Sarah Healey has just returned from a sponsored trek in Thailand, during which she raised a great deal of money for LC - thank you Sarah !
She's kindly given us a summary of her adventure, it's fascinating reading.
Thanks again for all your sponsorships - I'm home with a charity challenge medal!! The trip was an eventful adventure and I'm so glad I did it.
Here is a day-to day summary of my trip;
Day 1: Thursday 5th July
10am flight to Bahrain from Heathrow. Kedra one of the group stayed with me overnight and I meet Matt & Paul, then Alice at Check in followed by Sheridon, Adrian, Pheona and Kristy in the departure lounge, Elaine, Chris and Zina on the plane and Fiona at Bahrain. Delayed departure gave us less time at Bahrain airport, where we waited for about 4 hours for onward flight to Bangkok.
10am flight to Bahrain from Heathrow. Kedra one of the group stayed with me overnight and I meet Matt & Paul, then Alice at Check in followed by Sheridon, Adrian, Pheona and Kristy in the departure lounge, Elaine, Chris and Zina on the plane and Fiona at Bahrain. Delayed departure gave us less time at Bahrain airport, where we waited for about 4 hours for onward flight to Bangkok.
Day 2: Friday 6th July
00.15 flight Bahrain to Bangkok. Spent ages on tarmac at Bahrain so further delay led to arriving 12.45pm at Bangkok airport. Here we were met by Jean-Dan our Swiss group leader who has been in Thailand running such trips and other less challenging sightseeing tours for 20 years and his second in command Oh a Thai from Bangkok. Both spoke excellent English. It took about half an hour/forty minutes to transfer in two mini-buses to our Hotel in Bangkok in the lively Banglamphu district. After a small briefing meeting Kedra and I headed off to narry.com tailors over in the centre of town. As it was Friday night the traffic was horrendous and we were over 2 hours in the taxi before it dropped us off at the skytrain - an overground transport system where 10mins later and 3 stops we arrived at the tailors. Spent about 2 hours in there 7-9pm being measured and choosing suits. I had a package which included 2 suits 2 shirts 1 dress and 2 scarves for approx £110. As we had missed the group dinner we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe for my pin collection and decided to eat there too. A taxi back to the hotel followed by a bedtime beverage and we were off to bed!
00.15 flight Bahrain to Bangkok. Spent ages on tarmac at Bahrain so further delay led to arriving 12.45pm at Bangkok airport. Here we were met by Jean-Dan our Swiss group leader who has been in Thailand running such trips and other less challenging sightseeing tours for 20 years and his second in command Oh a Thai from Bangkok. Both spoke excellent English. It took about half an hour/forty minutes to transfer in two mini-buses to our Hotel in Bangkok in the lively Banglamphu district. After a small briefing meeting Kedra and I headed off to narry.com tailors over in the centre of town. As it was Friday night the traffic was horrendous and we were over 2 hours in the taxi before it dropped us off at the skytrain - an overground transport system where 10mins later and 3 stops we arrived at the tailors. Spent about 2 hours in there 7-9pm being measured and choosing suits. I had a package which included 2 suits 2 shirts 1 dress and 2 scarves for approx £110. As we had missed the group dinner we headed to the Hard Rock Cafe for my pin collection and decided to eat there too. A taxi back to the hotel followed by a bedtime beverage and we were off to bed!
Day 3: Saturday 7th July
Drive by mini-bus up to our starting point for the trek so today was a travel/sight seeing day. We stopped first at a war cemetery for those mainly English but some Dutch who lost their lives in the Second World War as prisoners of war forced to build the railway from Thailand to Burma. Then it was the Bridge over the River Kwai itself where the other side was in Burma. Note the film was shot in Sri Lanka and the story a different one. Other stops were a restaurant lunch stop and another stop at a Dam with a floating village and some tropical trees. We reached our destination of the Burmese Inn at Sangklaburi. Dinner was provided by our host followed by a few beers.
Drive by mini-bus up to our starting point for the trek so today was a travel/sight seeing day. We stopped first at a war cemetery for those mainly English but some Dutch who lost their lives in the Second World War as prisoners of war forced to build the railway from Thailand to Burma. Then it was the Bridge over the River Kwai itself where the other side was in Burma. Note the film was shot in Sri Lanka and the story a different one. Other stops were a restaurant lunch stop and another stop at a Dam with a floating village and some tropical trees. We reached our destination of the Burmese Inn at Sangklaburi. Dinner was provided by our host followed by a few beers.
Day 4: Sunday 8th July
All set for the first day's trek. As well as our English speaking guides we had about three Thai guides who were assisting everyone and cutting jungle debris from out route. It started off flat but soon began climbing and after a cave with bats flying though we were well on the way up. After a quick break at the top of the first climb it started to pour with rain - as we had seen this coming raincoats and rain covers for the rucksacks were already on. After a further steady climb and a couple of falls we had lunch of rice and chicken wrapped in bamboo leaves. After this followed more muddy inclined terrain with which I struggled. There were a few falls by various members of the group and one which resulted in a bamboo tree nearly hitting one of us. Eventually after the guides trying to work out the best route we met the road and after about 10 hours walking we got to our destination in the dark. We were all put up in a barn type building with several sleeping areas under mosquito nets. Washing facilities were the nearby river. Dinner and a dance by some local girls before everyone went to bed shattered.
All set for the first day's trek. As well as our English speaking guides we had about three Thai guides who were assisting everyone and cutting jungle debris from out route. It started off flat but soon began climbing and after a cave with bats flying though we were well on the way up. After a quick break at the top of the first climb it started to pour with rain - as we had seen this coming raincoats and rain covers for the rucksacks were already on. After a further steady climb and a couple of falls we had lunch of rice and chicken wrapped in bamboo leaves. After this followed more muddy inclined terrain with which I struggled. There were a few falls by various members of the group and one which resulted in a bamboo tree nearly hitting one of us. Eventually after the guides trying to work out the best route we met the road and after about 10 hours walking we got to our destination in the dark. We were all put up in a barn type building with several sleeping areas under mosquito nets. Washing facilities were the nearby river. Dinner and a dance by some local girls before everyone went to bed shattered.
Day 5: Monday 9th July.
A less difficult terrain saw trekking through rice fields, streams, villages, rubber plantations and a wade across river to our freshly built bamboo hut bedrooms with campfire outside, where we were greeted by a can of Chang beer.
A less difficult terrain saw trekking through rice fields, streams, villages, rubber plantations and a wade across river to our freshly built bamboo hut bedrooms with campfire outside, where we were greeted by a can of Chang beer.
Day 6: Tuesday 10th July.
A circular walk around the jungle following road and then down to follow a stream sometimes wading in it other times walking around it. This was followed by rafting down the river to our lunch destination. This took longer than expected due to first my raft capsizing (which resulted in several bruises, a cut on the head ,a lost bandana and despite fishing them from the river a screw missing from my sunglasses!) followed by a second raft hitting the side of river and one member of the group trapped underneath the raft for a bit. After our late lunch were driven back to the Burmese Inn via Three Pagoda's Pass on the border with Burma. It was here that I started to feel weary. By the time I got back to the Burmese Inn I was shivering and getting hot and cold. However after some hot water and a shower I felt better. After dinner though having already had a little diarrhoea the weary feeling came back and having got ready for bed I felt very hot and cold. I spent the night trying to sleep sweating a lot, drinking a lot and passing water so not really replacing any fluids followed by vomiting in the middle of the night.
A circular walk around the jungle following road and then down to follow a stream sometimes wading in it other times walking around it. This was followed by rafting down the river to our lunch destination. This took longer than expected due to first my raft capsizing (which resulted in several bruises, a cut on the head ,a lost bandana and despite fishing them from the river a screw missing from my sunglasses!) followed by a second raft hitting the side of river and one member of the group trapped underneath the raft for a bit. After our late lunch were driven back to the Burmese Inn via Three Pagoda's Pass on the border with Burma. It was here that I started to feel weary. By the time I got back to the Burmese Inn I was shivering and getting hot and cold. However after some hot water and a shower I felt better. After dinner though having already had a little diarrhoea the weary feeling came back and having got ready for bed I felt very hot and cold. I spent the night trying to sleep sweating a lot, drinking a lot and passing water so not really replacing any fluids followed by vomiting in the middle of the night.
Day 7: Wednesday 11th July
A relaxation day following the 3 day trek. Whilst the others went of on a local boat trip, temple and market visit Oh took me to the hospital. I had woken up feeling not quite as rough as when going to bed but we felt I had better get seen to. The doctors gave me some tests which were negative and some antibiotics and energy giving beverage salts. After a little rest back at the accommodation the rest returned and we headed off to our next accommodation. Upon arrival I had a little sleep again and then tried to join everyone for dinner but again vomited. So got into bed for the night.
A relaxation day following the 3 day trek. Whilst the others went of on a local boat trip, temple and market visit Oh took me to the hospital. I had woken up feeling not quite as rough as when going to bed but we felt I had better get seen to. The doctors gave me some tests which were negative and some antibiotics and energy giving beverage salts. After a little rest back at the accommodation the rest returned and we headed off to our next accommodation. Upon arrival I had a little sleep again and then tried to join everyone for dinner but again vomited. So got into bed for the night.
Day 8: Thursday 12th July
Hell Fire Pass trek/Kayaking. As I felt a lot better the next morning I participated in the morning's hike along the remains of the death railway built by the prisoners of war. The day was hot and whilst I was thinking, "oh no, I am sweating so much I'm feverish again" but everyone else was too so it was just the heat. The walk finished with some steep stairs up to the Hell Fire Pass Museum and by that time I was feeling sick. I saw a bit of the horrific videos in there but came outside. I couldn't stomach lunch and sat in the van whilst everyone else ate. I therefore gave the kayaking a miss and was taken straight to the nights accommodation where I had a sleep with a nightmare that I was getting up walking about not knowing what I was doing and behaving rather mentally!! When my room mate arrived (The kayaking was all the way down river to the accommodation) about a minute after waking up I went across to the swimming pool with her for a quick dip and mainly stayed in the circular bit to the side sitting in the water. I managed to eat dinner this night and then just went back to the room for a rest and started the book I had purchased at Heathrow, just managing one chapter!
Hell Fire Pass trek/Kayaking. As I felt a lot better the next morning I participated in the morning's hike along the remains of the death railway built by the prisoners of war. The day was hot and whilst I was thinking, "oh no, I am sweating so much I'm feverish again" but everyone else was too so it was just the heat. The walk finished with some steep stairs up to the Hell Fire Pass Museum and by that time I was feeling sick. I saw a bit of the horrific videos in there but came outside. I couldn't stomach lunch and sat in the van whilst everyone else ate. I therefore gave the kayaking a miss and was taken straight to the nights accommodation where I had a sleep with a nightmare that I was getting up walking about not knowing what I was doing and behaving rather mentally!! When my room mate arrived (The kayaking was all the way down river to the accommodation) about a minute after waking up I went across to the swimming pool with her for a quick dip and mainly stayed in the circular bit to the side sitting in the water. I managed to eat dinner this night and then just went back to the room for a rest and started the book I had purchased at Heathrow, just managing one chapter!
Day 9: Friday 13th July
One of the highlights of the trip we did a trek - this time on elephants with them using their feet!! I was in one on my own which meant I spent longer at the front on top of mine. He did keep stopping to munch on the greenery around though! Then a morning of Kayaking followed by the drive back to Bangkok. As I had not done this the day before or anything like this for over 20 years I seemed to be quite a way at the back. Then the rest stopped briefly so I could catch up and then I went past and remained in the front all the rest of the way. I was expected some of them at least to over take but I didn't realise that they were not paddling all the time. I took about 3 or 4 brief rests the entire journey whereas they were having longer rests! After lunch by the river bank mini-bus back to Bangkok. Upon arrival back to the hotel took a taxi and the sky train back to the tailors. Just a couple of alterations to do and upon finishing these they would drop them back to the hotel. After a quick visit to a nearby shop selling fake football shirts and a purchase of the new Arsenal away strip for someone at the cost of 840 bahts £13, I took the sky train back to national stadium station where I took a couple of pics of the sporting facilities upon deciding the station and then taxi to the hotel. A quick look at the nearby shopping street and check of e-mails in the internet cafe and then our group celebratory meal. After the meal we were awarded a charity challenge medal by the guides. Then we went on to a karaoke bar which was tucked away and the only other people in there were locals. After that it was a night club til that closed at 2am. Although I wasn't drinking the lads get a little drunk and Alice tried to steer Matt the short journey back to the hotel!!
One of the highlights of the trip we did a trek - this time on elephants with them using their feet!! I was in one on my own which meant I spent longer at the front on top of mine. He did keep stopping to munch on the greenery around though! Then a morning of Kayaking followed by the drive back to Bangkok. As I had not done this the day before or anything like this for over 20 years I seemed to be quite a way at the back. Then the rest stopped briefly so I could catch up and then I went past and remained in the front all the rest of the way. I was expected some of them at least to over take but I didn't realise that they were not paddling all the time. I took about 3 or 4 brief rests the entire journey whereas they were having longer rests! After lunch by the river bank mini-bus back to Bangkok. Upon arrival back to the hotel took a taxi and the sky train back to the tailors. Just a couple of alterations to do and upon finishing these they would drop them back to the hotel. After a quick visit to a nearby shop selling fake football shirts and a purchase of the new Arsenal away strip for someone at the cost of 840 bahts £13, I took the sky train back to national stadium station where I took a couple of pics of the sporting facilities upon deciding the station and then taxi to the hotel. A quick look at the nearby shopping street and check of e-mails in the internet cafe and then our group celebratory meal. After the meal we were awarded a charity challenge medal by the guides. Then we went on to a karaoke bar which was tucked away and the only other people in there were locals. After that it was a night club til that closed at 2am. Although I wasn't drinking the lads get a little drunk and Alice tried to steer Matt the short journey back to the hotel!!
Day 10: Saturday 14th July
Those of us that were not too hungover or shattered took a tuk tuk journey at 8.30am to the Grand Palace with a guided tour by Oh. Then back to the hotel by tuk tuk and Alice and I went on a brief shop before leaving the hotel at 11.15am for the airport and the long journey home with a six hour stopover in Bahrain.
Sarah
1 comment:
Well done Sarah! That sounds exhausting... you've really got something to be proud of there!
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