Our excursion to Monkey Island was arranged by our friend Philippe Jaczynski by negotiating with the boatmen who hung out on the beach of Amari Vogue. The boat he chartered was large enough to hold his family of five and the two of us. Henry and I were delighted to have been included on this trip off island, and anticipated the fun of kayaking through the lagoons of the karsts, small islands which were dotted this area of the Andaman Sea. All of us had a wonderful day on this nature trip which included a twenty minute ride in a fast, wooden, and shaded long boat to our initial destination After we arrived at the small inhabited island, the whole group disembarked, wading in shallow waters to climb onto our appointed kayaks built for three, called “Tri-Yaks”. Philippe, France, his artist-wife, Alexander and Angelic, their children, boarded one, while France’s mother, Madys sat on the bow of a second kayak with our guide. Henry and I boarded the third, and we were pointed across a shallow lagoon to Monkey Island. It was fascinating paddling across the sandbars and around the islands, which were undercut with the sea water and eroded by the wind. These tall outcroppings were made of limestone, iron, and quartz, with white streaks staining their surfaces. Some of the bases of these islands were eaten away by the sea to such a point that they resembled stalactite formations, normally seen in caves. Rowing the kayak was real exercise as we entered the lagoons, rowing against the windswept waters of low tide.  The scene was beautiful as we powered our way through the roots of mangrove trees with their bright yellow-green leaves. There was no need to worry about finding the monkeys of Monkey Island, as they, curious and ever hungry, found us. Suddenly two furry creatures with long tails were spotted in the trees above us. The children in the “family” kayak had each brought a banana, the last of the supply that the resort’s kitchen had to offer us! Immediately, one of the aggressive beasts jumped onto the kayak holding four people -- and, with some searching, found what he was looking for: BANANAS!  Six year old Alexander was cool, handing over the loot immediately. The monkey took his time peeling  and eating the banana, with a graceful tail hanging over the kayak for balance. Next, he frightened four-year-old Angelic by searching for the banana she had hidden in the pareo covering her legs. Relieved of these offerings, we rowed to see an abandoned gypsy fishing village, and saw shallow caves where the dead of this tribe were “buried”.  As we paddled farther into the waters of the lagoon, other kayakers warned us of low tide and shallow water. We eventually had to turn back, as the sea had retreated,  leaving us without enough depth to navigate any further. Back through the lagoon and across the sea we rowed, plying the waters.  A fresh coconut at the local restaurant was a delicious reward for everyone, as we sipped the healthy coconut water and ate the tender young flesh contained within. A delicious lunch awaited us at Bellini after we were returned to the beach of Amari Vogue.  This was a wonderful-- though not too lazy  a day -- in paradise!

Note: On this trip we spotted: monkeys, birds, a monitor lizard, and small amphibian fish.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. Monkey in a mangrove tree. 2. Monkey consuming his banana. Alexander is in the foreground, France, his mother is in the background. Angelic is hidden from view by sitting in her mother’s lap at the bow of the kayak. 3. Father and son: Philippe and Alexander. 4.  Jourdan in paradise, returned to the beach of Amari Vogue. Center, Top: Henry and Jourdan, ready for the excursion.  Center, Bottom: Our “guide”  pointing to our initial destination. Right Column:  1. The lagoon amidst the islands. 2. View from the lagoon toward the sea, with more karsts beyond. 3. The Borely-Jaczynski family kayaking in the lagoon of Monkey Island. 4. The trip back aboard the long boat: left-right: Angelic, Madys, Philippe, France, Henry. Alexander is hidden.

Photo Credits: Left Column #2 and Center Top are courtesy of Philippe Jaczynski.

The photo of Jourdan Left Column #4 is thanks to Henry Ziegler.

All the others were shot  by JAZ.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                         BACK TO MAP PAGE