One of the holiday highlights was sea kayaking in the twilight at Freycinet National Park.

Kayaking, well. I suck. Damjan and I were always the last people to catch up to the group, trailing by a long way. I was incredibly frustrated, almost in tears. I don’t like slowing people down. Damjan tried to calm me down. He’d put down his paddle and try to persuade me just to enjoy the sea and scenery.

And then it started raining with thunder and lighting and the waves got big and my eyes stung with saltwater and I couldn’t see and we were further behind and I was wet.

At last, we pulled into a small bay. Damjan helped me pull my wet outer-clothes off. I was too upset to be much help.

I was somewhat cheered up when the kayaking guides greeted us with hot chocolate, tea and coffee, as well as chocolate brownies. There’s nothing like chocolate brownies to calm a girl down.

This time when we got back into the kayaks, I sat in front and Damjan got to steer. This was a big relief because I could barely figure out the paddling bit, let alone control the boat at the same time.

I immediately felt better. The waves seemed calmer. There was no salt in my eyes. The water was warm. The rain fell vertically, pattering onto ocean surface, instead of horizontally into my eyes. I began to sing sea songs — “Beyond the Sea“, “Under the Sea” and “Drunken Sailor“. I really don’t know that many sea shanties.

We saw dozens of little silver fish suddenly break out of the sea and leap over the surface again and again and again.

Damjan, you’re right, the scenery really is lovely.

We were all soaking and cold when we reached the shore. Ah! What we wouldn’t give for a hot shower and clean clothes! But it was not to be for Damo and Joel.

Joel was splashing in the ocean. One of the guides saw him and said, “What’s happening there? Is someone going to get dumped in?” Joel’s ears perked up when he heard this. He leapt onto the shore and bore down towards Damjan. Vera, James and I barely had time to register them as they sped past and wrestled each other into the sea.

“What are you doing?! [sputter] [sputter]”

“Get off me Damo! Damnit, you’re heavy!”

Hahahaha!

They came out of the sea, saturated and grinning. What a sight we all were, standing behind the car, shivering. The people in the pub in front were probably laughing. Except for me, everyone had towels wrapped around their waists. Joel didn’t care. He wanted beer! So he wandered into the pub, wearing his towel-skirt and not much else. Apparently, he got slapped on his behind 🙂

Joan versus Freycinet National Park.

Joel rewards himself with a post-dumping beer.

A beautiful sunset to end our kayaking adventure.