WORLD CHALLENGE EXPEDITION TO THAILAND  

On opening the weekly meeting of Donaghadee Rotary Club on Thursday 1 Sept 2005 President Peter Irwin said that the member’s thoughts were with their fellow Rotarians affected by the hurricane Katrina disaster, the full affects of which were just beginning to become known to the world at large.  

It then became obvious that the meeting was to be a family affair as President Peter then introduced his son Matthew as the guest speaker. Matthew had been a member of the Bangor Grammar School party taking part in the 2005 World Challenge Expedition to Thailand. Matthew then proceeded to give a very interesting and professional talk on the subject using a power point presentation and three laptop computers.  

He explained that the expedition was first announced in the school in October 2003 when over twenty-five pupils expressed an interest in going. As a result of various meetings and fund raising schemes, which included running in the Belfast Marathon, selling quiz sheets and various other individual efforts. The final number was reduced to eleven, which included two teachers.  

The thinking behind the expedition was to provide the participants with a life changing experience, a goal to aim for, an adventure and also provide a learning curve.  

The training for the expedition concentrated on leadership, teamwork and other necessary skills.    The itinerary for the trip fell into 4 main stages,Acclimatisation, 6 days, Project Phase 6 days,       Trekking Phase, 7 Days and Rest and Relaxation 4 Days.  Travel and rest days in various cities were also included.    

The party flew out of Belfast on 29^th June 2005 and arrived in Dubai on 30^th and in Bangkok on the 1^st July. Three days were spent in Bangkok acclimatising to the heat, humidity, sights, sounds and smells of the country. Another three nights were spent in Khao Yai National Park sleeping in hut accommodation, with treks to Heaw,Suwat waterfall and to a look out point. The party then visited Ayutthya the first capital of Thailand. The next city visited was Chiang Mai capital of Northern Thailand renowned for its massive night bazaar. This provided the last chance for western food.

Next came the project phase when six days were spent building a well for the Akha tribe in Northern Thailand. The party were accommodated in the villager’s houses during this phase. This was followed by a seven-day trek through mountains in the Chiang Dar region. This involved sleeping in hammocks and on hut floors. A period off R and R in Kanchanaburi enabled them to visit the infamous Bridge Over The River Kwai, the Jeath museum and Hellfire pass. A night was spent at Ko Samet a holiday location consisting of a beautiful beach and bars before the long trip home.

The trip gained the participants an experience of leadership, teamwork, organisational skills, motivation and the ability to remain calm when under pressure.

Past President Jack McKeag thanked Matthew for his interesting talk and complemented him on its structured nature. He commented that it might have been even more interesting had Matthews father not been present. He concluded by saying that it was obvious from Matthews’s enjoyment of the trip that he had got a lot out of it.

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