White Water Rafting - Warren & Betsy Talbot

“White Water Rafting.” These three words have existed near the top of our “life’s goals” list for some time. We both shared a healthly dose of both fear of this adventure as well as a sense of excitement. Finally, after years of anticipation we overcame our fears and took the plunge, both figuratively and literally. Last month we summoned up the courage and joined a small group to venture outside of Chiang Mai, Thailand in order to Try Something New. It was more exciting than we could have hoped and has hooked us on the fun and excitement that white water rafting can offer. It’s a great example that trying something new can lead to more fun that you can imagine. Check out the video we made of our experience as well as the information about our latest adventure below.

Be sure to check out the resources to this week’s issue in the sidebar if you are looking to give the gift of a new video camera that can work underwater or shoes that can start a conversation.

Until next time, we hope you try something new.

What we did right:

• We took the recommendations of our hotel staff and friends for which company to choose
• Asked our friends who had done it what to expect so we could ease our fears. The trip advertised Class 3 & 4 rapids, which had us rather nervous. By talking about the experience with our friends we gained a better awareness of what the day would entail and ended up being prepared for all aspects of the trip.
• Took a waterproof video camera with us because a camera can’t be used due to water and the fact that your hands are always occupied. Check out the video above for the results.
• We paid attention to the safety lesson and practiced commands in calm water with our instructors so we’d be ready for rapids. This also helped us feel more comfortable before we got into the boat.

What we wished we had done:

The only thing we wish we had done was to try out white water rafting earlier in our trip. However, life is too short for regrets so now we excited for what lies ahead.

What did we get out of it?:

• Fun - As you can see from the video we laughed and screamed out loud our the entire time down the river.
• Exhilaration - Approaching our first set of class 4 rapids we were filled with a mix of fear and excitement. The sound of the water pouring past the rocks creates a roar, which intensifies as you pick up speed and continue to paddle to control the angle. However, the fear rapidly fades and huge smiles spread across our faces. We realized that we were really living in the moment, enjoying each new deluge of water and section of rapids.
• A new view of Thailand - floating on a river gives you a very different perspective of an area. As we floated we were able to see new birds and vegetation that seems intent on covering every inch of space beside the river.
• New memories - The fun and excitement of riding down the river in an inflatable raft is something that we thoroughly enjoyed. However, one of the greatest highlights was passing a group of elephants bathing themselves on the shore. It was a moment that encapsulated all the ideas we had of Thailand and we floated by them with our mouths open, repeating the phrase “holy crap, there are elephants….right there”.

What we would recommend for you if you want to try this:

• Get recommendations of operators. We had some great friends who had done the trip a couple weeks before us and recommended our tour company, Siam River Adventures.
• Suntan lotion - bring it and use a lot. You will be on the water for a few hours and don’t want to regret your decision the next day if you end up burned from head to toe.
• Ensure that the river is flowing well. While it is technically possible to float down many rivers throughout the year, it is clear that different seasons and rainfall totals will significantly change the level of the water. Check with locals for information before you book.
• Most tour companies provide photos of the experience for an additional charge. There is simply no good way to take photos while you are bouncing down the river. Ask about this when you are booking to ensure you get some pictures of the day.

Would we do it again?

Absolutely! This was such an enjoyable experience that we’d love to do white water rafting in every country we visit. We are hooked and are so happy that we overcame our fears and tried something new. Now we have a new set of memories and a day we will not forget.

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Coming up next: we interview a woman that just completed her first volunteer vacation, spending months with the gauchos of Argentina. It is a story which will inspire you to plan your own volunteer vacation by the end.

In addition to trying new things, we all need to clear out space in our lives in order to make room for new experiences. Getting Rid of It provides you with the step-by-step process we used to sell everything we owned in preparation for this journey. We cover the emotional aspects of getting rid of sentimental pieces and the practical tips for selling your items on Craigslist. Get it today at Amazon.