Our ‘Wild Woman Sisterhood’ River Adventure

Yet…as we went to sleep that night in our 2-man tent (on out little cot beds) we looked at each other and asked one another “What the hell have we signed up for?!” ???? Seriously, we were 2 woman that have not camped as adults and personally I had only ever camped once before in my life. For weeks we had teased each other about how we were doing a “mini Survivor” like the famous TV series and we are both not crazy about the critters that go bump in the night! Anyway, we were each given a 60 litre dry bag to fit our ENTIRE lives into for a week. I am talking:

which 2 fabulous guides fitted onto 3 crocs (the brown bags in the picture above are the 60 litre dry bags) and rowed them in the front and at the back of the pack for us! Then in our smaller – personal – dry bags (the little green and blue bags on my board in the picture below) that we carried on our boards, we had to fit:

This was crazy and we honestly wondered how we would possibly survive an entire week with such meagre supplies. WELL…. all I can say is, that on that first night at base camp, we had zero idea what was in store for us!

Everyday had us paddling 9 – 12 km’s down the river (very much alone with yourself as the gaps between us were large) and we alternated on both sides of the border (depending on how far we got and which side would be the best campsite) for lunch time stops – because the river is scorching hot in the afternoons – and night time sleep overs. There is nothing out there on the Orange River except for nature in all her splendour and glory. No buildings to take refuge in from the heat during the day and the cold at night when you are sleeping under the ceiling of our galaxy’s stunning stars. Zero light switch to turn off the brightness of the full moon we were blessed to have on our trip – or to switch on when we heard strange noises in the pitch-black dark of the night. There is no toilet to use so you have to dig a hole; sit on a camp seat to do your stuff; and a shovel to cover the hole. An oar is used to show others that the toilet is in use and a stick is used to mark your hole so that another person does not dig yours up. There is no kitchen with appliances to make cooking simply and easy: instead the guys set up a table, a fire and every single meal was prepared by hand or on the fire and totally delicious and scrumptious after a day’s hard physical work! Each morning I was roused by one of the guides starting a new fire and the chime of Billy’s gong and our morning coffee or tea was always ready for us after water was boiled on the fire in a kettle. There was no ‘reverse-osmosis’ pure and fresh water to drink; we took our water straight from the river into our water bottles, Billy used her ‘magic-potion’ sterilisation drops to purify it and we drank it straight from nature’s source like that. Billy led us in a beautiful yoga practise most mornings and nights to soothe and prepare our bodies for the coming days’ paddling or the nights hard surface sleep. During the lunchtime breaks or before dinner Billy would do body work on those she felt needed it and night times were always ended by the fire, chatting, bonding and laughing. And did we laugh! There was so much laughter, joy and support created by our lovely group of ladies, that even when I took a hard tumble against some rocks; I was loved, looked after and taken care of by each member of our team to the degree that I felt comforted like no other time in my life.

There were rapids to navigate on our boards that scared the hell out of me, but I did them ALL and was so super proud of myself and each lady that got through each one of them. There may have been no power, but by god were there the most amazing sunsets we had ever laid our eyes upon. No filter needed stuff I tell you! There were long sandy beaches with wild horses roaming and sleeping close to our camp. There may have been zero comforts that our modern day lives have but there were crazy, fun, child-like moments to be had like a nappy run down rapids – which entails you putting your life jacket on upside down around your legs (protecting your bum) and going down a rapid in the defensive swimming position without your board! Instead of our kids running around, there we goats running ramped over our things that we laid out in the sun to dry during lunch time siesta. Then there was the bond that the river magically formed with you. Without needing any permission nor your consent, the river just grows its own special place in your heart and Mel and I now fondly call it “our river”. The greatest thing that struck me was how no millimetre is the same on that river and leaves such a huge impression on your soul that we will definitely be doing the journey again.

We had our fair share of run-ins with bugs that completely freaked some of us out of our minds, but Billy and her team always had our backs and handled them efficiently ???? In fact, one of the guides (Matt) really took it upon his young shoulders to protect us ladies. Night time was just all about climbing into your sleeping bag in and amongst the wild and going to sleep….as simple as that. There are no bathrooms so bathing means going into the river and washing your body and hair and then waking up and brushing your teeth with your water bottle. There is no civilisation to be seen on the river; just goat herders, goats and their herding dogs (one of which makes friends with you – so cute!) and those people are so respectful that even when you are on ‘their’ river bank, they will not come down or near you until you leave. On one particular day we had other adventurers pass us on crocs and we all greeted one another in passing, but for the most part of it there was no one else except for the 11 of us.

There is something magical and mystical about this place. This adventure. This trip. It is the ‘realist’ thing I have ever done in my life, and the simplest! I was comfortable, true and authentic and I also found myself observing a bunch of women discovering their true authentic selves. Discovering an adventurous side of themselves that they wanted to explore further in the future. As woman, mothers, sisters, wives, workers, friends, we find ourselves self-sacrificing for others all the time. Spouses, partners, children, work always seems to get a front row seat in our lives as we are groomed to put others needs in front of our own, and here I was gifted the pleasure of witnessing women revel in the wonderment of putting everything on hold while they lived in the moment of each new day having the experience of a lifetime. Above all else, I watched in awe as my lovely sister broke through all her own personal boundaries from a society that constantly judged her. I looked on in pure love as she discovered her strength again after having forgotten it over the past 2 decades. How proud I was of her! My chest swelled with all of the emotions I felt watching her go through her own personal growth and self-discovery. I felt blessed to be part of her journey ????

Then, at lunchtime on the 5th day it ends. We arrived on the Namibian side of the river at a pick-up point and a wave of accomplishment and disappointment rushed over me. I cried. I had loved the detox on the river. There is no cell service. No technology. Just nothingness in terms of modern day living BUT there is ‘everythingness’ in terms of nature and life and I am always talking about how nature is our greatest teacher. Everything is done with effortless ease in nature. No striving. No competition. Nothing is done, yet nothing is left undone as the Toa says. I loved the times of isolation on the river when it was dead quiet, and I was left alone with myself to contemplate life; and I was going to miss that peace terribly. My intention on the river was for the river to be my teacher; ‘going with the flow’; and I got just that. We had strong currents, rocks to navigate, rapids to clear, the strongest head-winds to paddle against, poisonous creatures, 60+km’s to get through and zero of our own life’s comforts (including our loved ones) – a great metaphor for life’s bumps – and we had no; or very little; control over it. Yet, we made it. We survived, lived and even thrived!

My wish is that you also find your bliss. May you follow your purpose. Please find your adventure. I hope you find your sisterhood. Your support system. May you find your authenticity… and, most importantly, may you find yourself. Remember to stay true to yourself always!

I can help you on your path to finding and fulfilling your purpose. Please feel free to contact me for life coaching @ taz@ctrl-alt-renewlifecoaching.com or whatsapp me on +27 72 159 6142.