Hello all and sawat dee krapp!

Anna and Ryan here, your trip leaders. We’re coming up on the end of June already and the anticipation for our upcoming trip to Thailand is staring to boil over!  In just over two weeks, we’ll be in Chiang Mai, a city often referred to as the nation’s cultural capital. There, we’ll have our first experiences in Thailand, a complex and beautiful country whose kind and friendly citizens have earned it the fitting title, the Land of Smiles. From cooking authentic Thai cuisine to zip-lining across the forest canopy, from trekking through the northern highland jungles to getting up close and personal with Earth’s largest land mammals, elephants, our exploration into Northern Thai culture will be one adventure after the next.

We couldn’t be more excited to have these adventures right along with you, making life-long memories and, more importantly, gaining insight into a different culture. We’ve both lived and worked in Thailand, and here are some of our observations of what we love the most about Thailand:

1) The people of Thailand – As each of you will learn, the people of Thailand embrace a culture of gracious hospitality and often go out of their way to make travelers feel happy and comfortable in their homeland. We encourage you to strike up as many conversations with locals as possible.

2) The food of Thailand – In Thailand, the best food might not come from a sit-down restaurant or even be named on a menu at all — some of the best food is cooked and served by local families using nothing but a street cart and ingredients they bought from the market that day. Be prepared to try something new.

3) The landscapes of Thailand – The natural beauty of Thailand is rich and the tropical lushness of the country’s wild areas is unique and varied. From thick bamboo groves in the mountains to wild papaya and banana trees everywhere you look, we have no doubt you’ll experience and cherish Thailand’s beauty in your own unique ways.

Thailand has something for everyone and we think it’s important to remember that nothing is ever exactly what you expect it to be. Come with an open mind and prepare yourselves for an unforgettable trip. We’ll be right there with you every step of the way, trying new things and having the times of our lives.  We can’t wait to meet and get to know each of you. Get excited!

Sawat dee krapp!

– Anna and Ryan