I have a few travel goals, but ultimately, I am looking to grow as a person. I’m constantly doing this throughout all my travels, but I came across one country in particular, that just felt like life’s classroom—that country is Thailand. From Thai massage, to rock climbing high above the open ocean—I’ll be sharing with you 5 skills that I picked up in this country, which has expanded both the person I am, along with my perspective on life itself.

Thai Massage

Receiving my certification in Thai massage, from Mr. Bann and his wife Joy.

This is something that was initially way out of my comfort zone. I had not been all that cozy with touching up on someone I didn’t know, especially when it came to my worries of glancing “man junk”. From the massages I had in Thailand, all I knew is that they felt great when they were done right, and that they were fairly complex. What could I pick up in a matter of days? Well, if you find the right master as did I, you can walk away knowing the intricate sequence and positions for a 2 hour massage, along with the ability to perform various healing techniques.

Mr. Bann Comfort International

I studied for over 2 weeks under Mr. Bann, and his wonderful wife Joy. Mr. Bann alone, has over 25 years of experience in Thai massage. I highly recommend that you make the trip to Pai, Thailand, to study under him.

Official Website: www.paithailandtraining.com

Meditation

I spent hours, practicing my walking meditation.

Within a forest monastery, for 4 days and 3 nights, I plunged myself both physically and mentally into practicing meditation. I never once tried formal meditation before this. Maybe a few times a year, I would close my eyes, and try to “clear the mind”. I didn’t come back from this experience knowing how to bring about world peace, but I did come back with a new awareness, along with being incredibly relaxed. More importantly, I found a new tool for keeping myself focused.

I wrote fully about my time at a meditation center, within this blog post: A Thailand Meditation Retreat Experience

Scuba Certification

Getting the gear ready for a dive.

Thailand is where you can dive at rock bottom prices, within exotic waters. Grab an internationally recognized PADI certification here on the cheap, and you’ll basically be getting the key to the underwater kingdom (it also allows you to dive safely with a professional dive shop or a fellow certified dive buddy).

I had a couple PADI certifications already, but I wanted to become a safer scuba diver, along with obtaining the ability to help others if a dive emergency was to ever occur—so I set out to become to a Rescue Diver. I did this on the island of Koh Tao, which sits in the Gulf of Thailand. When I wasn’t studying or diving, I was partying it up with some crazy cool people in paradise.

Always good times on Koh Tao.

Not only do I have the abilities and confidence to respond to an underwater emergency, I am now also capable of coming to aid during many medical emergencies (as an emergency first responder).

Muy Thai Boxing

I have to admit, I’m more of a lover than a fighter. However, I could not pass up the opportunity to practice muy thai for a week, while I was in the far north of Thailand. I’m all about fitness, and muy thai training was quite the physical challenge. My first day involved doing sit-ups, while being punched in the stomach; grappling with someone quite larger than me; and throwing hundreds of punches, kicks, knees, and elbows over the course of 4 hours.

The trainers of Charn Chai.

At Charn Chai in Pai, Thailand, the trainers are top notch, and there is plenty of one-on-one time. Sparring is also optional, in the case that you’re mainly just interested in the fitness aspect of muy thai training. Also, despite how vicious these men and women can be in the ring, almost everyone I’ve met at the gym were incredibly nice and friendly.

Deep Water Soloing

Climbing high above the water

My experience of deep water soloing, involves taking a traditional “long tail” boat to the base of different rock formations, jutting high above the open ocean. From here you climb-and-climb—but success often only brings dread, as there is only way off this climb, and that involves jumping (or falling) straight down into the water.

Taking the plunge

One of the more adventurous things I’ve done. I was already an experienced rock climber, but there were first-time climbers partaking in the thrill as well. So what did I gain from this? Amongst many things, a better ability to take on a challenge, despite having such great fears.

Want to give it a try?

Deep water soloing is dangerous. If you are still determined to give it a go, I can only recommend you do so with Basecamp Tonsai. They are completely professional, and the safest guides in Thailand.

Parting Thoughts

Coming back from my travels with a new skill, is far better than any souvenir or photo that I’ve taken. Not everything needs to be picked up from a course or classroom setting either—whether it is becoming an expert at communicating with your hands, learning how to hitchhike, or being taught by a couple Cambodian children how to fish on a boat, with little more than a hook and fishing line. It is all so immensely valuable, and it is a large reason for why I travel.