Why we LOVE Thailand!

While climbing in a local gym in Chiang Mai some of the guides began to call me "soo yaht" and the nickname stuck. Its meaning and the experiences I have had on this trip are synonymous - Awesome! -Cole

It's funny to think that just a few days ago I had no idea what some Thai elephants have been put through. At the elephant nature park, we learned how they are mistreated and were given a chance to do something about it. After bathing them, feeding them, and even shoveling the thirty seven elephants' waste, I can honestly say that the Thai elephant is my favorite animal. Oh, and the food was good too :) -Allison

Arriving in Bangkok was incredible, they say that the first few hours you spend in a country are very important, in Bangkok it only took minutes to know that I love it here! Rappelling really pushed my limits, the last rappel after the traverse was so intimidating, but once my feet left the rocks I felt confident in the new skills that I had learned! Chiang Mai is fascinating, around every corner is a new adventure and everyone is very friendly! The best memory was pantomiming "croaking" to a songtao driver... So that we could find the foreign cemetery on our amazing race! -Helen

It didn't hit me that I was truly in Thailand until the group managed to squeeze five people into a tuk-tuk taxi. This country is amazing, and every single person has a smile in their face. I don't plan on ever leaving! -Beth

The first thing you discover in Thailand is how sweaty you can get, which is the first of so many amazing experiences. Last week we took care of mistreated elephants by bathing them, preparing their food and also cutting grass and corn for these giants. At the end of this week, we spent two days rock climbing and caving, the most difficult sport I've ever tried. Pushing your limits is necessary to handle fear and fatigue, and your gift is the splendid view of the Northern Chiang Mai rainforest. Now in Chiang Mai, we are helping Burmese immigrants learn English. They are always smiling in spite of their difficult backgrounds. Even though we are supposed to teach them, they give us a beautiful lesson of life. -Anne-Sophie