Course Name: Thailand Adventure Trip

• Dates: October 28 - November 4, 2018
• Course Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Course Category: Adventure, Skill Development and Culture
• Provider's Website: http://www.activethailand.com

Here are Photos from the trip (updated as often as possible)

SFS Supervisors:

• Joachim Ekstrom (joachim.ekstrom@seoulforeign.org) Korean Mobile Number: 010-3046-6670
• Alisha Feitosa (alisha.feitosa@seoulforeign.org)

Communication during the trip:

• We will send parents an email when we arrive at the hotel in Chiangmai letting you know that we have arrived safe and sound.
• If circumstances allow it, we will send updates and photos to parents by email during the trip
• Please communicate with Mr Ekstrom by email if necessary
• In case of emergency, please call Mr Ekstrom's Thai Mobile Number: +66-86-826-8365

Student Leaders:

• Christy Lim (Grade 11)
• Annie Choi (Grade 11)

Accommodation during the trip:

• CH Hotel: https://www.chchiangmai.com/ - Tel. +66-5328-1321
• Le Cocotier Resort: www.le-cocotier.com - Tel. +66-80-499-3300

Flights (Korean Air):

• Outbound: KE667 28 October Departure: 18.40 Arrival: 22.40
• Inbound: KE668 03 November Departure: 23.55 Arrival: 06.50 (Nov 4)

Bus Transportation to and from Incheon Airport:

We have organized school buses to transport our group to and from Incheon Airport. The buses will pick up and drop off at the SFS Bus Garage. Any latecomers will be expected to make their own way to the airport. On Sunday, October 28, students need to be on the bus by 14.30. Those students electing not to take the bus to the airport must meet us at the Check-in Counter H in Terminal 2 at 16.00.

From SFS at 14.50 on Sunday October 28

• Bus Driver: V. Dong-suk Kang Phone: 010-5327-9050
• Arrival at Incheon Airport at 16.00

From Incheon Airport at 07.30 on Sunday November 4

• Return to SFS at 08.45
• Bus Driver: V. Dong-suk Kang Phone: 010-5327-9050

Those students not taking the bus back to school on Sunday, November 4, must make their own way home, and will not be supervised by a faculty sponsor. It is, therefore, critical that you make arrangements to meet your child in a timely manner. Our meeting point will be Door 5/6 inTerminal 2.

Please complete this form to indicate whether or not your child will take the bus to and from Incheon airport. Students must bring the bottom portion to school and give it to Mrs. Koh by Monday, October 15.

Passport and ARC Collection:

• Please bring these to our last meeting on October 22!

Course Description/Itinerary:

• Day 1 (October 28): Travel. Leave SFS by chartered bus at around 14.30. Depart Seoul at 18.05 and Arrive in Chiang Mai at 22.40. Overnight at CH Hotel.
• Day 2: Chiang Mai City Tour. Excursion to the mountaintop temple Wat Prathat Doi Suthep overlooking the city. Visit two other Chiang Mai Temples, and the Wuarorot market. Dinner at the night market, and free time at leisure. Overnight at CH Hotel.
• Day 3: Trekking. Visit local market, and then start the trek after early lunch. Hike for 3 hours. Overnight in village home-stay on top of the mountain. Dormitory huts with mosquito nets. Dinner is cooked by guides/staff.
• Day 4: White-water Rafting Trekking. Trek mostly down for about 3 hours to the bank of the Maetang River. Lunch at the rafting camp. River rafting for about 8 km with a few class 3 rapids. Overnight at Le Cocotier Resort, in dormitory rooms. Dinner at the hotel, buffet style.
• Cancelled: Day 5: Waterfall and Ropes. Morning abseiling down a waterfall.Relax at the Sticky Waterfall in the afternoon. Transfer from Le Cocotier to the Buatong Waterfall area. Waterfall abseiling safety training and abseiling down the waterfall. Enjoy a Thai style lunch, relax and play at the waterfall. Dinner and overnight stay at Le Cocotier Resort.
• New: Day 5: Community service day. We will visit a local village and work with the school. We will engage in various service tasks such as painting, basic construction or teaching English to the children. Dinner and overnight stay at Le Cocotier Resort.
• Day 6: Bike and Kayak at Sri Lanna National Park. Morning cycling or mountain biking activity. Cycling loop in the valley. Option A (easy): Loop of 15 km in the scenic surrounding valley. Stop at various plantations, observe villagers, rice fields. Visit of Wat Ban Den Temple. Option B (challenging): 25 km loop with some off-road trails in the forest. Emphasis more on developing mountain-biking skills. Afternoon kayak session in the nearby Mae Ngat Dam lake. Dinner and overnight stay at Le Cocotier Resort.
• Cancelled: Day 7: Rock Climbing Adventure. CMRCA rock climbing experience. Abseiling inside a big chamber. Transfer to the airport in Chiang Mai. Depart Chiang Mai at 23.55.
• New: Day 7: High Ropes course & Waterfall. We will complete the high Ropes course at Phoenix Adventure Park. The high rope challenge is a great attraction, as participants will move from various platforms, using their balance and technique. Upon completion of the rope course, we will transfer to the Buatong waterfalls (also called the Sticky Waterfall) where we will spend the afternoon. These waterfalls are impressive and gorgeous, and the lime stone allows you to climb directly up the rocks into the cascading water. We will then transfer back to Le Cocotier for dinner, shower and packing. We will leave the resort at 19:30 and travel to Chiang Mai Airport to catch the flight at 23.55.
• Day 8 (November 4): Arrive in Seoul at 06.15 am and return to SFS at about 8.30 am.

General Information:

BAGS + NAME TAGS:

We recommend to pack light and if possible in a large soft luggage (no hard suitcase if possible) as this will make daily transportation easier. Make sure your luggage is LABELLED with a Name Tag. Some people like to have also a label or write their name with a marker on other personal belonging, as glasses box, shirts, or other items. Not a bad idea, especially if you are on a multiple day program.

LAUNDRY:

You will have the possibility to have some laundry done when staying at Le Cocotier. We also have a washing area where you can do your own laundry if you prefer.

Personal Money:

There is not much to buy except snacks and drinks after the cycling! 500 Thai Baht per day is more than enough. The night bazaar in Chiang Mai is tempting and a different matter, so more cash may be needed. Bring as much Thai Baht as you think you want to use at the bazaar. However, the bazaar is only on the two first nights. The last day of the trip, we go straight to the airport. The good news is that our hotel is right in the heart of the night market.

Packing List:

This list is not exhaustive and any personal items added will be your own choice. Please keep in mind that participants will have to carry their personal belonging.

General gear:

• Reading and writing materials - Not a bad idea as you might want to keep a daily journal.
• One long pant for the hiking and evening - Tracksuits are suitable.
• A short pant (elastic waist for more comfort)
• A few t-shirts or short sleeve shirts, synthetic or cotton.
• Toiletries: keep it to a minimum and girls forget cosmetics you will not have a chance to use them. -Socks, underwear and other personal items.

Daypack:

In general we encourage participants to carry a daypack for all activities. This will allow you to carry your personal gear, the drinking water (mostly provided) and sometimes a pack lunch.

It is important to have a good fitting day pack, with a padded back and some strong straps. Ideal size is 25L to 35L. A dry bag can be inserted into the daypack, or for water based activities.

Cycling:

• We provide helmets. (Helmets are compulsory whilst cycling).
• Cycling gloves (if you have, for hands protection and comfort)
• Sunglasses (very important). Preferably cycling sunglasses that are holding well on your face.
• Lip-balm, sunscreen (waterproof) and insect repellent
• Sport T-shirts of synthetic fabric, or cotton. (Synthetic fabric dry quicker)
• Elastic waist short.

Trekking + caving + rafting:

• For all theses activities, you will need first a good pair of shoes, as hiking shoes or runners.
• Synthetic or leather shoes will be fine, but make sure there is a good hard sole with grips. Water bottle (reusable) or hydration system as camelbak.

Rock-climbing and abseiling:

The local providers CMRCA will provide all the equipment for the activities. You will wear regular shirt and short, as sports clothing, or tracksuit, and a pair of runners.

Other useful items:

● Tracksuit bottoms + Warm long-sleeve sweater or fleece.

● Cap / hat - to cover head when not wearing a helmet

● Light casual clothing for evenings i.e. sweatshirts, jeans, etc.

● Personal medical kit and prescription drugs, if you need, Isotonic drink powder

Trekking guidelines:

You will spend one night in a basic dormitory hut in a hill tribe village. We provide all the sleeping gear. You will have to carry a backpack, with your overnight gear, and the drinking water. Food supply will be carried by the staff. We will prepare the trekking backpack prior the trek, and the rest of your luggage (your large bags) will be forwarded to the next accommodation by our staff.

Considerations:

• You need to be willing to endure full days of adventure in the hot and humid Thai climate.
• Some activities might leave you physically exhausted such as trekking and mountain biking.
• Activities such as abseiling and rafting might be challenging for you.
• One night will be spent in a village home-stay on top of a mountain with no air conditioning.
• There will be no electronics allowed on this trip. Instead, you will enjoy each others’ company, the adventure itself, and the beautiful outdoors of Thailand.

As a result of participating in this Discovery Week course students will:

• Gain knowledge of the culture of Thailand.
• Develop rock climbing, rafting, abseiling biking, and trekking skills.
• Increase fitness and enjoy satisfaction from personal achievements.