badge

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Hilarious Kayaking




Krabi



Thailand is a destination that attracts all Indians irrespective of their age, background or different interests that it caters in a manner few can match in terms of affordability, proximity and very friendly people. A few years back my family and I flew into Krabi in Thailand, a destination which not many Indians generally prefer in comparison to Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket.
In the evening I went out for a stroll in the sleepy town of Krabi with my daughter and came across a travel agency that was offering a trip to Ao Thalene, a marshy area with unique ecological system. The trip included half a day of Kayaking in the waterways that go around the bay. Since we had never indulged in this before, we purchased the tickets for the next day and broke the news to my wife who was very skeptical but agreed to go.
Next morning we were picked up from our hotel to the destination in a big tempo traveler where a few foreigners already occupied the seats. After about 45 minutes of drive we arrived at the destination going through the jungles. After arriving, we were given a lesson for half hour to maneuver the paddles of the kayak and soon the trip started, with all three of us in a single kayak, with life jackets on. The kayak refused to budge initially but soon we were following many other accomplished kayak riders. As we were nearing the first halt a huge German assisted us in coming alongside.
Star Fish
The sight was unbelievable with hundreds of star fish and crabs crawling along the coast. It was literally as if stars had descended to earth. We then moved further sometimes pushing  the other kayaks out of the way by our paddles to avoid collision in some narrow channels,  other times getting stuck in the shallow waters and then desperately trying to push  back the kayak in midstream. Some of the fellow kayak enthusiasts threw bananas towards a horde of monkeys leading to a stampede and fight amongst them and for the first time I saw a monkey losing all his fingers due to a bite!
We stopped for lunch of lovely of Thai green curry, rice, pineapple and watermelons, which we literally gorged due pangs of hunger! When we finished our lunch I suddenly lost my balance while getting into the kayak and fell with a thud on the seat, jettisoning my wife out of her seat with the impact. Our kidlike laughter was uncontrollable for next ten minutes seeing the plight of my wife who was drenched from head to toe.
We came across some very interesting mud creatures, jelly fish, squids, lizards and some rare birds too on this sojourn. The trip came to an end about two hours late thanks to our collective incompetence to steer the kayak, leaving us exhausted but having a full share of fun. Whenever we remember that trip, it becomes difficult to control the laughter even now! No holiday is complete without children adding to the fun!

PS: 1.This is my entry for the Club Mahindra/ Indiblogger sponsored ‘Happy Hour’ Teddy Travelogue campaign about fun with kids on holiday
2. Pictures in the blog were taken by self in Krabi

28 comments:

  1. Kayaking is in my wish list. Loved this adventure of your... Full of stars :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. that sounds like an awesome trip. Wonderful description of your trip.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot Raj;akshmi! It was great fun indeed!

      Delete
  3. You made me smile with this lovely post, thanks for sharing your adventurous happy moments!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What an adventure - but I was sorry to hear about the monkey losing its fingers.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have been to Krabi only for a few hours while on a cruise. Wish to visit again and explore more. Lovely pics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you liked your stay in Krabi! Do venture out next time s Thailand is full of exotic treasures:)

      Delete
  6. I enjoyed this Kayaking.You have drawn a nice picture of your journey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome to my blog Rudraprayaga! I am happy you liked the post!

      Delete
  7. I HAVE BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN HERE!!!
    Your writeup made me relive my epic time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wooo..W ! Then you know what that experience would have been!

      Delete
  8. Aha! You had some fun at Krabi. Moments like these make memories for a life time!
    Kayaking sounds so much fun. Have seen rescuers in their kayaks while we did white water rafting in Rishikesh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agree Shilpa that river rafting in Rishikesh is equally thrilling in the rapids:)

      Delete
  9. That was a horrible thing to happen, I mean the monkey.

    Doing such less famous adventures is always fun. Even I want to Kayak but this winter I want to indulge in winter sports.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a ghastly sight to see that monkey suufer! Kayaking is good fun!

      Delete
  10. So many of you guys have been to Kabri. Another new place you introduced to me, Rahul sir.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Latha for that comment! Very nice to see you back:)

      Delete
  11. You sound fun... though there were some mishaps.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Exotic exciting and adventurous ! I am sure your wife will never forget the drenching she received ! (I believe this is an actual trip and not a figment of your creative mind)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Rama, this was a real trip , with all the thrills and frills one can expect :)

      Delete
  13. Sigh! I have been wanting to visit Thailand from a very, very long time. Have heard a lot about Phuket.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Take some time off to Thailand which is not too far, Rachna! Am sure you will enjoy to the hilt! Wish you a happy festive season and a New Year!

      Delete