Mermaid Cruises - sublime...

[mermaid]

Hi Chromeman,

Thanks very much for your bookings.
Everything is confirmed and we look forward to seeing you next month!



@ Artilery:
The fireflies are always there.
Just how many we see depends on the weather conditions and the water level.
For some reason, we see a lot more very clearly when the tide is low.

[Chromeman]

For some reason, we see a lot more very clearly when the tide is low.

Looks like it is high tide at 21:00 the day of our Firefly cruise... Just hope it will still be a good view.

[Big Boy]

Please give us a report on each Chromeman.

[Chromeman]

No problems, I can manage that Big Boy.

Probably going to take a lot of pictures, and will make the FB photo albums I will create public and share the links here so you can all see how bad I am as a photographer.

[Chromeman]

We had our first cruise earlier today, the Eco-River cruise.

They picked us up at the hotel a little after 08:30 and after picking up two older other couples, we headed of to the company marina where another older couple with what I believe was their two grandsons.

Some of us got some coffee, then after a small introduction by the guide, we went aboard the boat and off we were. The only sound was the small waves lapping at the hull. The electric engine was silent.

On our way into the mangrove forest we passed many fishing vessels, and also saw several under construction.

After a winding way among the canals inside the mangrove forest, we went ashore and took a walk along the pathways to a small center showing a little about life in the mangrove forest, and life in Thailand a 100 years ago, including a kitchen.

Then back to the boat where we went back past the fishing vessels and into another part of the mangrove forest. There we had a fairly long walk on these walkways. I saw a snake and some crabs. It was hot and humid so it was a though experience for me who only 1 week ago come from a winter in Northern Norway!

Back in the boat we went back to the marina where we were served a very nice and hot lunch, and the couple of curries was seasoned for farang tongues.

Then we settled our bills and paid for the trip plus the bear or soda we had with the lunch.

Back in the boat we headed up the Pran Buri river looking for kingfisher birds and monitor lizards, and we did see some during our trip, but mostly in the lower part of the river. We also saw some mud crawler fish, after some googling, I think they are called mudskippers.

The rest of the trip was a bit boring (and very hot) with very little wildlife to see, and mostly more or less expensive homes dotting the river banks. After about 2 hours(?) we reached the disembarkation point where the same cars and drivers from this morning was waiting for us, ready to take us back to our hotels.

I forgot to bring a decent camera (had to get up at 06:45...), so the only pictures I took were with my mobile phone camera, but it does gives me OK pictures unless I need to zoom into something like mud crawlers or monitor lizards...

I have uploaded the pictures in a new photo album on Facebook, and if you go to it with this link, you will be able to see the pictures even if you are not a FB member.

I am looking forward to the next cruise, the Firefly cruise on the 21st. And I promise to bring a better camera on that trip!

[Big Boy]

Thanks for the report. I guess no 2 trips on the Eco Cruise will be the same, and the wildlife can't be guaranteed. I don't think we had a dull moment when we did the cruise.

That monitor lizard looks like a good specimen - how long do you estimate?

I'm looking forward to the Firefly cruise report - definitely a trip that appeals to me.

[Chromeman]

If you are thinking about the last one we did see (and take pictures of) I would guess about 2 meters long. Definitely the biggest one on this trip.

[Kraka's Dad]

Just back from HH. Went o an Eco Cruise and I must say it was great. Everything it says on the website and more.
Thomas the guide was informative but not intrusive.
The veggie meal they provided just for Helen was lovely so I am told. The rest of the food provided was great.
A wonderful day and would not hesitate to endorse it!
Anyone who has not been do go you will enjoy it!!!

[Chromeman]

Looking forward to do the Firefly cruise on Friday!

[Big Boy]

I'm looking forward to your report, with loads of photos

[Chromeman]

[mermaid]

Just back from HH. Went o an Eco Cruise and I must say it was great. Everything it says on the website and more.
Thomas the guide was informative but not intrusive.
The veggie meal they provided just for Helen was lovely so I am told. The rest of the food provided was great.
A wonderful day and would not hesitate to endorse it!
Anyone who has not been do go you will enjoy it!!!

Hi Kraka's Dad,

Thanks a lot for your kind comments. It was a pleasure to have you along and we hope to see you again.

@ chromeman
I'm sorry there wasn't so much wildlife to see on your tour but, as Big Boy has pointed out, this is something totally beyond our control.
Only twice in the 8 or so years we have been running this tour have we not seen any monitor lizards at all - the key words being "have not seen". The animals are definitely there, though, and are very well camouflaged to blend in with their environment.
By the way, the record so far has been the spotting of 54 monitors during one trip.
So I'm afraid it's a bit of 'luck of the draw' on any given day.

Anyway, let's hope for a good show of fireflies next Friday

[Chromeman]

Had a great trip today on the Firefly cruise. Will post a report and pictures tomorrow when I get the time.

[Big Boy]

[cookie102]

Can anybody help me with an email address for the above.
I have tried their contact form with no success.
Thanks