Re: [Paddlewise] Big Trip Dreams

Wes Boyd wrote:


  So, for the sake of curiosity:

  Suppose that, through some unexpected reason, you have the option to take a
  two or three month kayak trip. The chance is unique, and probably won't
  come again, so you want it to be a memorable, "trip of a lifetime". You
  have an adequate amount of cash available for the trip, if you are
  moderately careful. 

  Where do you go? What would you do? Why? Would you consider doing the trip
  solo? How would you organize the trip? Handle supplies? What boat would you
  want?

  Come on, folks, it's still winter out there. Let's have some dreams!

  -- Wes


   For me the ultimate trip would be to the Gulf of Tonkin in Viet Nam. 
I have seen pictures and videos of the area and it is one of the most
beautiful and fascinating areas I have ever seen.  The Gulf of Tonkin was
formed when the sea eroded away the limestone in the area, leaving
hundreds of islands with near vertical cliffs over a hundred feet tall. 
In places the islands are donut shaped, with caves leading into the
center of the island.  Then there are the people that live in the area. 
Theirs is a boat culture, they live their entire lives on the boats only
coming ashore for needed supplies.  I would like to learn more about
these people and their value system.
   Would I travel there alone?  No, and for a couple of reasons.  First
is that I am a social paddler, I enjoy paddling with others more than I
like paddling solo.  Second is that I would want to share this trip with
someone special, shared experiences are the glue that bonds a
relationship together.  The third reason is that the area still hasn't
stabilized after the Viet Nam war, leaving many areas controlled by
"opportunists."  A guide familiar with the area and the locals would be a
necessity, not a luxury.
   What boat would I take?  My Kajak Sport Viviane would handle that trip
real well, and I am comfortable with it.  As for organizing the trip and
supplies I would be asking the advice of the guide for much of that.  Not
that I would be leaving it up to the guide, but being familiar with the
area the guide would know of any special gear or precautions to take. 
There was a guide at the L. L. Bean Symposium last year that does just
such a trip.  He gets all the people in contact with each other and they
plan everything together.  They use the guide's experience to make sure
that they don't forget anything but all of the actual planning is done by
the participants (inside an itinerary set by the guide).  The whole thing
is run more like an expedition rather than a guide service.

Mike

-- 
    Paddling along through fog so thick that only one's thoughts are 
visible, your reverie is abruptly shattered by the ancient cry of a great
blue heron as she lifts uncertainly from the brilliant blue of a 
mussel-shell beach witnessed only by the brooding, wet spruce....your
passage home seems as much back through time as it does through space.
Mark H Hunt
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************