Day 8: Patrick Donahue

Hello everyone, My name is Patrick Donahue and I am a sophomore at Massachusetts Maritime Academy having graduated from East Bridgewater High School.

I started my day with a good breakfast and then traveled to Khao Yai National Park, which was about a two-and-a-half-hour ride. I learned about the history of the land and how the people of Thailand take lots of pride in preserving it. This was clear to see when we went hiking through the forest. We stopped at a temple to pay our respects to a man who started the act of preserving this national park. Visitors to Khao Yai and passers-by usually stop to pay respect for good luck and blessings at the Chao Por Khao Yai shrine.

When arriving I saw a monkey for the first time which was crazy to see and they were everywhere. I made sure to hold on tight to my phone, wallet, and sunglasses because I had heard the monkeys are known to steal things out of curiosity. Then we were off to meet our guide and start the hike.

The guide we had with us was a park ranger and he showed us lots of things, like plants we could eat and how they have been used in medicine for many years. Some trees bled red liquid when they were cut like humans, along with different types of wood that smelled like cinnamon and another similar to whiskey.

As we continued to trek through the forest we reached an opening in the land, the scenery was like nothing I have ever seen. It was extraordinary, the land was hilly with regions of dry red dirt, but it had clear ponds filled with wildlife. Even though it was very dry it seemed to be surrounded by a green forest. It was the most unpredictable place I have ever been, and I did not know what to expect at every turn. We could see a lookout tower in the distance which we eventually arrived at. I looked out the windows of the tower and was amazed at the beauty and diversity of the landscape. I saw mountains in the distance with towers even farther and it felt as if I could see for miles.

I bought my lunch and sat down ready to eat while keeping my eyes in the back of my head. I don’t trust these monkeys, they kind of scare me and I quickly learned that I was correct. A monkey ran up behind me and I jumped out of the way while it sat there and ate my plate of food.

I slept as much as I could throughout the ride home until I woke up at a fruit stand. Here I tried my first ever “mini mango”, and it was delicious.

Shortly after, we arrived back at AIT. That is where I am writing this blog, and I have to say I am privileged to be doing this. I am beyond excited to see where this trip and the experience will bring to me and my classmates!