Watermelons in the middle of the backwaters.
Watermelons in the middle of the backwaters.
No, I am not talking about watermelons growing in the backwaters. It’s a memory that is stuck in my head from my last kayaking expedition. Oh! What’s a kayaking expedition?
So, there’s Goa kind of kayaking, where you hire a kayak for a few hours to explore the sea and get back to the beach and hit the parties at night, you might have done this too, or may have seen people at the shore doing this. Now, another kind of kayaking that I am talking about is where you practically live on and by the waters for a few days.
You may have been to Kerala, but have you seen it from within? There’s a difference between staying at the rims, and seeing Kerala by floating through its waterways. Yes, and I will tell you the watermelon story as I take you through the journey.
Muziris to Kochi, in a solo kayak
Have you heard about Muziris? A city where the scientist unearthed a lost port and the oldest spice trading route. And kayaking here let’s you soak up the history, rich culture and of course pristine nature. Around 100 of us started from Muziris, some of us in solo kayaks and the others in a double. I was one of those observers in Goa who just watched people kayak. But, last year I decided to do a 40 km expedition without knowing how to paddle.
Got the basic training from the folks of Jellyfish. Obviously you can’t learn all at one go, without getting in the waters. There were many first timers, kayaking, SUPing and sailing along.
Gradually I got the hang of it. How to hold the paddle, the amount of pressure that needs to be used, how to sit and how to reduce the impact of paddling on the shoulders. How to turn, how to keep your kayak moving straight and how to get back on the kayak if it capsizes.
The very last one is the most important skill to learn, trust me you can’t resist the temptation of jumping in the middle of the backwaters, and floating under the sky, surrounded by the greens. Rarely do you get to do that isn’t it? For here you have so many cheering for you, and helping you learn how to get back on the kayak 😛
While you are exploring the trade route you will also come across the oldest church in India. The breakfast halt at this historic place gives you an insight into the history of this place.
The one who’s left behind, finds the best company
There will be times when you are going in with all rigour and energy, and then there are points when you want to go easy, restore energy. For once, there’s no hurry. It’s no race to reach somewhere or meet deadlines.
This is the time when you will have nature all to yourself. Vast backwaters, lined with coconut and palm trees. Mellow sound of the water waves crashing against the kayak, sound of the paddle slashing the water and tweedle and chippers of the birds. Move at your own pace, get lost, retract, follow the turns and immerse yourself in the blues and the greens. You’ll also have locals around for the company, waving at you, excited kids trying to strike a conversation. Some might offer you water and tea.
Energy regained, and the pace. Finally, you spot the SUPers. It’s a small party right on the water, music playing, some singing, some trying to dance and the others taking a dip, and of course you don’t need an invitation. Time to keep the tiredness at the bay and jump in!
Race for watermelons on the water in your watercrafts
Repeat this tongue twister for 6 times to get your share of watermelon 😀
Or race to the jetty to grab the first three big slices! And then feel empathetic about the ones struggling to reach, make a human chain to pass it onto the tired souls like a picnic on the water, with surroundings unbelievably stunning and unknown people who turn into friends on the way.
Chit-chatting over tea across the waters, sharing oranges and apples, and let’s try a little gamification – How about drinking coconut water directly, without using a plastic straw, without spilling a single drop? Now I have aced the technique, and it makes it so much easier to say NO to one of the biggest single-use plastic evils that has been polluting the environment.
These breaks teach you so much, they sensitise you towards water pollution. I have stopped buying packaged plastic bottles and I am so hesitant to buy plastic wrapped snacks. When you love water and see so much plastic floating on the water, you are sure to develop an aversion towards plastic. Also, so many of us ended up collecting garbage on the way, cleaning the backwaters. This bond that’s been built with the water is a strong one, and here to stay.
Tired? Get towed
Yes it’s all fun and exciting, but getting tired is just natural. Especially, for someone like me who has never kayaked before. Would you believe me if I say that being tired is fun too? It is fun to be towed by the fellow kayakers, while you lie down gazing at the sky. Do this for a little longer, and expect to be flipped. Obviously, you can’t take advantage of the kindness that people show. Start again, paddle into the amber sunset and it’s time to call it a day. 
It’s a sense of achievement to complete 20 km on the first day. And then you wait to hog on the dinner. Luggage has already arrived at this rustic waterside cottage, I just want to quickly get my sleeping bag, and crash in my tent. But, I waited for another hour, dragging myself to watch local cultural dance and songs with my droopy eyes.
