Wednesday, January 04, 2006
1/04/2006 08:08:00 AM
1/04/2006 08:08:00 AM
Me Myself and I : A Solo Paddle on New Year's Day
posted by FH2o
It was sunday afternoon and I decided to check out my 'Perception Eco-Bezhig', a red 5.4 m long sea expedition kayak, which I had not been using for the past couple of months. After hosing off the dust, cobwebs and spiders which had made itself a comfortable nest around the straps buckle; I laid it out on my timber deck to dry. Admiring its sleek form soon leads to thoughts of my first expedition in it to Tanjung Datu (must remember to blog this one fine day) and the numerous day trips. One thought lead to another and I soon succumbed to the temptation after checking the tide table and finding it amendable for a 2 hour plus paddle before dinner with the family.
After carefully lowering myself about 4 feet down from my house's jetty; I gingerly eased myself into the seat remembering the boat's tender primary stability and not wanting to go for an unintended swim. A few wiggles of my hip and some gentle rocking of the boat from side to side slowly brought back my sense of balance and confidence. It felt good again to be in a responsive and fast sit-in kayak and after a couple of strokes I began to feel one with the boat and soon the water. It felt really nice as I hit my stride and the kayak cuts across the water as I paddled against the current of the incoming tide of Sungai Stutong. I instinctively edged the boat with body english to steer it and the arms move in unison orchestrated subconsciously; and it felt good not to have to think about your paddle strokes as I did when I first started - the sweetness of experience and competence. I was relaxed and I felt strong. Am I really hitting the big five-O this year?
I stopped occassionally to take photos and I marvelled at the fact that even at the same place the photos will turn out unique and different; painted by the infinite combinations of nature's light and weather. Before long I reached Sungai Kuap and I turned left heading towards the bridge to Kota Samarahan. After reaching the bridge and looking at the new housing development taking place just before the bridge; I headed back. An hour had passed and I wished I could spend another couple more hours on the water - recalling the bliss of being on expedition with day long paddling. It's hard to explain this feeling to non-kayakers. So it was me with myself and I, with this wondrous feeling, immersed in liquid heaven as I paddled my red sportscar on the meandering river highway home. Surprisingly the weather held up despite some dark clouds as it has been raining without exception almost every evening. I reached my jetty and it was an easy take out as the tide is now level with the jetty's platform.
It was a delightful paddle and me, myself and I couldn't think of a better start to the new year! And thank you for sharing this moment with me.
1st January 2006
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Post a Comment At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 
9lives said:
Wah..self photo eh..:) Want to try that kayak also ke yi ma?
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 
said:
wahlau... go paddle by urself. never invite one!!! (just kidding) nice write-up... beautiful pictures. keep em coming!!!
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 FH2O said:
9lives - trust dat your screen didnt crack as a consequence of that self-potrait! it was kinda hard n funny to try to take your own pic in the middle of the river! but wat d heck!
Hmmmm, borrowing the kayak will cost u a packet of cashew nut and or lobster! (blame Robin my counsel on this)
mangrooveDan - last minute decision one! u'll fully understand my situation fully next year once u had tied the knot! my turn to laugh then!
Hmmmm, borrowing the kayak will cost u a packet of cashew nut and or lobster! (blame Robin my counsel on this)
mangrooveDan - last minute decision one! u'll fully understand my situation fully next year once u had tied the knot! my turn to laugh then!
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 Robin said:
Nice nice... aiyo, try to get kaki to go kayaking lah... in case got croco, then offer it your kaki..
Or wait for me then go.. or go again when I am around.. hint, hint.
kekeke
Or wait for me then go.. or go again when I am around.. hint, hint.
kekeke
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 Wena said:
hi. happy new year. thanks for stopping by my blog. yours look good too. and u're a brave soul to go up Sg. Kuap. that's a croc infested water. anyway, have fun kayaking.
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 FH2O said:
wena - really? just curious, how do u know about the crocs? ever been out there on a boat? hearsay, clearly documented sightings or actually seen it yourself?
not brave lah! haven't u heard or tried the latest 'anti-crocodile' deodorant cum spf88 sunblock that all kayakers-in-the-know are using nowadays! kekeke
btw, u may want to get to know happysurfer as both of u may just have something in common! ;o)
not brave lah! haven't u heard or tried the latest 'anti-crocodile' deodorant cum spf88 sunblock that all kayakers-in-the-know are using nowadays! kekeke
btw, u may want to get to know happysurfer as both of u may just have something in common! ;o)
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 9lives said:
Cashew nuts? Thot U r nut already what..haha..No prob man. As long as you don't ask me to swim without my life jacket on.
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 FH2O said:
9lives - anyone who paddles with me MUST have their life jackets on at ALL times (mimik n huey are u guys listening!!!)
however other attires are strictly optional and you are allowed to take them off at your discretion!
however other attires are strictly optional and you are allowed to take them off at your discretion!
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 agus said:
You're right. It's hard for non kayakers to get the feeling you have on every beautiful trip. But your write up is enough to tell everyone that you're in heaven. The pictures look great too. If I was there I'd go "Oh man!" a couple of times, as I glide in my imaginary kayak.
Can't paddle, can't swim, but can always imagine. Talk about orang kurang upaya, OKU.
Can't paddle, can't swim, but can always imagine. Talk about orang kurang upaya, OKU.
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 9lives said:
Key word "life" jacket :).Glad I took up kayaking coz no other sports would ever replaced the bliss during kayaking.
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 FH2O said:
9lives - correction my dear! bliss also found in eating bak kua, durians, rendangs and curries and drinking good coffee and fine wine ... ah!!!
agus - 'the pics look great too'; are u sure? including the self-potrait? ;)
agus - 'the pics look great too'; are u sure? including the self-potrait? ;)
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 Robin said:
Aiyo, I haven't claimed from you my crack monitor, accidentally click on the photo wondering who is this .. and it cracked!!!! hazha.
Ok Lah, credit on being a hero kayaking on crocodile infested water. Really got croco meh? Time to get new croco belts, wallets, croco bak kua (really have hor), croco underwear .. oops perhaps this is not the croco you mean.
Ai yo, ask people to take out everything except life jacket... naughty naughty.. so hum sub.
(metal table, metal table where r u?)
Ok Lah, credit on being a hero kayaking on crocodile infested water. Really got croco meh? Time to get new croco belts, wallets, croco bak kua (really have hor), croco underwear .. oops perhaps this is not the croco you mean.
Ai yo, ask people to take out everything except life jacket... naughty naughty.. so hum sub.
(metal table, metal table where r u?)
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 Happysurfer said:
FH2o, while reading your blog, I was thinking "Wah, this guy knows every sungai one". Then when I read Wena's comments, I changed it to "Wah, this guy doesn't even know which sungai got crocs and which don't - how to go kayaking with him leh?".
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your escapade. I could even experience the solace and away-from-it-all tranquility like it's SO PEACEFUL out there. Great post. Thank you for sharing.
You have an advantage over non-kayakers. You have two freeways to be away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Envy, envy, in a way but still.........
you know what I mean.
Robin, haven't you heard? Dogs go after dogmeat-eaters so crocs would go after those using croco stuff, Robin or not. Better to stick to CK lor.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your escapade. I could even experience the solace and away-from-it-all tranquility like it's SO PEACEFUL out there. Great post. Thank you for sharing.
You have an advantage over non-kayakers. You have two freeways to be away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Envy, envy, in a way but still.........
you know what I mean.
Robin, haven't you heard? Dogs go after dogmeat-eaters so crocs would go after those using croco stuff, Robin or not. Better to stick to CK lor.
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 FH2O said:
Robin is the heckler of the blogging world! Maybe my next post should be one of the gems i got from d supernagging machine ...
happysurfer - for u, the man-made lake in front of the tea pavilion in Taman Sahabat (see d pic u liked in the post below) should be very safe! no crocs, no trees but alas no soul as well ...
happysurfer - for u, the man-made lake in front of the tea pavilion in Taman Sahabat (see d pic u liked in the post below) should be very safe! no crocs, no trees but alas no soul as well ...
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 bonnie said:
What a beautiful New Year's Day paddle.
Did you say "my house's jetty"?
Big big sigh from Manhattan...
Did you say "my house's jetty"?
Big big sigh from Manhattan...
At Wednesday, 04 January, 2006 Jellyfish said:
waa...good la u...
er... 2 or 3 days din see your post suddenly got so many words n pics liao
hehehe...
of course la *duh*
er... 2 or 3 days din see your post suddenly got so many words n pics liao
hehehe...
of course la *duh*
At Thursday, 05 January, 2006 Robin said:
haha.. happy.. crocodile nose is less sensitive .. I hope.
Wei, wei, behave behave..
Wei, wei, behave behave..
At Thursday, 05 January, 2006 FH2O said:
bonnie - yes sigh! envy (n scorn?) from all quarters is the order of the day ..
jellyfish - had u bought the magic stone from robin yet? juz kidding ok!
robin - sorry bad news; crocs have the most acute sense of sight, hearing and especially smell! n they sure swim faster than u can paddle!
jellyfish - had u bought the magic stone from robin yet? juz kidding ok!
robin - sorry bad news; crocs have the most acute sense of sight, hearing and especially smell! n they sure swim faster than u can paddle!
At Thursday, 05 January, 2006 agus said:
Pictures, pretty. Self portrait, in the eyes of the beholder, or in this case, the camera holder. But if I need a replacement for my LCD screen, I'll let u know. And hey, if you're confident enough to show your face online, that's all that matters. After all, not every blogger can do that; post kayaking pictures and self portraits.
At Thursday, 05 January, 2006 FH2O said:
agus - confidence or folly? hmmmm let me ponder that. in the meanwhile i had re-posted a 'photoshop softer look' self-potrait to nullify against any frivolous claims of damaged computer screens ...
the last time i checked - there were no kayaker blogger in malaysia, singapore or brunei. would be most happy if someone can burst this bubble. so it would seem like i have this entire field to myself! first and foremost (and famous?) woah!
Thanks agus!
the last time i checked - there were no kayaker blogger in malaysia, singapore or brunei. would be most happy if someone can burst this bubble. so it would seem like i have this entire field to myself! first and foremost (and famous?) woah!
Thanks agus!
At Thursday, 05 January, 2006 said:
fh2o, u should mound a remotely control digital camera that can trun 360 degrees in front of ur kayak. hehe
the self portrait doesn't really show that u r in ur kayak... rather it just looks like u r dressed as a kayaker. (no offence intended)
my 2 cents change...
the self portrait doesn't really show that u r in ur kayak... rather it just looks like u r dressed as a kayaker. (no offence intended)
my 2 cents change...
At Thursday, 05 January, 2006 FH2O said:
mangrooveDan - trust an engineer to think like that!
hmmmm to be more convincing that I am a sarawakian kayaker, the photo should also show a few crocs in the background ... wanna volunteer to be the photographer? kekeke
hmmmm to be more convincing that I am a sarawakian kayaker, the photo should also show a few crocs in the background ... wanna volunteer to be the photographer? kekeke
At Thursday, 05 January, 2006 9lives said:
You can have the crocs at the waterfront as background :) If want a live one with its teeth baring then I suggest set the camera's timer la
Wah..so famous eh you lately. :P
Wah..so famous eh you lately. :P
At Thursday, 05 January, 2006 Pandabonium said:
Thank you for sharing that paddle. Sometimes to engage in such an activity alone is most insightful as it allows one to drop any pretense that arrises when with another person and experience things honestly, openly, and appreciate them more deeply.
We have egrets in Hawaii and here in Japan. They are beautiful birds. Yet, I try to live my life without 'egrets.
Hehehehe. (Sorry, I can't resist a pun).
We have egrets in Hawaii and here in Japan. They are beautiful birds. Yet, I try to live my life without 'egrets.
Hehehehe. (Sorry, I can't resist a pun).
At Thursday, 05 January, 2006 FH2O said:
mangrooveDan & ninelives - thanks for your suggestion but I've found the profile pic i like!
panda - that's a good one! hahaha!
you are spot on about the solitude. i absolutely love it alone out on the waters.
panda - that's a good one! hahaha!
you are spot on about the solitude. i absolutely love it alone out on the waters.
At Friday, 06 January, 2006 Wena said:
lol! didn't realise that there would be this many comments.
no, i do not kayak. but the pictures u're taken are gorgeous.
the croc infested river - heard from locals who live nearby who mentioned it.
and rivers, only i can say is take care of your life. the newspapers weren't joking about the pollution. as long as you don't drink it, should be fine but don't take my word for it.
and good thing u wear a life jacket. i hear that there is a serious undercurrent at the waterfront during this rainy period. even then, with life jacket, do be careful. and this goes to other kayakers too!
no, i do not kayak. but the pictures u're taken are gorgeous.
the croc infested river - heard from locals who live nearby who mentioned it.
and rivers, only i can say is take care of your life. the newspapers weren't joking about the pollution. as long as you don't drink it, should be fine but don't take my word for it.
and good thing u wear a life jacket. i hear that there is a serious undercurrent at the waterfront during this rainy period. even then, with life jacket, do be careful. and this goes to other kayakers too!
At Friday, 06 January, 2006 FH2O said:
wena - yeah, comments aplenty; surprise huh?
thanks for complimenting on my photos, a lot of folks (including me!) seemed to like 'em!
but what's wrong with the writing and kayaking? don't they deserve some compliments too? just kidding!
I understand your concerns and thanks for caring! crocs, pollution, undertows, etc huh! the hazards a kayaker has to face! so far so good! touch wood!
gimme a yell if u feel like kayakin! cheers!
thanks for complimenting on my photos, a lot of folks (including me!) seemed to like 'em!
but what's wrong with the writing and kayaking? don't they deserve some compliments too? just kidding!
I understand your concerns and thanks for caring! crocs, pollution, undertows, etc huh! the hazards a kayaker has to face! so far so good! touch wood!
gimme a yell if u feel like kayakin! cheers!