Curse of The Pre-Expedition I

Call it pre-expedition curse or whatever. Before the start of every kayk expedition I participated, something went wrong.

Everything was fine until I reached the airport. Then it was with exasperated horror when I discovered my portage bag was tearing at the sides, spilling gear. A portage bag is a big drybag with back carrying straps. It is extremely useful. Such a backpack will hold all loose gear (water bottles, drybags, etc), so as to lighten the kayak and free your hands to carry it.

5 cable ties later, I thought it was fixed. But when I reached Thailand new tears were discovered and buckles and clips were just falling out of their sockets!

I had only used this bag for 3 expeditions and it is already dead.

And as it happened, my kayak shoes and walking sandals decided to peel at the sole, too. I was flapping.

In all 3 cases, I suspected the glue that pressed different pieces together was second-grade. So much for 'waterproof capability', 'rough gear', etc. I am swearing off watersports gear which uses glue from now on !

Safely in Bangkok at 7pm, we made a mad dash to a supermarket to stock up food supplies, then to Mor Chit Northern Bus Station to catch the 10pm bus to TAK or MAE SOT. Turned out that it was a long weekend in Thailand and everyone was trying to get a ticket. Most counters were closed and people were jamming the open ones. There seemed no way North tonight. And our 7-day paddle was in danger of missing its crucial start date.

And then, Praset our taxi driver made a bold offer...