Robert was kind enough to arrange a weekend for me at his wonderful house. His staff picked me up from the bus station and instantly made me feel welcome. This is an experience for people truly looking to immerse themselves in the local culture of rural life in Thailand. That being said, the location is nearby vibrant markets and everything you could need. The property is surrounded by rice fields and residents with large smiles on their face. Robert's wife Pooh is an incredible chef and clearly takes pride in her ingredients (many of which, grown in their backyard) and sharing her knowledge on Thai cuisine. I was escorted to their temple of worship, a monkey sanctuary, and to a learning centre. Being that this is my first time in Asia, it was extremely refreshing to avoid the tourist traps and understand the beauty of daily Thai life.
My favourite part of the experience was when Pooh advised me that this is an environment to not only teach English, but to also learn some Thai. Robert and Pooh have set up a space to exchange cultural values and learn from each other.
