Ao Luk Family Kayak Rally

Sunday was the first annual Ao Luk Family Kayak Rally, an event to promote Laem Sak's new pier. Emily, our base manager was invited to take part in the event and joined the kayaking team of a couple of local friends from Bor Thor, who lead our monthly kayaking trips and also study English with us at the Non-Formal Education Center. See below for pictures and Emily's take on the exciting day out with the Ao Luk community.

"On Sunday, Ao Luk’s first-ever Family Kayak Rally was held in the neighboring sub-district of Laem Sak at the newly opened pier. The quiet coastal community welcomed families from all over Ao Luk district and from nearby provinces of Phang-Nga and Phuket. Our friends at Chok Thara in Bor Thor, with whom we go kayaking with on the side trips, had five teams in the race. I shared a kayak with Khaw and we were the first team to embark on the route but unfortunately not the first to return!

In the morning, participants planted mangroves in a village near the pier. After returning to the pier the group competed in a few games and gathered to watch a presentation about Ao Luk district’s tourist attractions. After a delicious lunch it was time for the kayaking. Fifty-five teams took part in the rally, which consisted of a 5.5-kilometer course around Phang-Nga Bay. Teams followed the course and along the way had to make twelve stops to pick up different puzzle pieces. In addition a trivia quiz was included in each team’s packet and had to be completed by the time they returned to shore.

The award presentation took place over dinner, after introductions of the local dignitaries in attendance and a comical introduction of all the teams by a local radio DJ and the owner of Laem Sak Seafood. The food was lovely as was the setting, looking over the water and surrounding karsts. In between presentations the crowd enjoyed live music and a slideshow of photos taken throughout the day."

Ao Luk Family Kayak Rally