Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25121
nature. He asc gripping and hitching the rope onto each anchor he crossed. A short first run for the expert, now it was my turn. Feeling a mixture of emotions at this point, I was determined to focus my concentration. Belaying me from ground level, Jack me as if he was by my side. "Look to your left, push with your leg!" e knew every hold on the cl iff. This was Jack's playground. I cautiously made it up the fi rst climb to a ledge 10 meters above the starting point. As I looked down at the ocean below, a sense of vulnerability came over me and made rappelling difficult. I learned that the trick was to let my mind relax. Trusting that Jack wasn't going to drop me became the only fear I needed to conquer. We did about six climbs on a variety of terrain, each one in preparation for the final ascent. The last few climbs were increasingly technical, bringing me to new heights and demanding agility. The challenge ahead was one of both body and mind. My limbs were tired but my soul wanted more. I sat down for a minute to focus. The sound of the ocean lapping at the shore filled my ears. I had timed things perfectly; it must have been about six o'clock. The sun was no longer visible from behind the cliff, but its presence was sti ll strong. The time had come when my dream would manifest into real ity. With each motion I fine-tuned my grip to maximize fluidity and finesse. I could hear Jack's voice fading as I approached the apex of my climb. "You're almost there!" he called out. Within reaches of my goal, a light rain began to fall. I chalked my hands to get a better grip, but the surface remained slippery. My arms and legs were trembling from exertion, but I continued. Clinging to limestone high above the emerald green ocean, I found my spi rit soaring high. This was bl iss. As raindrops washed the sweat from my body, I thought of my arrival when this was all a dream. From a height of 30 meters, with the East beach behind me, I could see the West beach just over the foliage and the sun slipping into the sea. • THE PATH HALF WAY BETWEEN THE SUNRISE BA''- A1Jl1IJUeiH THERE ARE GUIDE ROPES TO HELP YOU. se BE CAUTIOUS. ALSO, DON'T FORGET TO BRING OF ONE SESSION (ABOUT THREE HOURS) i1:1�IBalS IS US$12, AIRLINES AND. OF COURSE. THAI AIRWAYS TO SURAT THANI. TRANSFER IN SURAT THANI TO