Sixteen of our incredible students recently returned from an adventurous journey like no other, having successfully completed their Duke of Edinburgh International Award expeditions. Two Silver groups and one Gold group spent a week in Thailand, kayaking an impressive 65km over five days. Paddling through open waters to remote islands, exploring stunning mangrove forests, and reaching secluded beaches, they fully immersed themselves in the challenge.
Camping on the islands for four nights, they embraced the true spirit of adventure—cooking for themselves, adapting to the elements, and engaging with the local culture.
Along the way, they faced sunburn, heavy rainstorms, relentless ants, powerful waves, and strong currents, but their resilience, teamwork, and determination saw them through. Every student rose to the challenge, proving their strength and commitment, and ultimately completing their expedition with success.
This was more than just a physical journey—it was a test of character, and they passed with flying colours!
—— IA Coordinator Mr. Graeme
Embarking on a six-day kayaking trip in Thailand was an adventure that included not only physical challenges but also profound connections with nature and local culture.
We spent our first kayaking trip on the shores of Phuket, kayaking mangrove forests.
Paddling in double kayaks, we observed a variety of local wildlife, including lizards, monkeys and numerous bird species.
The local guide A shared his personal story of how he started to become a tourist guide 10 years ago when the fish in these waters disappeared due to industrialisation and global warming, forcing him to change his way of making a living.
One of my most memorable part of the trip was the first morning we spent on Koi Yao Noi island. Me and my friends woke up at half-past-six in the morning to watch the sunrise at the beach.
The tide has receded nearly 200 meters, allowing us to walk a long distance across the exposed seabed, even to the nearby island.
As we strolled, we encountered various sea creatures, like round-shaped crabs and sand dollars, many of which I have never seen before. The sunrise was also breathtaking, with the sky painted in colours of orange and pink. The experience of this natural beauty was a highlight for me.
We spent 5 days and 4 nights on Koi Yao Noi island for our adventurous journey. The first two days were difficult. It was my first ever chance to kayak in the open sea, where the wind and waves were at a whole new level compared to the practices we made in a calm bay.
The hardest part was the first day, because we were heading east and the wind was coming from north, it was hard to keep the kayak in the right direction. Paddling the wind definitely made that day’s journey more challenging.
The final day of kayaking was the most exhilarating and happiest. We were kayaking in the same direction as the waves. And as we already had 3 days of experience of catching the waves, riding the waves wasn’t hard.
The rhythmic motion of the sea added to the joyful experience. The best part was when we arrived at Koh Nok, and climbed up to the island’s peak.
The climb was steep and difficult, but the stunning view at the top made the effort worthwhile. We were able to see the whole area of water we kayaked through, a perfect site to see how much we had accomplished.
I would recommend this kayaking adventure to anyone seeking thrilling outdoor challenges and a meaningful cultural experience.
This trip not only provided me with new experiences of getting in touch with nature, but also memorable moments with my friends, like chatting on the starlit beach and roaming the streets of Phuket old town.
- Article / Martina Jiang, Mr. Graeme
