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Announcements

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Arctic Gold Expedition

Enjoying our snowy updates from the comfort of your armchair? …

What We Do

This is what we do video. Settling for mediocrity is …

Young Expedition Leaders Programme

Was that the best yet? We had an absolutely Fabulous …

Royal Geographical Society

Mat has been made a fellow at the Royal Geographical …

Tour du Mont Blanc Expedition

We are pleased to bring you the chance to join …

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Webinars

Each month we explore a different destination and discuss how to go there and be safe while getting a real experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

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Travel Tricks 5 – Webinar Summary for Thailand

Webinar Summary for Thailand

About the Destination: Join us as we explore Spirit Mountain in Krabi, Thailand, a breath-taking location known for its towering limestone karst formations and rich biodiversity. This unique setting provides the perfect backdrop for discussing ecosystem restoration and sustainable practices. Today, we’re diving into sustainable travel tips for Thailand. This webinar covers everything from hydration in the heat to engaging with local culture and supporting sustainable tourism.

About the Guest Speaker: Our special guest, Pierre Echaubard, is a French ecologist with a PhD in ecology. Pierre leads transformative education programs focused on ecosystem restoration in Thailand. His work spans forests, mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs, emphasizing the importance of understanding and preserving complex ecological dynamics. He focuses on implementing ecosystem restoration principles rather than simply planting trees or coral.

“If you want to save coral reefs, you need to understand what’s going on, on land.”

Takeaways

Ecosystem restoration involves more than just planting trees or coral; it requires observing and understanding ecosystem dynamics.

“Adopting more of an ecological approach, letting nature do because she does better than we do.”

Mangroves play a critical role in coastal ecosystems, including carbon sequestration and providing habitat for wildlife.

Holistic approaches and adaptive management are essential in ecological restoration.

Reconnecting with nature and cultivating a sense of belonging and care for the environment is crucial for sustainable practices.

Engaging with local communities and incorporating their knowledge and livelihoods is important in ecosystem restoration efforts.

Travel Tricks Tips

  • Heat Management:
    • Stay Hydrated: It’s crucial to drink plenty of water. Aim for at least 4-5 litres per day, especially if engaging in physical activities like climbing. Consider adding electrolytes to your water to replace lost minerals.
    • Timing Your Activities: Plan outdoor activities for early morning or late evening to avoid the peak heat. Use the middle of the day for indoor activities like visiting museums or taking a siesta.
    • Sun Protection: Use suncream, wear hats, and protect your skin from the sun. The UV index is high, and sunburn can happen quickly, especially when diving or spending time near water.
  • Mosquito Protection:
    • Dengue fever, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, peaks in the rainy season (August-September). It’s not usually lethal but causes severe discomfort.
    • Wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts, particularly around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Use insect repellent and sleep with a fan or in an air-conditioned room to keep mosquitoes at bay.
  • Food and Water Safety:
    • Most restaurant water is filtered, making ice generally safe. However, if you have a sensitive stomach, avoid ice from unknown sources and drink bottled or filtered water.
    • Choose street food vendors with high hygiene standards. Look for busy stalls with high turnover of food to ensure freshness and reduce the risk of illness.
  • Climbing and Physical Activities:
    • When engaging in physical activities like climbing, monitor your hydration levels by checking the colour of your urine. Dark urine indicates dehydration.
    • In high humidity, you’ll sweat more, so drink water consistently throughout the day.

Experiencing Local Culture

  1. Adopt a Relaxed Attitude: Embrace the slower pace of life in Thailand and be patient with different cultural norms and practices.
  2. Engage with Locals: Step out of tourist areas and interact with locals. They are generally kind and willing to help, making your travel experience richer and more authentic.
  3. Respectful Interaction: Smile, be calm, and maintain a positive attitude, understanding that maintaining ‘face’ is important in Thai culture. Even if language barriers exist, non-verbal communication and a friendly demeanour go a long way.

Sustainable Travel Tips

  1. Support Local Economies: Opt for homestays and community-based tourism to directly benefit local communities. This approach often provides more authentic experiences and supports sustainable development.
  2. Eco-Friendly Practices: Reduce plastic use by carrying a reusable water bottle with a filter, like the GeoPress by Grail. Fill it up at safe water sources to avoid buying bottled water.
  3. Transportation: Consider traveling by bus instead of flying. Buses in Thailand are comfortable, often with options for sleeping and working during the journey.

Upcoming Festivals and Events

  • Songkran Festival (April): Celebrate the Thai New Year with water fights and cultural festivities.
  • Loi Krathong (November): Participate in this beautiful festival by floating decorated baskets on water to pay respects to the water spirits.
  • Rewild Festival (December): Join this unique festival focused on reconnecting with nature through music, art, and mindful movement practices.

Useful Thai Phrases

  1. Greetings: “Sawadee ka” (for women) / “Sawadee khap” (for men) – Hello.
  2. Thank You: “Khop khun ka” (for women) / “Khop khun khap” (for men).
  3. Politeness: Add “ka” (for women) or “khap” (for men) at the end of sentences to be polite.

Useful Thai words and phrases to learn

Thank You and Next Steps

Special thanks to Pierre and his team at NatureMinded. Check out their work and upcoming events on their Facebook page and soon-to-be-launched website. Discover more about Pierre’s organization, Nature Minded, and explore opportunities to visit and learn at Spirit Mountain. Whether it’s rock climbing, participating in ecological restoration projects, or simply soaking in the serene environment, there’s something for every nature enthusiast.

Safe travels and see you next time! Drop us an email to find out how you can take a group on expedition to Thailand.

Contact Information and Links

  • NatureMinded Website and Facebook Page: https://naturemind-ed.com/ https://www.facebook.com/NatureMinded
  • GeoPress Water Filter: GeoPress by Grail https://amzn.to/3Kjp5Tj

Travel Tricks 4 – Live from the Arctic!

Join us for a chat about all things travel… this time its a bit different as we are live on location in the Arctic… Come and find out what a Quinsy is… Here from some of the students…. Find out our recommendations for gloves… Plus inspirational thoughts from Matt Messias! Our Travel Tricks series is an interactive webinar format where we discuss a Bucket List destination, give organisational tips for travelling, chat about staying safe while on adventures, showcase pieces of kit, and answer all your questions…

Travel Tricks Episode-3 Machu Picchu, Peru Edition

ravel Tricks Webinar 3 – Machu Picchu, Peru Edition Join us for a chat about all things travel… this time we are taking a closer look at travelling in Peru and visiting Machu Picchu.

Join us for a chat about all things travel… this time we are taking a closer look at travelling in Peru and visiting Machu Picchu. Organisational Tips – Being safe – What’s the biggest danger in Peru? – Picking good guides – Coping with Injury Kit discussion – Theft Deterrent – Hats and bug nets – Clothing layers

Travel Tricks Episode-2 Arctic Edition

Travel Tricks episode 2 – Arctic Edition Join us for a chat about all things travel… this time we are taking a closer look at travelling in Arctic, Finland.

Organisational Tips – Routine adaptations to cold weather – when will lunch be? – Contingency planning – Being on time isn’t just about being polite – Driving in Finland Kit discussion – Snow Gators – Protection from midges – Water bottles

Travel Tricks Webinar 1 – Borneo Edition

Travel Tricks episode 1 – Borneo Edition Join us for a chat about all things travel… this time we are taking a closer look at travelling in Borneo. Organisational Tips – Being safe – What’s the biggest danger in Borneo?

Jabs & Health Insurance – Booking flights Kit discussion – Snake Gators – Bug Spray options – Water purification kit Our Travel Tricks series is an interactive webinar format where we discuss a Bucket List destination, give organisational tips for travelling, chat about staying safe while on adventures, showcase pieces of kit, and answer all your questions…

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skills

Bag Packing Video

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My Experience

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I’ve had my fair share of moments where I have felt that my body has failed me. Every time I

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Being Comfortable in the cold

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Uncategorized

Teachers Resource – Nettle Nipping Maths Challenge

One of our favourite activities to do with young people is to show them the wonders of what is around

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