28/09/2022

This has to be the best trip we’ve done.

I’ve never been white-water rafting or rafting in general. It’s an experience I would want to do over and over again. We started off today by familiarizing ourselves with the way of the river before getting into groups. We were put into a group with Maya, Thisath, Sho-Ji and Chirath as well as our 2 guides/ people from borderlands. A group I didn’t think would work but we worked really well together! We kept a good pace, paddled at the same time and avoided each other falling out of the raft into the water. Going through the rapids was so much fun especially when we were told to sit in the centre of the boat as we knew it meant we would be going through very fast flowing water as well as rocks. In the times of recovery we splashed other teams with our paddles and laughed loudly.

After our rafting we got out of the river to another one to go canyoning. There is quite literally a surprise around every corner as you have no clue if you’re going to slide, jump or potentially swim. You have to have trust in the person guiding you down that part of the river. Trust. That’s something very important to have in a team. Not only to be able to trust others but also have the ability to make others trust you. To have people trust you is such a beautiful thing as it shows that you’ve made them feel comfortable around you. I know we struggle with trusting others especially after what others have done in our lives whether it be big or small… but I know that when you experience this (people trusting you) that you will feel the same towards them as well.

We then headed back to the river to float down it. Since everyone in the group knows how to swim, we hopped in and floated on our backs through some rapids. It was so cool to feel the water push you downstream and then gather with your friends. We laughed loudly as Antoine found the latest swimming position. Head underwater with your but and legs poking out to the surface like a duck, and at Oliver’s commentary that his head was buoyant enough to keep him afloat. Matthew wittily remarked how it meant his head must be empty and hollow. Seeing our mama swim and try to get to us was hilarious as we both struggled against the current to get to each other.

Getting settled into camp went smoothly and we soon discovered the joys of a tire swing. A highlight has to be going to our room alone to get a snack whilst the crickets chirped under the velvet cover of the night sky and being greeted by a feline companion, sitting on the window sill begging to be pet and meowing in distaste when we stopped. I brought the cat to show the rest (which the cat didn’t mind) and Lara, Maya and Shinara were instantly delighted. Maybe this trip won’t be to bad after all.

Cover Image Credit: Me