 student
On December 21 2024, we went on an exciting outing. Everyone gathered in front of the library at 7:45 am, full of energy and ready for the day. The weather was also great for outdoor activities, picnics and enjoying nature. We departed International Buddhist College (IBC) to visit several places at 8:00 a.m.

We arrived at our first stop - Hat Yai Municipality Park at 9:00 a.m. The park was peaceful, with lots of trees and open spaces. Then we changed vehicles to go up Kho Hong Mountain. We visited the Big Buddha on the top of the mountain, which was very large and beautiful. It stood tall and shiny under the sunlight, giving a calm and peaceful feeling.
After spending some time near the Big Buddha, we went paddle boating in a small lake at the park. Two people shared each boat, and we had a lot of fun paddling together. The water was calm and a cool breeze made the activity even more enjoyable. We also took many photos. We had the chance to meet and greet visitors. Everyone was smiling and happy during that time.

After that, we left the park and headed to Prince Songkhla University (PSU). We enjoyed our lunch together. The food was tasty. After lunch, we walked around the university. The campus was clean and full of trees and flowers, making it a pleasant place to explore.

We left PSU at 1:30 p.m. and traveled to Samila Beach, arriving at 2:30 p.m. The beach was stunning, with its blue sea, soft sand and fresh air. We enjoyed the moments we spent there through some activities. There were many visitors at the beach, some of them riding horses along the shore. The beach was so beautiful and we felt reluctant to leave for our next destination - Khlong Hae Temple.

The temple with lovely traditional buildings was quiet and peaceful. We visited the Shwedagon Pagoda and then went to the Floating Market nearby. The market was very busy and full of life. The market had many shops selling clothes, food and drinks. The smell of fresh food and the sound of people talking and laughing filled the air. The traditional Thai dances and music which made the place even more exciting. Some of us bought clothes and snacks. The market was lively and fun and we all enjoyed exploring it.

We returned to IBC, feeling tired but happy. The trip was full of fun, laughter and unforgettable moments. Every place that we visited had something special, from the calm feeling near the Big Buddha to the excitement of the beach and the Floating Market. This trip promoted better relationship among us and created sweet memories that we will always treasure.

In conclusion, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to IBC for supporting our trip and providing us with this wonderful opportunity. Besides that, I also would like to extend my sincere thanks to Venerable Dhammanandi, Sayalay Obhasi, Sister Aod and Sister Mod for their kindness and dedication to make this trip a success. Your thoughtful arrangement and efforts had made this outing trip a truly enjoyable and memorable experience for us. Everything was well-planned and we all had a fantastic time together. Thank you so much for organizing such a wonderful trip!