LIVE IN BRUNEI 3 - TWO HORNBILLS

Early start today. Picked up at 6.45am and driven to Panaga School which is about one and a half hours away from the Empire Hotel where I'm staying. Drove through the early morning rainforest mist - very dramatic. Got there and met with Mr Richard and had a look around the school before I got started. In Brunei they don't call teachers by their second name but by their first. So I would be called Mr Craig. A girl called Amy came out to see me and told me to look at the beautiful birds in the tree. These birds were called hornbills and were amazing things to see and made me feel like I was in the tropical house at Chester Zoo!! Another great day, lots of fun, lots of ideas, lots of energy and shouting out. I found out that staff rooms in Brunei are sometimes called Teachers' Lounges. It was so hot today that when I left the cool air-conditioned Teachers' Lounge and went into the sun, my specs steamed up - a bit like walking into my Grandad's old greenhouse!

A big thank you to everyone at Panaga for making me feel very welcome, and for Mr Richard for putting the kettle on.

This evening Fiona and Liz took us lot out to see the amazing water village - homes on stilts built in the river. We saw young lads swimming and jumping off the bridge into the water. We got a water taxi and saw the mangroves and the Sultan's amazing Palace. Imagine living in a house with over 500 rooms, you'd never finish the hoovering and you'd never find your keys!! We also saw the amazing Mosque with a dome made out of real gold - it looked fantastic, like nothing I've ever seen before.

Looking forward to three days in Jerudong International School starting tomorrow - this tour just seems to get better and better.

LIVE IN BRUNEI 2 - THE MOON IS UPSIDE DOWN

At 4.30am this morning I was looking at the moon and realised it was upside down! Imagine that!! I felt like standing on my head to make it all right.

Today was an amazing day. I was in ISB - International School of Brunei - and had one of the best days in a school I have ever had. The teachers were friendly and welcoming - thank you Liz for that - and the pupils were just amazing. They made me feel like a rock star!!! Thank you to all the pupils of ISB for making it a really special day for me. When I got back to the hotel, I did the only thing I could do and jumped into the South China Sea! And even though I'm sitting here typing this on my blog it still all feels a bit unreal, but in a fantastic way.

Tomorrow I am in Panaga School and I'll let you know how I get on.

Brunei Rocks!

LIVE IN BRUNEI 1

I am here in Brunei after flying half way around the world and having a chicken quiche in Dubai airport. I got here this morning - at least I think it was morning, I haven't slept for 24 hours. Had an amazing welcoming party with Fiona, Angela, Sal and Jade from Jerudong International School. They were even wearing That Poetry Bloke T-shirts - how cool is that???

Got to the Empire Hotel - sea view and phone in the bathroom! Can't wait to get started tomorrow in the International School of Brunei - looking forward to meeting everyone and having fun.

Off to get something to eat now and catch up on some Zzzzzz.

Laters!

There is a great picture of me in action taken by Andy at St Marys Catholic Primary - Halifax on 8th Jan. 2010.

Darth Vader In The Chippy

I am That Poetry bloke and this is Thats Poetry Blog so i think we should have some poetry on it!! Heres a new one ---

I saw Darth Vader in the chippy
with his saber, his cape and his mask
i wondered what he was doing
but didn't have the nerve to ask

I just stood and stared at him
I didn't know what to do
Darth Vader out of Star Wars
just standing in the queue

He ordered pie and chips
and got out his money to pay
then he flew off in his death star
to a galaxy far far away

I Like To Rhyme It Rhyme It -Thai style

I have just seen something amazing on You Tube. My old mate Andy is a teacher in a school in Thailand and he has got some of his pupils doing the Rhyme It dance. You can see it on You Tube under my name and its on the second page. I'd like to say a BIG BIG THANKYOU to all the brilliant dancers who did a fantastic job. You are all stars.

See the You Tube Clip HERE!

Countdown To Brunei!!!!

Last week was great, all week in Leeds schools. A big shout to Blackgates Primary, Oulton Primary, Ninelands Primary, Fieldhead Carr Primary and St Nicholas Primary. All were great - one highlight was the Ninelands school band playing the Flintstones theme as i was setting up!! I've been trying out some new stuff in school, including a song called Where's me Trousers? It seems to be going down well. Thanks to 6K and 6B - Miss Bunages class at Blackgates for helping me out with that one!!!

Miss Bunage is a great name for a teacher. I also met a Mr and Mrs Tinkler in Wardley Primary in Salford. I think i might have a competition to find the teacher with the best name!!! I'll let you know if i meet any more!!

Its getting close to lift off here with the BIG TRIP TO BRUNEI getting very close. I have to make a last minute dash to Liverpool on Thursday to sort my son Jacks passport out and then we are off!! AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!!