Row Away

I have to say this and as cliché as it may sound, I really have to. The first kayaking experience was simply b.r.e.a.t.h.t.a.k.i.n.g.

Full of life, giggles and enthusiasm we hopped our way to the Bhatsai River for an hour of kayaking. Slightly terrified (pssst. I cannot swim), I strapped on my life jacket and tiptoed into the cold river. Perched into the kayak aka Dizzie and the super awesome (he really is) host – Wayne handed the oars and gently pushed us into the river. Stiff feet, struggling with the oars and no idea of how this whole kayaking jazzy business works, Dizzie and I were off for an hour long of figure-out-how-Dizzie-works.

While the rest had gone ahead and were evidently having a gala time, Dizzie and I were still struggling to work our way out. After the first fifteen minutes of going in circles, backwards, sideways and also using the oars in an incorrect manner, ta-dah!, we’ve figured and then couldn’t stop, till our host screamed his lungs out after an hour to get us out.

Rowing through patches of water hydrilla spread over the river bed, the overlapping banyan tree on the river bank, the mellow sunshine, the echoes of the birds doing their morning singsong, the lush green trees aligned on the river banks with their rippled reflection and our laughter ringing through the soothing breeze over the steady Bhatsai. All the goodness of creation and nature in one go is overwhelming. I could gleefully plop myself in there all day to watch this side of the world spin madly on.

Not to forget it’s the same chilly Bhatsai that we took a dip in the previous evening and watched the sun go down. Later that night we got back to the Bhatsai banks, gazed into a blood moon lit sky alongwith our usual chatter and giggles.

Kayaking was a part of the camping deal with Big Red Tent, Vasind.

Row, row, row your boat

 

Gently down the stream

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily; Life is but a dream