Thai-Burma Border Kayak Expedition

It is the time of the year to plan another expedition, during the so-called DeepaRaya week. The name the combination of Hari Raya (Muslim holy month) and Deepavali (Hindu Festival of Light). For the past few years, these two traditions have fallen on the same week, creating a bonus leave week for salaried workers like me.

Last year 4 kayakers went to Chiangmai and paddled down the Ping River. This year, both FH2O and Miriam could not join, and there seemed no one else, so its just me and JB. How I wish there are more people joining us, as I think we are going to a fascinating place - TAK.

TAK is a thai province located at the border with Myanmar, supporting the border post of Mae Sot. It is where the a wooden bridge spans River Moei, remincent of the famous teak bridge at U-bein in Myanmar. Its mountains are fill with a mix of Karen and Hmong tribes, and the refuge of Burmese escapees. The 2000+ft Burmese Dawna range on its west, and world heritage site Huay-Kha-Kaeng Wildlife Sanctuary on its east, it should be an interesting trip downriver.

We had planned a 7-day paddle from the upper reaches of Mae (River) Klong, until the Death Railway Bridge in Kancanaburi. The distance, as crow flies, is around 350km. It has to be a fully-gear and self-support expedition, as the map does not show many villages along the way.

None of the previous expeditions had started smoothly. So far we had been spared the usual 'disruptions and problems' associated with Departure day. Lets hope it keeps this way!