After having 2 days at pristine crystal sea, I would like to have something different. So kayaking sounds like an interesting idea. In Krabi basically there are 2 famous place for kayaking: Ao Thalane (mangrove forest) and Hong Island (well – basically an island with lagoon).
I think my pic collection still lacking greenery, so we took half day kayaking tour to Ao Thalane (400 bath; discounted from 600 bath). Only half day instead of full day because I think we both need to take a little bit of break. The past 5 days have been very grueling and absorb a lot of energy. (every day when we got back to hotel after those activities – we basically passed out in bed ha ha)
To get to the kayak place, we took about 40 mins ride in a pick up mini truck (!). On the way, the scenery is just like Indo actually – just with Thai road signs :D We also passed by the villages and surprisingly – several MOSQUES. O yeah I forgot to mentioned that in South Thailand they have quite a lot of muslim. The food seller are mostly muslim (wearing hijab as well). When I was there, the locals kept talking in Thai to me – assuming I’m one of them! So the fact that I’m wearing hijab (and combined with this brownish asian skin – I guess) doesn’t make them assume I’m a foreigner. Literally I have to tell them at least twice that I DON”T speak Thai. Ian said, maybe they assume you’re just a snob Thai that wants to practice English ha ha ha
Anyway, after getting to the basecamp; it was definitely an atmosphere change. The sea water is green instead of pristine blue. And the water is a bit smelly (cause it’s a swamp I guess). So this is definitely not a swimming place. Personally I don’t mind if I got wet; but I’m desperately worried on my camera hiks hiks… It’s not one of those waterproof Olympus. However we did bought Aquapac case in advance; but it’s a bit hassle to take it out and put it back again. So in case where the cano flipped back, I don’t think there’s time to save the camera ha ha….
With prayers; we started to sail. It was a good choice to go to Ao Thalane instead of Hongs or the 4 islands for kayaking – because the wave is more calm. It’ll definitely be more difficult if the wave kept messing around with your cano.
I thought this would be a brief stroll – but it’s really a serious exercise for your bisep (or trisep or whatever arm muscles existed). About 3.5 hours paddling; going through difficult terrain as well. At first they bring us to an open sea, but after that, it’s like a meter wide gap between the mangrove forest – where you literally have to duck to avoid getting your head bumped.
Along with the tour, there are this Chinese couple paddling with their mother in law (so 3 people in a cano). And they kept getting stuck in the mangrove roots (cause it was such a tight space); and the wife kept yelling to the husband ha ha ha… I don’t understand a word – but from the tone I can tell that she’s mad at him ha ha.. I have a big grin on my face, and then the husband look at me and he grin back. Then in Chinese I think he tells the wife something like “O come on honey – don’t be mad; look at the strangers laughing at you!” Then the wife give evil look at me! Then she’s not only mad at her husband but also to me! Ha ha…
Besides breath taking cliffs and sea caves, Ao Thalane also have wild monkeys. Which I’m scared off. Well basically I’m afraid of most animal anyway. So when other tourist happily giving the monkeys pineapple so they’ll jump to their cano – I was asking Ian just to keep safe distance from them. We can take picture from a far. Or just google for a monkey picture when we’re back in Indo ha ha… But damned – those monkeys CAN SWIM! And one of them actually swim to our cano and jumped at me HUAAAA… I was panicking and ready to slap the thing with paddle – but the tour guide yelling “No no, don’t hurt the monkey!” Ha ha… Well, it’s not clean whether he was concerned that the monkey will call their gang to ambush us – or just concern the monkey will get hurt and no tour can be held the next day ha ha…
I tell you, it’s really an exercise. Although only half day, but we’re both more tired than the days before he he… Very good experience though!
After a hard day of paddling – I’m determined to see the sunset. Although we already in Krabi for about 4 days – but we always asleep during sunset because the tours are just so draining. So we finally did in Noppratthara beach (well, basically in front of our hotel he he). Saw some baby crabs and look at the lines of deserted boats. As the tides low down (and it was very low that we’re both scared it was Tsunami symptoms), the boat are stranded. Hugs, stolen kisses and long stroll in the beach while watching sunset – what a way to end the day
TIPS: Don’t bother taking the full day Ao Thalane kayaking; cause when we did the half day it expand until 1.30 pm anyway (that means the full day only about 1 hour more with almost double price). They also have combined tour with Elephant Trekking but a bit pricey (1100 bath after discount) or Cobra Show or Catfish farm.
Chubby Traveller’s rating: 3 / 5
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