Irrawaddy dolphins kayak

Early start for the dolphin briefing, just time for a toastie. Got on the truck for a 30 minute drive up river. The guide and driver unloaded the kayaks and we put on life jackets. Paddled across the mighty Mekong River, tough going against the flow. It’s the end of the rainy season so the river was 15-20 metres higher than in the dry season, the source is the Himalayan mountains. Kayaks joined together for information about the dolphins - adults are 2 to 2.8 metres long, resemblance to baby beluga whales, they have the ability to submerge underwater, holding their breath for up to 12 minutes, although their typical diving is usually under 1 minute. They are an endangered species with only 92 in the Mekong River. Then we paddled to the submerged forest, spent about an hour paddling around to spot the dolphins. Had a short break from the paddling on an island and was given snacks of a banana and a bamboo cane stuffed with sticky rice - quite a battle to get it out. The paddle back straight across the river was long and exhausting. I celebrated seeing the dolphins with a mimosa! A brilliant experience.Read more