EXPLORE
TASTE
REFLECT
CREATE
L E F T: World champion
kiteboarder Kristin Boese
glides over clear water
and colourful coral in
Indonesia, a beautiful
shot captured by the
photographer from a
non-motorized paraglider
B E L O W L E F T:
There are few more
relaxing ways to spend
a holiday than gently
bobbing atop aquamarine
waters in a sail boat
Nobody would blame you
if your idea of the perfect
holiday is a week of lying on
a sun lounger, falling asleep
to the dulcet sound of waves
gently lapping the whitesand beach, a paperback on
your belly and a cool drink
at your side. For many, this is
the quintessential comedown
from a world of endless texts
and emails, phone calls and
meetings. Sometimes it’s
good just to sleep it off; all the
better if you’re in paradise.
No Experience Necessary Let’s begin
with a disclaimer: you don’t need to be
skilled in the water or swim like a fish
to appreciate many of these resorts’
most popular water sports activities
(although it doesn’t hurt). Take a look
at any of the glossy brochures and
U N D E R T H E B A N YA N T R E E
01/06
2016
K I T E F LY I N G
While kiteboarding is a
relatively new sport, the
use of kites as a means of
propulsion is said to date
as far back as the 13th
century, discovered by
the Chinese. Man lifting
kites were pioneered in
the early 1900s when
Samuel Cody succeeded
in crossing the English
Channel in a kite-powered
boat. Kiteboarding only
took off in the 1980s —
accredited to the French
brothers Dominique and
Bruno Legaignoux.
OCEANS OF FUN
Watersports don't all
have to be fast paced
and adrenalin fuelled if
you prefer a quieter life.
Guests at Angsana Ihuru
who want to take to the
waves at their own pace
can make the most of
the waves with hobie-cat
sailing, windsurfing or
even try reef fishing.
PHOTOS: JODY MACDONALD (MAIN); GETTY IMAGES
That week or two of lazing on a
sunlounger may seem like a good plan.
That is, until you see the neighbours
speed by on jet skis, blast over the
waves on a windsurfing board, or gear
up on a boat to go scuba diving with
sharks. (Or you get sunburnt on the first
day.) Watching the fun from dry land,
you might feel like you are missing out
on something. And, quite honestly, if
you're holidaying in a part of the world
where the aquamarine waters promise
a playground of adventure — and you
never leave the comfort of the shore —
there’s a lot to miss out on.
For the dedicated land-lover,
there are an ocean of possibilities that
should transform you into a waterloving adventurer in no time. Whether
you are on a honeymoon or a family
vacation, there’s no better place to start
a life-long love affair with the seas than
at one of the four most exciting water
playgrounds of Indonesia, Maldives,
Mauritius or Thailand.
you will see a number of unique activities just for you.
Popular pursuits at Mauritius’ Angsana Balaclava range
from glass-bottom boat adventures to piloting your
own submarine (to a depth of three metres), and require
nothing but a few dollars and a sense of adventure.
There are windsurfing courses if you are new to
the sport (or just rental boards if you can pull off a
“backside wave 360” like a pro), catamaran sailing
courses, and lessons for kite surfing, kneeboarding,
waterskiing, wakeboarding and more. Scuba dive at Ile
Plat, near Angsana Balaclava, where it is shallow enough
for novice divers (at 12 metres) but with the thrilling
opportunity of seeing blacktip sharks at close hand —
guaranteed to set the heart a flutter.
If you prefer a more sedate lifestyle, there is tubing
or banana boat riding, casting and night fishing. For
many of the best activities you don’t even need to get
wet — big game fishing is popular with novices, and all
the family can enjoy a sunset cruise or an afternoon on a
catamaran searching for dolphins.
Angsana Laguna Phuket] for families is
kayaking,” says Kullawit. “For kayaking
you don’t need to be an expert to
enjoy it; parents can just grab a kayak,
practice in the lagoon, then grab the
kids and go for a ride.”
Ocean kayaking is one of the
simpler pleasures in life. Once you have
established your balance — with or
without a passenger in front — it’s easy
to get a feel for the kayak, as you glide
over the water in front of the resort. The
kids can peer over the side (wearing life
jackets of course) and glimpse at what
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