Rocking around Thailand

Hellooooo bloggers, it's your crew from Pacific Discovery Thailand! We just
spent our first week here in Thailand and I gotta say.... it's been amazing.

Having arrived in Bangkok, we were shocked by the vibrant city of friendly
faces, food stalls, and humidity. The vivid colors of Khao San Road, the
relaxation of a Thai massage, and the majestic temples were a good taste of
the culture and people of Thailand. Soon we were on our way to the old
capital of Thailand, Sukhothai, a pint-sized, ancient, walled city to the
North. We stayed in a magical, quaint guesthouse called Lotus Village.
Having cycled through the breathtaking temples of the ancient city,
everyone enjoyed relaxing and playing Marco Polo in the nearby pool.
Although leaving this beautiful city was sad, the group was excited for the
climb ahead.

Next to come was Chiang Mai, which would test our limits and prove our own
determination. Chiang Mai is like Bangkok's little brother that wants to be
cool, and he's coming along... we had a lot of fun. Immediately, the guides
were welcoming, putting us at ease and teaching us handshakes, games, and
even the Thai language. That night we had a bonfire where we failed an
attempt to make a traditional Thai dessert out of sticky rice and coconut
milk. We then let our worries go by lighting paper lanterns. Watching them
fly into the dark sky was enchanting to experience. After practicing our
skills, we were put to the test with a day of rock climbing; death-defying
40-metre (120 feet approx.) rappels; and caving at the Anxiety State Crisis
Cave, scrambling through tight spaces and contorting our bodies in ways we
never thought we could. We convinced the guides to take us through a
mysterious tunnel within the cave, filled with obstacles, steep drops, and
a leap of faith that everyone was proud to accomplish. Waiting for us on
the other side of the vertical climb was a zip line and 30-metre rappel,
which was a welcome end to the day of mud, sweat, and a few tears. It was
definitely the craziest thing I've ever agreed to, #survived. Somehow,
through luck or talent, everyone made it through alive and ate
well-deserved ice cream. The group bonded over the challenges and agreed
that this was so far the highlight of the trip.

We are excited for what our next few weeks here will bring!

Sophie and Rachael