What to expect when going on vacation with a fisherman.

Of course I wasn’t surprised when he wanted to pack a couple travel rods, lures, weights and hooks. What was surprising was being offered a boat to use, free of charge, at our disposal. The blue plastic boat was roughly no bigger than a double kayak, complete with built in seats, but it was more than sufficient for our needs. The fun part was the motor, which needed some fine tuning/adjustments and to be mounted to the transom. But all in half a days work, a half sack of beers and some bro time with the man of the establishment, Art.

Good old Art. He knew his Auntie had an old boat hanging around, and it runs in the family – their generous ways. She did (FYI), begrudgingly, accepted payment at the end of our trip, we weren’t going to leave without her taking it. Such a doll she was, she spoke no English, but didn’t have to. Her little shop on the mangrove sells fishing supplies for the squid fishing boats and hooks for locals, ice, beer and snacks. She would nap on the stairs, during the midday heat, but would half wake up when we paraded by with the daily catch. We were probably a sight. A couple farangs that want to catch fish. We didn’t particularly want to eat it. The boyfriend just likes to fish is all. That, and barracuda was on his short list of things to kill. Which he did, numerous times. I was mostly in it for the island exploration. Hidden coves and beaches. Uninhabited islets. Forgotten bays. That’ll have to wait until next year, because once I get out on those open ocean swells I can taste the vomit rising in my throat. Pleasant. I would also be game for a jet ski… just saying.