Walking towards the petting zoo, there were smells of dung. We knew we were almost there and had a choice of jumping down the short wall or walking on the man-made pavements to the many thatched roofed huts we could see ahead of us. That is where the tropical animals resided.
Somewhere in the rainforest where a beautiful hotel had been built. A habitat circled by lush green bamboo bushes had been created on the grounds of the hotel set in a few acres of land. This is a natural attraction for little ones and entreats families to a different kind of experience that connects them to nature.
On entering the area, we were attracted by two moving boulders, huge tortoises. I quickly got out my phone to take photos. I thought this could be a good location for a field trip. I asked our guide;
“Do schools visit this zoo?”
He responded,
“Yes, sometimes, the little ones come with their teachers.”
That made me think about the units that could offer us the opportunity to visit such a hidden location. I also thought about the topics that we could be studying connected to animals. I continued to take many photographs. When I took the photograph of the leg of the huge tortoise. I told my sister, I would ask my students to guess which animal this could be.
That actually reminded me of a picture book I had read to my Lower Elementary students, years ago. I look for teaching opportunities wherever I go. The power of field trips, cannot be underestimated in giving students real life experiences. My daughter and niece were able to feed the monkeys with sliced pawpaw, the tortoises with leaves and cuddled the fat, furry puppies.
On our way out, there was the most beautiful attraction. A peacock, very charming and proud. I had seen one in a distance once, but close up this was just enchanting, it’s ornate feathers spread out illuminating the environment. I left feeling the charm of nature! A confirmation of what I have always believed.
GIFTS 
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