We started nice and early down in the lobby by 6:00am, we were going off to learn about Muay Thai boxing. The bus ride there was around 15 minutes and was intertwined among the back alleys. When we arrived we were told to take off our shoes and were introduced to some of the workers and general knowledge on Thai boxing. We were hustled onto a mat for warm ups that took around 20 minutes with various arm, leg and hand stretches that made the muscles loose so we could move with agility. Then to make us look real professional we were given boxing straps that were wrapped around our knuckles and bracing our wrists so we could punch the trainers’ equipment without injury. We formed three lines facing the trainers and performed a plethora of punching, elbowing and kicking combinations. These continually became more strenuous with added moves that required an immense amount balance and technique, none of which we had. The following tasks included kicking bags (that were filled with sand, and hurt…a tonne!) and working with the instructors on all of the techniques we previously learnt. Dynamite was really cool (he was a 60 year old instructor) and had a lot of fun with us by fighting back!
In the early afternoon we took an hour and a half bus ride to a wild river where we would go white-water rafting. This activity took a total of 40 minutes and everyone was soaked by the end of it. The water war started when the instructors splashed other rafts and the students were caught in the crossfire. However, this benign-ness of being splashed did not last long and the students quickly took part in the torment of cold water and wet clothes. With a few students finding themselves out of the boat for reasons both voluntarily or involuntarily, we overcame many challenges going down the rapids. Once we arrived at the end, half the students got changed while the other half started eating lunch, and then visa versa. On the menu were the most amazing things: pad Thai, fried chicken, vegetarian rice, noodles and various fruit. It then took us an extra 15 minutes on top of the already hour and a half trip back because of traffic.
A couple of hours later we went back out of our hotel into the world to the night market. We took a bright, red taxi into the middle of the market. Bustling people and bright lights littered the street and multiple of the same shop appeared as we walked down the street. Many people purchased presents for family members in the form of physical objects and classic gifts, clothing or accessories. Our return meeting spot was guided by the beautiful sign of the Golden Arches which led us back to the taxies. Then, we went back to the hotel and got ready for another huge day tomorrow.
Angelique P and Laura.
