Week 9 in Koh Lanta
We are back on island time! Which means we’re probably sipping on a coconut somewhere and running late to everything…including sending this newsletter, Whoops!
This week we’ve reached our third and final destination on the Belatrusa 2018 program, which is hard to believe! We are now calling Thailand home on beautiful Koh Lanta, one of several islands just off the western coast of Krabi.
We can’t wait to spend our last month together relaxing on the beach and catching a fiery sunset every evening!
Weekly Highlights:
This week we’re featuring amazing snaps from all of our participants! Feel free to check out their Instagram accounts and drop them a note if you’re interested in learning more about their travel experiences.
Rice Paddy Pose
Classic photo op with the scenic backdrop during a day trip to Ubud.
You can follow Victoria on Instagram at@veivei97…and read all about her right here!
Smiling on the Mekong
The Vietnamese experience isn’t complete without the conical hat and a float down the Mekong.
Cassie’s adventures are on Instagram at @cassie.fitzpatrick…and her unconventional education path is right this way.
Temple Tiptoeing
The Hoa Lu temples in Ninh Binh have those insta-worthy doorframes!
Anna is sharing some of her snaps on Instagram at @anna_gramss…and reveals in her profile how traveling has pulled her out of her comfort zone in all of the best ways!
Ninh Binh
It’s always worth venturing beyond the city limits for the fresh air and incredible views.
Sabrina is displaying her photography skills on Instagram at @sabrina_klr…and discusses her artwork and studies in communication design in her personal bio.
Da Lat
Pulling off the road during a motorbike tour to appreciate the beauty of southern Vietnam!
Guillermo is showcasing his adventure of a lifetime on Instagram at @guillermoherreram…and inspires us all with his amazing story of resilience and ambition as an immigrant in the USA.
Sunrise Salutation
Climbing a volcano for sunrise is one of our all-time favorite memories from this trip!
Rachel maintains a personal Instagram at @rachl.jones and her photography account at @the.snappingturtle…and over here we learn how the ups and downs of her educational experiences has shaped her goals.
Cliffs of Uluwatu
Gorgeous lookout point on the southern tip of Bali!
Katie tracks her travels on Instagram @kjs89okstate…and tells us how it has impacted her career and personal development.
A Day in the Life:
This week we followed Sabrina for a day! This is what she got up to:
6am — 7:30am “Me” time
I absolutely love sunrises and sunsets. So I get up early, grab a book and my towel to make my way to the beach — which is only a 7 minute walk from our accommodation! Laying in a hammock while being alone at the beach, watching the sun rise and reading a good thriller at the same time is a perfect start to the day for me.
7:30am — 9am Morning swim and breakfast
Since we have a pool at our accommodation I swim some laps every morning to complete my daily workout. After that, an omelette and a big ice-cold banana smoothie for breakfast to refuel.
9am — 10:30am PUPPIES!
One of the best things on Koh Lanta is the Animal Welfare Centre. It’s a non-profit charity that creates new lives for rescued cats and dogs. You can help them out by showing a little love to the kittens or stepping in as a dog walker. After spending some time cuddling cats, I take a dog out for a walk on the beach. A must-do for all animal lovers!
10:30am — 3pm Scooter adventures, work, lunch
Time to get some work done. I discovered that I love riding a scooter, and it’s the best way to explore the island. It’s only a 30 minute drive to the Old Town of Koh Lanta on the other side of the island. So I make my way over with my fellow Edumads to be productive and eat lunch with a beautiful sea view.
3pm — 4:30pm Editing videos and photos
As I take many photos and videos on this trip I need some time to sort and edit them. It’s going to be part of my university studies so it’s a good way to practice!
4:30pm — 6:30pm Time off
As soon as I come back home I either jump in the pool or go to the beach to cool down. After that I take a shower and a power nap to survive the night.
6:30pm — 11pm Sunset, Thai food, drinks
Around this time I meet other Edumads to watch the sunset at the beach and eat dinner. Thai food is one of my faves and also pretty cheap here. Afterwards we go out for one or two beers and decide spontaneously if we want to continue dancing at the beach or go to bed early.
