“What?… All seven of us are getting into that sliver-thin canoe?”
My first thoughts were of keeping my camera equipment safe in the event that we were to tip over.
We loaded single file into the tiny boat. Each person had to sit down before the other person could set foot in the boat in order to keep balance. Once the first person sat down, our guide then placed a small, wooden seat in front of them for the next person to sit on.
Boat Ride from Hell in Chitwan, Nepal
I wanted to be the last one on the boat, but of course there was always somebody else in my group who insisted they were helpless and needed to have special treatment. I had already spent ten days with the people in this group and I was a bit apprehensive about trusting them to keep the boat from tipping over.
Our guide was the last to pile in the boat and right before take off he has the nerve to say, “Keep your balance or we will tip over.”
My muscles tightened as I spent all of my concentration making sure I didn’t move an inch. I didn’t even want to get my camera from my bag. This boat trip would never fly as a tour in the States.
Our guide pointed out wildlife as our boat swayed back and forth. I had a hard time enjoying the scenery and kept wondering how long I would have to endure this boat ride.
And then my worst nightmare came true.
Our guide began pointing out all the crocodiles lounging in the water around us. Now my biggest fear is no longer ruining my camera equipment and photos, but the fact that tipping over could mean slow death by crocodile.
The other tourists in the boat began turning their bodies in order to get a better shot of the man-eaters along the shore and in the water causing our boat to rock more aggressively from side to side.
Finally, I yelled… “Don’t rock the boat!!”
Followed by our guide’s calm voice, “Sit still or we will tip over.”
All I wanted was for every person in the canoe to stop talking and moving so we could regain our balance. I didn’t even want anybody to breathe.
The next twenty minutes were all a blur. When our boat docked along the mud embankment, I could finally feel the calming of my heartbeat.
I wish I could say that was the extent of my life-threatening experience, but the drama continued.
Once on dry land, our guide insisted we gather for a pep talk before we entered the walking part of our tour through the jungle.
“Now I want to prepare you for what to do in the event that we are spotted by a rhinoceros, a tiger or a bear.”
“Seriously?! I think I want to get back on the boat!!!!”
You can read Part II to this story here: Nature Walk from Hell
Read More:
10 Important Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers
How to Pack for a Sailing Trip
The Best Luggage Brands of 2019
The Ultimate Nepal Travel Guide + Packing Tips
Is there going to be a part II to do this or did you only have time to write this part before being trampled by a rhino? 🙂
While not a canoe, I share some of the fears of a boat in the water. Went white water rafting near Coloma a few years ago only to be flipped out in frigid waters on the very first and longest part of the rapids. I got stuck in the corner in freezing water with about a mile’s worth of rapids to go through. It wasn’t a pleasant experience.
Ha! Stay tuned for part II where I talk about all of our animal encounters and how I had to fight them off with my bare hands. 🙂 Your story sounds scary. I can’t imagine falling out of one of those boats in rapids.
LOL… yes, you really don’t know where it’s safer. In a canoe or on your feet on land! 🙂
I’m glad you know what I mean! The pep talk didn’t exactly make me feel any safer. Am I supposed to climb a tree, stare at a tiger or play dead for the bear?
Hahaha, awesome story! We went salt water croc spotting in Australia, but the boat was not the kind can tip like yours. So dicey!
I would have been fine in a bigger boat that wasn’t so shaky. I swear our boat driver was messing with us too. :/
Wow. I know how scary those crocs are, but I was in a MUCH sturdier boat. You’re so brave!
Well, I don’t know if I was brave because I considered not entering the boat once I saw how small and unsteady it was.
LOL! Have you seen the tiger?? I went to Northern India in May, I looked for the tiger every single day and NOTHING! I was so disappointed..from the car though, not walking, or at least not at night when there is more chance to see it 😉
Yea. I wish we had a car. 🙂 We did see some tiger tracks. Our guide thought it was cool and I just wanted to get out of there! lol
Wow! I was nervous just reading about it. Can’t wait to hear what happens next.
I wasn’t planning on posting a part two, but I may have to now. 🙂
I would have panicked just like you, knowing we would have had our camera equipment too.
Haha. My first thoughts are always about my gear. People think I’m a totally wuss when it comes to rain because I run for shelter so my bag doesn’t get wet. I wouldn’t care about getting drenched if I didn’t have electronics with me all the time.