Oh, now I see! (That's why I'm a newbie and not a detective...heee!)
So the kayaks are the roadblock, probably done soon after they arrive. And whatever they are doing with these boats is a detour. And there may be another detour involving pickles? (unless that is a totally red-herring pickle comment?) Pickles and chutney do seem to be a popular export. That area seems to offer a lot of choice for a cool detour: boating, para-sailing, diving/snorkeling--even a "walk-on-the-bottom-of the sea in a divers suit" a la Rebecca/Adam...
Where does Chateau de Reduit come in? Is that the pit stop?
And I've always wondered...could Izabela's geeky Lori really have been Erwin?