|
|
| Home | About |
|
Kayaking in Thailand Entrance to Kho Panaks Bats Cave Early last Sunday morning two people woke up to an early alarm after a late night. Quickly they gathered their stuff and in a daze made their way to the pick up point. Both slightly confused with no minibus in sight we looked at each other, Is that the guy? I asked my companion, Jay. Dont think so he answered. Another scope around, feeling tired and ready to go home, across the road our driver stood, a nod and acknowledgement. The Times? he asked. Before we knew it we were in a comfortable car. Quick nap for an extra hour to prepare myself for what I expected to be a long physical day in the sun. I wasnt sure if I could handle it that morning. We arrived at the pier by half-eight and had a coffee. Starting to feel slightly more awake once we got on the boat, and have had a few cups of water. Then the excitement gives me a wind of energy! Our guide Tuk, Like Tuk Tuk introduced himself bight eyed, wide awake and smiling to a group of 12 glazy eyed passengers on the Sea Cave Canoes boat. Good morning, are you all ok? Ready to explore some of Phang nga Bays 153 islands? He then went to inform us that we would be going to three islands. Kho Panak and Kho Hong for cave canoeing and then after lunch we will stop at Kho Lawa for relaxation time. He then went to explain that it wasnt as physical or difficult as I had imagined, Each couple will share one canoe and there will be a guide who are the peddler, you will have the same guy all day. Soon after a healthy, friendly chappie walked up to us and introduced himself as Seven, not eleven, hello I am your bodyguard for today. We introduced ourselves and his smile seemed to broaden and never fade. With an endless supply of water and soft drinks. One did not have to get worried about being thirsty. If you werent quick enough to go to the Eski filled to the brim with ice cold drinks you would only go moment with out one before a member of the crew would offer you one. After about an hour we came to our first stop. All 12 passengers got off the boat and into a canoe at Kho Panak just outside the entrance to the Bats Cave. It has acquired this name due to the number of bats in the cave many. Comfortably sat in our canoe Jay, Seven and I entered the cave. Within moments it became pitch black, I couldnt even see my hand in front of my face, and couldnt make out where Jay was sat behind me. In the darkness you hear the bats squeaking and you can definitely smell its a bats cave. At the end of the tunnel you come out into a small section of the lagoon and are soon steered into a big opening with Limestone cliffs on either side, and Mangrove trees growing towards the center. Seven pointed out a very odd looking fish sat on one of the Mangroves roots. This fish climbs the mangroves and jumps from root to root catching insects and small crabs. It like a cross between half fish and half frog! Once out of the Bats Cave we went 400m to the next cave, on the way there we came across a fishing cage, Seven a former fishermen before starting his present trait with Sea Cave Canoe eight years ago. We were all surprised to see a deadly rockfish! It was the first time I had seen one and was happy there was a cage between us. We then spent about 20mins in the Oyster Cave, a cave with low sharp entrances. Tuk had informed us that the safety precautions are to lye down when having to go through low ceiling caves. Simple enough just to lye down and watch as you squeeze past.  Safety precaution, the lying down technique Then we went round to the other side of Panak Island, to explore the Mangrove Cave. This was my favorite cave. The most exciting from the beginning where you had to lye down through the whole cave before coming out into two medium sized lagoons with sand beaches along one side. Even with high tide coming in it was still very shallow. After having to paddle around we got out of the canoe and I felt the sand underneath my feet. Typical with a lot of Mangrove beaches or areas there is a lot of oxygen in the water and you can feel them rise and tickle you when you move your feet about. After a good forty minutes of looking around the lagoon and taking it all in. You will probably notice a monkey/man face made by the bits of rocks naturally placed off the walls of the lagoon. We were then advised to make a move and leave by Tuk and Seven the last two canoes in the lagoon. This was due to the tide coming in and the worry of getting stuck. Tuks boat with two American went through first and was close to getting stuck. When we followed them through I was sure I was going to get stuck and had to shift my body so that there was no part of my left side higher then the canoes tube. Seven got us through and we were soon back on the boat and heading to Kho Hong. Kho Hong or Island of rooms has its name due to the many rooms there are leading off the main lagoon with many caves to explore. You enter a beautiful big open lagoon with passages leading to other Hongs. Unfortunately the tide had come in and we werent able to get to a linked lagoon that looked very promising, instead we went to the Buddha room which has the shape of a Buddha sitting cross legged over one of the Hongs entrances. Kho Hong almost represents a very big house in the middle of the sea with many a rooms to explore.  Entering the cave After a good 40minutes we got back on the boat and arrived to a delicious buffet of Thai food set on the table waiting for us to fill our stomach. Lunch was served, the boat headed to Kho Lawa while 12 hungry passengers piled their plate to their hearts content. Kho Lawa is a very pretty island with minimum buildings. There are a few bungalows run by the National Park Rangers. We couldnt wait to get there; as soon as the boat was anchored Jay and I jumped off and swam in to shore. This was completely optional, dont worry! Once onshore we had a go at the canoes for ourselves a paddle up and down the beach with a very long float out from shore. It was fantastic final to a well spent Sunday! Even the physical exercise we acquired from having a paddle about was relaxing and not too much like hard work. After a good two hours on Kho Lawa, 12 visitors from all around the world and crew piled back onboard of their vessel and settled off for the last 30minutes back to Phuket. I as very surprised to see it was only half three by the time we got back to the pier in Laem Sai, we had done so much!  The dedicated team who take you through this journey of exploration A bit tired but with a big smile and utterly impressed Jay and I said thank yous and good byes. We are both looking forward to seeing the crew and doing this trip again in the near future when a few family members get here next month. Sea cave Canoe is an experience I would recommend to any one wanting to get closer to nature and wanting to do a bit of exploring in a relaxing manner. Conclusively I am happy I finally went after more then ten years living here and I definitely fancy a canoe of my own! by Shay-n Tremblay-Darcy Sea Cave Canoe, Phang Nga Exporation Co.Ltd. 2/2 Chumporn Rd. 076 234 473-5, 076 210 434, 076 234 419 www.seacavecanoe.com seacave@phuket.ksc.co.th |
