"You could quite easily imagine Max in a uniform scaring people witless with that voice and physique. His eyes could probably freeze you to death!"

After hearing our guide brief us as the fishing type boat made its way out of the harbour towards the Angthong National Park and our day's sea kayaking, you knew not to mess with Max. He seemed like a really nice guy and easy to talk to. Any questions were fielded effortlessly and insightfully. But you also knew that he was a very tough customer. Although we reckoned he was in his mid forties, he had a physique that Daniel Craig as James Bond must have modeled himself on. There was not an ounce of fat on him! Both Amanda and Ing admitted that he looked pretty good! (Luckily for Ing though, Max has the same physique as me!) With the short blonde spiky hair and had various tattoos snaking up and down his arms and shoulders, you knew that here was somebody to respect! Even after 18 years on the island, he still seemed more German that Thai!

The national park is more marine than terrestrial, but nevertheless, it was stunning. Here and there, small beached clung to alcoves giving way to trees and shrubs that seem to tenuously emerge from the grey limestone crags, nooks and crannies. It was easy to see why there were so many razor sharp edges all over this hills that poked up above the turquoise blue water.

Limestone does not retain water within itself and has a chemical compound that makes it, geologically, easy to dissolve. The combination of seawater eroding the bases of these hills and the rain water dissolving and eroding all the weak points, overhangs, caves and collapsed craters can be found all over the marine park. There is no better way to see all of this except by sea kayak. The area is sheltered from big swell and is relatively shallow and with kayaks built like battleships even a novice would find it easy to enjoy the area without the fear of falling in! What a better way to spend a day than seeing an out of the way place of natural beauty with friends doing a little exercise and getting a tan at the same time? Plus you get an enjoyable boat trip there and back where breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea was served! No wonder Max had decided to stay for 18 years!

Amanda had a t-shirt that said "A bad day in the water is much better than a good day in the office". Indeed.