Best Time in Thailand!!!
June 16, 2025
Wow!!! So much has happened over the last few days, and we are truly HAVING THE TIME OF OUR LIVES!!! We’re officially about halfway through our time together, and the memories we’ve made already feel unreal. It honestly feels like we’ve been together for months with how much we’ve done, and every single day is packed with the coolest experiences. We’re constantly in awe of the beauty around us and how unbelievably special this place is.
After our rock climbing adventures, we dove right into our next set of activities. We were able to sleep in a bit the following morning, which was much needed because we had a huge day ahead. After fueling up with a big breakfast, we hopped in a van that took us deep into the lush jungle of Krabi for an epic hike. We were heading to the Khao Hang Nak trail, one of the region’s most scenic routes. At the bottom of the trailhead, we geared up and set off on our six-mile trek.
Almost immediately, we were greeted by waterfalls flowing beside us and steep, unforgiving hills ahead. But the girls absolutely crushed it. Claire and Hayes led the group the entire way with determination and great energy. Make no mistake-this hike was no joke. The Thai summer heat was intense, and the elevation gain was serious, but that didn’t stop anyone. Surrounded by wild jungle flora and tropical sounds, it felt like we had stepped into a movie. We kept spirits high with good music and nonstop conversation. After two hours of pushing uphill, we finally reached the peak-and the view completely blew us away. Jagged peaks stretched for miles in every direction, and we could see the sea sparkling in the distance. We celebrated at the top, took some pictures, and soaked it all in before heading back down as the sun got even stronger. We made great time on the way down, still powered by good tunes and even better company.
When we got back, we were all absolutely wiped. A pool dip and a long nap were much needed. That night, we went back to Glur Pizza-now one of our favorite go-to spots-for a delicious dinner. Their stone-fired pizzas hit the spot as a great change from our usual Thai fare. We shared pizzas, had a great Moonup, and were all out like lights shortly after.
The next morning started bright and early because it was time to kick off the diving portion of the trip!!! With half the group already PADI certified, the rest headed to the dive shop to begin their pool training. Reeves, Virginia, and AK were paired with their dive guide Kevin, who they instantly clicked with. SJ and Ben teamed up with Tomas, and both groups had a full day of lessons ahead. Everyone was eager to learn, and the training group absolutely nailed the skills in the pool.
Meanwhile, Hayes, Clare, Ysonde, and Palmer stayed back at the hotel with Riley and had a calm morning full of yoga and poolside relaxation. Hayes even led some meditation, setting the tone for a super peaceful day. Later, even the already-certified girls had to join the pool session for a quick refresher before diving into the open water. After a full day of training and bonding with our dive guides, we were well on our way to becoming certified divers! We celebrated with a much-deserved treat-visiting a local market for açaí bowls and roll-it-up ice cream. Later, we satisfied our craving for something familiar and headed to a burger spot, which Ysonde and Sj were especially hyped about after so many delicious-but repeated-Pad Thai meals.
The next morning came quickly, and energy was high as we set out for our very first dive in the ocean. We played music and soaked in the excitement as we drove to the dock, where a longtail boat waited to shuttle us to our scuba boat. The boat itself was massive and beautiful-way bigger than a typical scuba boat-and we were welcomed aboard by the incredible Kon-Tiki diving staff. Upstairs, fresh watermelon and pineapple platters were waiting, and the vibes were immaculate.
We split into our dive groups and had our first briefings with the dive guides, going over the day’s dive plans. The weather was absolutely perfect-sunny skies and calm seas-and we could hardly believe how lucky we were. After gearing up, SJ and Ben were put to the test by Tomas and had to set up their dive gear solo. They nailed it and were ready to jump in. Virginia, Reeves, and AK were just as excited to get started, with a few more training skills to complete in the open water. The rest of the group jumped straight into their fun dives.
The water was insanely clear, glowing in shades of electric green and blue. As soon as we descended, we were blown away by the underwater world. We saw clownfish, lionfish, Moorish idols, vibrant coral reefs-and some groups even spotted rays! After surfacing, we grabbed some muffins, tanned on the deck, and relaxed before dive number two. Our second dive was just as stunning, followed by a delicious Thai lunch onboard. Palmer and AK read their books, some of the girls tanned at the front of the boat, and we finished off the day with a swim surrounded by islands.
That night, we had an early dinner at one of our favorite spots-Jungle Kitchen. Ysonde and Palmer went straight for their go-to pineapple fried rice, while Clare couldn’t resist another round of Pad Thai. Naturally, we capped the meal with mango sticky rice.
The following day was another early start, and somehow, the weather was even better than before. We were headed to the famous Phi Phi Islands, known for their incredible beaches and diving. The two-hour boat ride flew by thanks to our epic boat and some intense games of Uker, which Clare taught Ben and Riley.
Arriving at the Phi Phi Islands felt like stepping into a postcard. We debriefed with our guides and set off for another incredible round of dives. The visibility was amazing, and the marine life was unreal-huge schools of fish, colorful coral, starfish, and even black tip reef sharks! Kevin spotted them first with Reeves, Virginia, and AK, but on the second dive, we all got a glimpse. Ysonde was especially excited to see a shark up close.
The second dive also marked a huge moment-everyone was now officially PADI certified! It was such a proud and exciting accomplishment after days of hard work. We celebrated on the boat, danced to music, and soaked in the island views. Back at the hotel, we cooled off in the pool before setting off for a 45-minute beach walk to catch the sunset.
The walk led us to a bustling night market packed with food stalls and an amazing atmosphere. Everyone tried something different-Ysonde got dumplings, Hayes and Palmer grabbed Mexican street food, Virginia and Reeves picked up mango smoothies-and we all ate together at a big table. Live music started, and of course, we ended up dancing. Riley taught Ben, Hayes, and AK how to swing dance, and then a hilarious dance battle broke out between Hayes and Riley. We were all cracking up. Too tired to walk back, we piled into a tuk tuk with Bluetooth speakers and jammed to music the whole way home.
Today, we had our final dive as fully certified divers. Once again, the weather was perfect-clear skies and calm waters. The visibility was great, and the dives were unforgettable. Clare captured it all with her amazing underwater photography skills. We wrapped up our time on the boat that had become our second home and said a bittersweet goodbye to the incredible Kon-Tiki crew.
Back at the hotel, we treated ourselves to Thai teas and local sodas before heading to Glur Pizza one last time for our final dinner in the south. We sat around the table talking and laughing for hours. After a beautiful final Moonup in Krabi, we started packing for Chiang Mai.
While we’re sad to leave this stunning part of Thailand, we’re beyond excited for the next chapter of the trip. Every day just keeps getting better, and the bonds we’re forming are something really special. We can’t wait to see what the rest of this adventure has in store-we are all having an absolute blast.
🐘 🐠 ⛰️ 🐒 – Ben and Riley!!!!!
Hello Thailand Families and Friends!
June 11, 2025
Our adventure in Thailand has just begun, and somehow it already feels like we’ve known each other for a lifetime. From the moment we landed in Bangkok, the energy and excitement from this group of girls have been completely infectious. We’ve already made so many unforgettable memories, and the bonds forming are something really special to witness.
After meeting up at the airport, we headed to the Bangkok Ivory Hotel for our first night. The girls got settled into their rooms, and we shared our first dinner together. That evening, we held our first Moonup…our nightly tradition where we reflect on the day and dive into meaningful conversations. SJ and Reeves were selected as our first Leaders of the Day, and they kicked things off beautifully.
After some much-needed sleep following a long travel day, we woke up bright and early for our first full day in Bangkok. Breakfast was an exciting change… Phad Thai and fresh fruit instead of the usual American breakfast. We met our amazing tour guide Apple and climbed aboard the most epic bus ever…karaoke machine included. Music blasting and energy high, we cruised into the city.
The girls were immediately captivated by the intricate and unique architecture of Bangkok. Apple and her trusty capybara stuffed animal mascot led us to the Grand Palace, a breathtaking complex of temples and buildings that showcase Thailand’s rich Buddhist history. The Grand Palace was home to the Kings of Siam for centuries and houses the revered Emerald Buddha. Claire was soaking it all in, capturing every moment on her camera. Inside one of the temples, we even saw the remains of one of the oldest Buddhas in the region.
Next, we explored a fashion exhibit featuring Thailand’s traditional textile…Hayes was especially into it. Apple then took us across the river to explore bustling local street markets filled with authentic Thai food stalls. For lunch, we tucked into a super local restaurant where the girls tried everything from curry to Phad Thai and ended the meal with the absolute highlight-mango sticky rice. After exploring more of the city, we returned to the hotel for some well-deserved rest and a few competitive rounds of cards.
The next morning, we got to sleep in before our travel day to Krabi Beach. We made a quick stop at a Thai mall and explored a bunch of shops. SJ and Palmer were thrilled to try Thai Starbucks and gave rave reviews to the unique menu. We returned to the hostel for more card games before heading to the airport. When we arrived in Krabi, we were stunned…Green View Village is nestled among beautiful mountains, and each room has a balcony overlooking the scenery. After a delicious outdoor Thai dinner, we turned in, ready for another day of adventure.
The next morning greeted us with a rainbow-perfect for our big day of rock climbing! We met Jay, our awesome climbing guide, and his team, and hopped onto longtail boats for an epic ocean ride. The towering cliffs and lush mountains had everyone saying it felt like a scene out of Avatar. Ysonde captured the whole ride on her GoPro while soaking it all in with Riley. The rain started to fall, but it only made the day more cinematic. We hiked through a magical cave path and emerged at Railay Beach, our climbing spot for the day.
The guides set up four routes of varying difficulty, and the girls were naturals. Reeves and AK climbed like pros-everyone was so impressed. After a few hours of climbing, we sat down for a family-style Thai lunch, then hit the ocean for some beach games. Riley, Ben, Ysonde, and Virginia went head-to-head in some epic chicken fights in the waves. It was unreal swimming in such a jaw-dropping setting.
But the day wasn’t over-our guides took us into the jungle to explore some wild caves with panoramic views of the ocean. Claire said it felt like we were in The Goonies. We climbed through the dimly lit caverns until we reached a point where we’d be rappelling out. Reeves bravely volunteered to go first and crushed it. Hayes was being super funny and was singing Swag Surf aa she went down. Everyone faced their fears and had a blast scaling down. We wrapped up the day with a swim in the hotel pool and another delicious dinner-SJ was especially excited to try her first-ever chicken Phad Thai.
The next morning, we woke up early for another round of rock climbing-this time at a new jungle location. The climbs were higher and the views even more stunning, with ocean to our left and jungle to our right. Between climbs, we played our favorite group games like Shake and Pop. Afterward, we returned to Railay Beach for a few more hours of wave-jumping, island exploring, and long chats in the sun.
Tomorrow, we’re headed on a hiking adventure and then it’s time to kick off scuba! This group has been nothing short of AMAZING so far, and we can’t wait to see where the rest of this journey takes us.
🫶🏻🕺 Ben and Riley
SHOUT OUTS!!!
Virginia-hey mom dad and Lee I’ve had soooo much fun I’ve eaten an ungodly amount of rice but it’s real good. I’ve learned I’m bad at rock climbing but rapeling is cool. Anyways love yall send p and e my love byeeeee
SJ- hi mom, dad, and Libby!! I miss y’all but I’m having so much fun!! I’m actually good at rock climbing. Can’t wait to see y’all! Give the dogs a big hug and kiss for me. Love y’all!!!!!
Palmer- Hey everyone, This is CRAZY!!! Yesterday we went rock climbing and then repelled out of these caves that were straight out of The Goonies. Having so much fun and missing you (especially Snoop)!
Claire – Hello from Thailand! This place is so otherworldly, it’s amazing!! Margot, have a good birthday in a few days, have fun! I hope everyone is doing well, and I can’t wait to reconnect with you all when I get back.
AK- hi!! This is the coolest place ever! The food is so good! We went rock climbing yesterday and it was so much fun! We’re going again today. I miss yall! Tell Maggie hi for me!
Hayes- hey! I love Thailand! It’s so cool! We are going rock climbing today. I love and miss y’all! Everyone rides motorcycles! Y’all would love Thailand, especially you dad!
Ysonde- Hiii family + Jayden!! We are on our second day in Krabi and it is genuinely so beautiful here. And the food is the best thing I have ever had I am not kidding. My fav is the Pad See Ew and the curry. I love all of yall!!!
Reeves – Hi! I miss all of you! Yesterday we went rock climbing and it was really fun. We also went in a bat cave and hiked around. I love yall!
Safe Arrival to Thailand!
June 7, 2025
Hello Thailand 1C Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Bangkok! The trip is off to a great start, and we cannot wait to hear more stories from their adventure! Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
