Today’s trip to Pulau Payar (an hour by boat from Langkawi) for some snorkeling had its highs and its lows. We boarded our boat at 9:30 from the pier at Kuah town and set off for our adventure. Little did we know what an ‘adventure’ it would be. We arrived at a diving/snorkeling platform in the middle of the sea and geared up. We could tell that the water was extremely choppy before entering the water but it didn’t seem like it would be too much of a challenge.
The snorkeling was exceptional – barracudas, parrot fish, angel fish in many different varieties, swordfish, and hundreds of other types of small fish. “This is paradise!” I shouted. The boys couldn’t get over it as, although it wasn’t their first time snorkeling, it was the first time that they had seen fish in such colour and abundance. There were literally thousands of fish surrounding us – a rainbow of colours, shapes, and sizes.
Twenty minutes or so into swimming I started throwing up. The waves were making me seasick. I headed for the boat for Gravol. Joe was soon behind me – pale, nauseated, and getting on board for some pills, too. The platform was rocking and I had to get to shore. I was brought by boat and fell asleep in the shade. Joe felt well enough to get the boys fed before joining me. As I was feeling better I joined them for a walk down the boardwalk of the marine park. We joined a group watching a school of barracuda and reef sharks. As I was feeling better I decided to head into the water for more snorkeling… bad idea. I was soon in the same shape that I was earlier. The boys snorkeled with Joe, who had recovered, for a while before it was time to head back to Langkawi. The sea was rough and I felt miserable. Ryan started heaving minutes after we boarded and joined the many others who were down for the count. It was a long hour-long ride back to shore and we were never happier to be on dryland!
Back at the resort, we head right to the beach and pool for more 5-star resort living (of course, followed by dinner and club to while the hours away).
The snorkeling was exceptional – barracudas, parrot fish, angel fish in many different varieties, swordfish, and hundreds of other types of small fish. “This is paradise!” I shouted. The boys couldn’t get over it as, although it wasn’t their first time snorkeling, it was the first time that they had seen fish in such colour and abundance. There were literally thousands of fish surrounding us – a rainbow of colours, shapes, and sizes.
Twenty minutes or so into swimming I started throwing up. The waves were making me seasick. I headed for the boat for Gravol. Joe was soon behind me – pale, nauseated, and getting on board for some pills, too. The platform was rocking and I had to get to shore. I was brought by boat and fell asleep in the shade. Joe felt well enough to get the boys fed before joining me. As I was feeling better I joined them for a walk down the boardwalk of the marine park. We joined a group watching a school of barracuda and reef sharks. As I was feeling better I decided to head into the water for more snorkeling… bad idea. I was soon in the same shape that I was earlier. The boys snorkeled with Joe, who had recovered, for a while before it was time to head back to Langkawi. The sea was rough and I felt miserable. Ryan started heaving minutes after we boarded and joined the many others who were down for the count. It was a long hour-long ride back to shore and we were never happier to be on dryland!
Back at the resort, we head right to the beach and pool for more 5-star resort living (of course, followed by dinner and club to while the hours away).
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