World
Challenge
Expedition
New year was celebrated at 12000m by a group
of intrepid adventures who took part in a World
Challenge expedition in January this year.
As we departed NZ on our way to Bangkok, eleven very excited students met their World Challenge leader, Charlie
Turnbull, in Auckland before boarding the Malaysian Air flight that would deliver us to late night arrival into Bangkok
airport. The concept with World challenge is that the students are in charge of the planning and expenses of the entire
trip so we hit the ground running. The first decision for the team was to decide how to get into the city at the best price.
Each student was carrying a sum of money that was to cover all expenses for the next four weeks. It didn’t take long for
the students to start working efficiently and effectively within their groups organising accommodation, transport and food.
Our thrifty kiwis were able to very quickly find money saving cuts, keeping cash in the coffers, or money belts, to spend
on luxuries at the end of the trip.
The acclimatisation phase of the trip was in Khao Yai, a national park north of Bangkok. The team sorted the transport
that took us to the location about three hours north of Bangkok. Unfortunately we arrived at the busiest time of the year
and found the camping spot back-to-back with tents crammed into the camp site. However, while this was probably not
the best way to adjust to our new Asian environment, it was a good time to get to know the team leader and the way in
which the group would need to work over the weeks ahead.
On returning to Bangkok, we took the overnight train to Chiangmai from where the trek would start. The team made the
arrangements to connect with the trek organiser and once a minor medical issue (a reaction to the malaria medication)
was worked through we departed for Chiang Dao for the four day trek. Making sure enough water was carried was
the most important aspect for the next few days as students adjusted to hiking in hot, sticky conditions. Over-nighting
in a village and then a lycée plantation were all exciting components of this trek plus the coffee plantation that the trek
passed through. This was particularly exciting for all those suffering from caffeine deprivation.