September weather in Thailand can be described in two words: hot and humid. With average temperatures in the 90s and dew points in the high 70s, Thailand introduces a completely new meaning to tropical weather.
From July to October, Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is also in its monsoon season. During these rainy months, Bangkok and surrounding areas experience spurts of heavy rainfall. In the southern provinces of Thailand, monsoon season lasts longer and yields more rain, up to 2,400 millimeters (94.4 inches) a year.
For WorldStrides' Semester in Thailand orientation, my cohort and I had the amazing opportunity to travel to the southern province of Krabi. In partnership with the local organization NatureMind-ed, we took part in various activities, including rock climbing, snorkeling, and kayaking. Despite going during the rainy season, we didn’t let the rain stop our fun. In fact, the consensus among the group was that the rain added to the sense of adventure and awe we experienced during our excursions. Luckily, I had a waterproof camera to capture it all!
Snorkeling Among the Coral
To get to the islands where we snorkeled, my group and I rode in long-tail boats native to Thailand. These boats have a propeller attached to an engine with a long shaft, allowing the captain to direct the boat using various maneuvers and rope techniques. Long-tail boats may vary in style and size but are ubiquitous across Thailand.
After the 45-minute ride, we donned our snorkel gear and hopped off the boats into the turquoise water. By this time, the rain had started, creating rings in the ocean. The cloudy skies, coupled with the lush greenery of Koh Kai (Chicken Island), created a beautiful scene.
The rain on the surface didn’t affect our views underwater. Through our snorkeling goggles, we saw countless different types of fish, sea plants, and other underwater organisms. Some people even caught a glimpse of a whale shark!
Thailand is also home to diverse species of coral. Reef protection is a big focus locally, and organizations such as NatureMind-ed prioritize educating tourists on how to preserve the coral during water activities.
Kayaking Through the Mangroves
The next day, we went kayaking off the shores of Ao Nang, Krabi. We started off the day in sunshine. We made a pit stop by the thick grove of mangroves off the ocean shore. An interesting fact we learned about mangroves is that, due to the salty growth conditions, every mangrove leaf grouping stores excess salt in one leaf, causing it to turn yellow and have an extremely salty taste when bitten into.
Thailand’s weather turns quickly, and thick storm clouds soon replaced the clear skies. Sharp bullets of rain started pelting into us, and the water became very rough. Visibility was low, making it hard to navigate. Fortunately, we looked out for each other and made sure we all kept up with the group.
After fighting against the waves, we made it into a somewhat sheltered cove. We docked our kayaks and basked in the steady downpour. Though our belongings and bodies were soaked, our spirits and sense of adventure were high.
Taking respite from the rain, we were in awe of nature’s glory. Beams of light shone through the thick greenery of the cove. The precipitation created a thin fog that enveloped the leaves. We also spotted a couple of monkeys taking cover from the rain among the cliffs.
Walking deeper into the cove revealed a small cliff. We climbed up to explore, almost like a mini excursion of our already eventful adventure.
Rain or shine, Krabi proved to be a magical place!