A Very Early Morning Paddle

We woke up at 4.30am today. We wanted to make sure we cleaned up and get out before the workers arrive to reclaim their boat house. There was also a 90km paddling ahead of us and we wanted a good start. It was darkness; the only faint glow was that of our exhausted light-sticks hanging on our kayaks. We packed everything quickly and without a word. That was, until hushed four-letters were muttered doning our wet paddling gear full of sand, sweat, and ants.

The Moon still lingered, reflecting itself gently off the river's exhaled mist. It was an awe-inspiring experience paddling on the river at dawn. Everything was being refreshed to welcome a new day. The settled mist cleaned the leaves and forests, and anything it touched. It cooled the air and blocked out the sun for just that little longer. Even the water felt purified; the forest sucking pure water from the cool air and adding them to the river flow. I started to believe the river was being reborn each day, and at this precise moment.

Dense Fog on River Kwai Noi - The fog lingered for a few hours after we started. Every breath we drew was deeply appreciating, cooling, and sweet.         photo: Huey

After an hour of paddle, the mist thickened into fog. I could hardly see JB. I paddled silently forward, straining to listen to his paddle strokes, or the sounds of any rapids infront. The kayaks cut through the fog slowly, but even this excited the fog into a swirling dance.

Along the fog-shrouded river, I made out the outlines of charming resorts and boat houses by the river's banks. If only we had paddled a little longer yesterday! In fact there were many of them, their balconies facing the river, deck chairs cleaned, and hammock tied across. Various types of flowering plants like orchids, bougainvillea, red, white, yellow, blue, adored the frontage of the river houses. It was beautiful.

Waterfalls at Sai Yok

Sai Yok Noi Waterfall -  We heard it first - a great splash of water inside the fog. We paddled cautiously forward, not entirely sure if the whole river was to disappear down some cliffs. Then out of the fog, we saw water cascading down a 3-tier waterfall into the river. It was the Sai Yok Noi waterfall. There were already some tourist boats around with visitors onboard sipping tea and admiring the waterfall. We stopped as well and relaxed in the holiday atmosphere.         photo: Huey

 

River scene at Sai Yok Yai - Paddling forward the Sai Yok Yai waterfall was even more impressive. It sat among a distinctively river's lifestyle. With rows of green, flowering, family-like resorts lining the river, the waterfall splashed just between the dwellings and a rope bridge. The whole frame left me breathless at its poetic charms.      photo: Huey

 

Sai Yok Yai Waterfall - How I wished I had a weekend home on River Kwai !         photo: JB

 

Dolomite at Sai Yok ? - After Sai Yok, the river winds into a mountainous range, the bamboo forests diminished and we saw more high cliffs and rocks. After the educational posting by FH20 on his blog about dolomite formation in the Sarawak forests, I believed we had seen giant dolomite formation.      photo: Huey

<<Continued...>>