My Incredible Journey: ANDRE, LIESI & THE DEEP WATERS HOTEL

AN EPIC JOURNEY

We are Liani Broodryk, Maria Botha, Dante and Katryn, the Ripples for Good team. Before we called ourselves anything we were just 2 girls and 2 Jack Russels who, in the spur of the moment, decided to pack up a life that did not seem to make sense and trade it in for the road less travelled. In October 2004, we started our journey by cycling out of St Lucia, with heavy laden bicycles and a dog in each basket, making our way to Cape Town.

The spontaneous nature of our very first expedition left us with no definite route, no backup vehicles, and no support or sponsorships. We were merely equipped with a fierce desire to make a difference and a dream of purpose. We thought that if we let go of our fears, our need for security and our opinions, we might experience life differently and become in sync with our DESTINY.

Thus far we have managed to cycle, hike and kayak over 15 000 kms through South Africa solely on this fierce desire and dream of purpose. Along the way we have learned to sketch out rough "guideline" routes, managed to find support and sponsorship in the most amazing people that believed in what we do and have been even further inspired by many people and organizations who do so much for the conservation and preservation of all life. We have been actively involved with awareness campaigns with great emphasis on child abuse and anti-animal cruelty.

In continuing on the next chapter of our journey we seriosly want to help make a difference in the water crisis that is plaguing the world we live in at an alarming rate. Today, water pollution and water scarcity, is one of the greatest threats to humanity. We want you to join us on our next big adventure - circumnavigating South Africa, parts of Namibia and Mozambique, unaided and using various different means of transport in our passionate mission to motivate change in the waterways.

It Starts With You...

Sunday 25 January 2009

ANDRE, LIESI & THE DEEP WATERS HOTEL

We were supposed to meet a friend, Andre, at the Scandinaviadrift Bridge around lunchtime, and according to some, it was almost 17kms along the river. We had an early start, and started paddling like animals. The river once again changed a bit, and we met some people fishing on the banks, but eventually all I could think was to paddle and not feel, or think. We had a head wind, which was slightly bothersome, and very few rapids, which made for intensive paddling.

Eventually, I asked everyone we came across, how far it still was towards this bridge, and the first group said 2kms, the second person said 8, and the third said 2. Confusing if you ask me and never ask anyone who hasn't actually paddled the distance, how far it is. Anyhow, it turned out to be all of the above, so the third was spot on.It was the happiest face, to see Liesi and Andre waiting on the banks, just before the bridge. I still had another 500m to go, but it felt like I couldn't bridge the gap. It is always brilliant to see old friends.

We sat for hours catching up, we almost forgot about dinner. We had a barbeque and for us there was the most delicious butterfish, salads, sweet potato and garlic bread. It has been a long time since I ate so much, but the food was so good, I had to go back for more.
Liesi helped Maria set up camp, as we were going to camp on the riverbank. There was going to be a party with the band M2 performing tonight, but since I have never heard of this band, and we were having a good time on our own, we decided to enjoy each others company until it was time for bed. This was a truly magical evening.