Cap D Ambre
Every time I crossed the shoulder of a hill I was hoping that finally I would be there, but no, this island was going to drag it out. Rivers and swamps were the order of the day. One becomes so desperate in a way that weirdly you are just km from the end and a [...]
I just need sleep
It was now 2-30 in the morning I had been going for about 14 hours, exhorted, wet and hungry, I had to rest. There was no village in sight. I had stopped many a time to listen for animal sounds or the tell tale chicken crow , nothing. There were no lights, not even the [...]
Out to sea
It was now dark, the going was near impossible. The rain had started again and I was basically stumbling and sliding around in the dark. Blinded by insects in my headlamp light and eaten alive by mosquitoes, attacking my face and ears all the time. Insect repellent did not help as the rain just washed [...]
Flash floods
I have become so used to rain on this journey. Running in the monsoon season, this was expected, but not in the volumes that I had seen. Never have i experienced so much water in such a short space of time. With months of rain, the soil is totally saturated, it can’t absorb a drop [...]
Madness takes its toll
For months it’s been a battle to get the driver to leave the road to meet up with me, or even to drive 100 meters into the bush to a decent camp site. The thought seemed to send into a sweaty frenzy of fear at what might lurk there. So bad is his fear, that [...]
The great trek
I had not much of an option; the end of the island was 68 km away. There were no roads. No way of any support to get back. I would have to push to the end, and then turn around and push all the way back again. It would be a 136 km round trip. [...]
Deago Suarez
A port town on the wind swept North west coast, set up for sea trade. Populated with a tapestry of different looking folk who through the ages made it here by sea. There are signs of beautiful architecture every where, quaint buildings, winding streets, a real feel of energy. Like every city on this island, [...]
What are we looking for?
Every time I embark on a journey, I have questions, about my life in some way, i am always out there looking for answers, in a way yes. What better place than out there on your own, hours and hours to look within search and question. I started on my first journey and this [...]
Regaining sanity
Early morning light slowly twists and nudges its way between the branches and leaves of the forest canapé. Bending rolling and squeezing its way between the tree trunks. Finally it manages to penetrate through and a beam, bounces off the ground cover, exploding into misty particles, each little drop of energy bringing life to the [...]
Chameleon
Of all the creatures on this island, the chameleon has taken my fancy. Graceful, patient draped in colour with an aura about it. In a way to me it is so vulnerable, yet so wily and wise and with a bit of attitude.
There are over a dozen different species on the island and I have [...]
