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An early buffet breakfast at the hotel. A nice selection and uncrowded as we got there before the Thai group. Bagettes could be toasted over an electric grill . The first toast in a week.

Kayaking to the Cambodia border

Jim Strew
2006-04-25 15:03:56

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An early buffet breakfast at the hotel. A nice selection and uncrowded as we got there before the Thai group. Bagettes could be toasted over an electric grill . The first toast in a week.

Back across the river at 8 am for the drive downstream towards the Cambodia border. Another boat trip back across the Mekong to a small village where we start our kayaking. Our watercraft turned out to be inflatable rubber boats with kayak paddles.

We had to get out to portage around Liphi Waterfalls. Here the river narrows to a rocky gorge. At the bottom of the falls is a class 3 rapid about 300 metres long. Our boats are lowered into the churning water and we are pushed out into the churning current. We watched some other people navigate the rapids before it was our turn. Seeing two of the kayaks overturn was not reassuring for Claudette. I was now happy that we has the more stable rubber boats.

My heart was pounding. Clkaudette descended with the guide. I was on my own. I had never shot rapids by myself. What a rush!!! even though I went down half the rapids backwards.

A few other smaller rapids were navigated with
no problem. By this time Claudette was in the boat with me. I had been getting cramps with having my legs stretched in front of me. Her presence allowed me to sit on the stern and bend my legs a bit. It was more comfortable to enjoy the scenery of big trees, little islands and sandy beaches.

Our lunch stop was on a big rock in the middle of the river at the Cambodia border. It was here we were supposed to see the rare fresh-water dolphins. No such luck for us today.

Another hour of paddling brought us to the end of our day of kayaking. We got on one of the local truck busses to head back upstream. We didn't stop at the customs post, just lifted the barrier and kept going. No agent in sight.

Route 13, which runs north south through the country ends here. At the border it goes from a two laned paved road to a barely single lane dirt track on the Cambodia side.

A half hour drive brought us to the spectacular Khon Pa Peng waterfall. This obstacle is the reason the French could not establish a trade route up the river to China in the 1860's. After more driving we crossed the river yet again to our resort.

We decided to try another place for supper so wandered up the path bordering the river past the other resorts to Mr. Pon's place. It is the newest resort on the Island. We had an excellent meal of veggie curry and minced chicken laap, replentished with fresh mint and lemon grass. The curry had fresh lime leaves. What a difference this makes to the flavour compared to the dried stuff I have access to.

Yes, folks, I do have photos to fill in the blanks but really must go now.