#phangnabay

Did you think I was done with kayaking posts? You know me better than that. You know I could never stay away.

Yesterday, we took a one-day tour of Phang Na Bay with Paddle Asia, a tour company based in Phuket. Their goal is to take small groups kayaking in parts of the bay where the rest of the tours don't go (i.e., anywhere but James Bond Island). Our small group was small indeed - just me, James, and our local guide, Run.

Run's family has lived in this bay, which has over 40 islands, for generations. As a child, he was brought to school by boat.

At one point, we followed Run through a small opening in the limestone, and on the other side there were all these mangroves! A forest in the sea.

We also saw this incredible lagoon. Run said that the lagoons are called "rooms" in Thai, because they have only one way in and out. I'm not sure what exactly I'm on about in first 20 seconds of this clip but I'm very excited about having reached the room.

The sit-inside sea kayak we borrowed was very speedy, and comfortable enough for all-day use. Near the end of the day, we also got to try out Run's single kayak which was extra fun.

Nothing like a coconut after a busy day of paddling.