Sunday 3 March
WHAT A WINDY DAY!
The sea was rough, the windy was strong, there was rain on and off and all I could think was, "Oh my goodness, today is going to a challenge!" Patricks response was, "What a great training day!" He wisely told me from the beginning, that if we can cover all the hardest parts now, in training, then when it comes to the actual tour nothing is going to be too unexpected or surprising. SO... on with the training then!
I was very lucky to be given the opportunity to use one of Benoit Pigeot's hand-crafted wooden paddles. The most beautiful light weight paddles based on the ancient designs of the Inkas. These paddles cut into the water so perfectly, like a knife into butter. Benoit, Patrick and I left from Kalodyne to Mellville where we were to meet a group who were joining us for a half day paddle. The wind and the current was against us but it wasn't worth thinking about that, one just had to keep paddling.
Once the group was assemble and kitted up and in their Kayaks, off we went to the Red Church in Cap Malheureux. This was certainly a much easier leg of the journey as we were going with the current and the wind was behind us!
Once we got to the Red Church everyone's kayaks,paddles, lifejackets and so on were loaded into the big blue Yemaya van and everyone went home. Alas, that was not the end of my training!
After eating a Rhoti (local Mauritian street food) Patrick, Benoit and I returned to Kalodyne... against the current and the wind AGAIN. Despite the weather however, I was loving this. The adrenaline was pumping and all I wanted to do was prove my strength (both physically and in my head). The highlight, was undoubtably having a little visit from a huge turtle who just popped up right next my kayak.
What an wonderful place Mauritius is and how lucky I am to go on this adventure!
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