How to See Paradise with the Help of a Paddle
Time Magazine 31 July 2000

WHEN THE INUIT FIRST EXPLORED the Arctic in their kayaks, they faced freezing temperatures, angry polar bears and risk of being crushed between shifting ice flows. By comparison, kayaking in Asia is a much more pleasant affair. The highly mobile craft now made of fiberglass and plastic rather than the traditional sealskin - is a handy vehicle for exploring Asia's tiny islands and hidden beaches, and a growing number of adventure travel companies are offering trips that don't require exceptional courage. You need not be an experienced oarsman to get in on the fun: a few minutes training on the first day will teach you all you need to paddle a kayak safely and comfortably with a guided group.
And kids, as long as they like water, are welcome.

In Phang Nga bay, near Phuket. Lined with mangroves and filled with bizarre limestone crags that reach up to 300 m in height, the bay is home to kingfishers and other seabirds and a trove of aquatic life. Nearly silent kayaks allow paddlers to get close to wildlife without frightening it away and to explore the narrow confines of sea caves.

SEAL features six day journeys to Burma's isolated Mergui Archipelago. There are so few human inhabitants here that wildlife can easily run wild; it's unusually common for kayakers to catch glimpses of monkeys, pigs, parrots, hornbills and sea eagles. The trip costs $800, including meals and ground transport.