5 hour hike | 34^o | Feb 2024
"It was a beautiful hike that was professionally organised. I found it to be an excellent, unique experience of Zambia and its local tourism and culture. Here's to the next adventure!"
~ Princess G, Oxfordshire, UK
You will have read in our last post that nickandprincess.com have been travelling. Exploring! Discovering! Embracing adventures in Zambia!
Princess had the privilege of embarking on one of the internationally recognised Award Winning Hikes that mwilaadventure.com offers: The 13km Kafue River Walk "Naboye Trail" in Kafue Town, Zambia.
It has been 2 weeks since embarking on the 13km Kafue River Walk and I am now writing what I am referring to as 'Part 2' of reports on events of the day. In 'Part 1', I shared some inspirations, that included being 'Surrounded by nature, sun-kissed and breathing in deep breaths of fresh air...' [read more here] . Below is an extension of those thoughts.
Fostering Compassion
Systems/Environment
Rules. We discover or create them and from time to time, proceed to challenge them. Rules also challenge us. During pre-hike briefing we were reminded of a few rules designed for our safety amongst other things. I'll be honest, as I was standing further to the back and happily whispering at someone I was randomly seeing again for the first time in about 13 years, I didn't hear EVERYTHING that was said. I did pick up on what sounded like a no-nonsense policy on littering while out on the trail. It reminded me of something I once read, 'leave only footsteps, take only photographs'. What also stood out to me is the fact that a reminder not to throw litter in areas not designated for rubbish is still necessary. We cannot lose as a human race, by putting our rubbish in the bin, yet we sometimes forget (cue greenhouse gases, global warming etc.). We cannot lose as a human race by living out compassion everyday, yet we still forget (cue greed, abuse etc.). We need these reminders from each other about how to protect the spaces and routines that are protecting us.
Others
One of the cultural treats along the hike route was the privilege to walk past and learn about a local shrine. With visiting the shrine comes a list of traditional observations in the area that is applicable to all visitors. It goes without saying that the said observations were foreign to almost all of the group. Examples of how and when the shrine is used were narrated to us as we listened with bated breath. Often we find ourselves looking for the things other people have in common with us that so many people and practices are socially classified as 'different' as opposed to 'a moment for education'.
Another reminder! Everyday is a day to learn.
"You may not believe in it, but it is important to respect it."
~ Mwaba Mwila.
Further down you will read of the insect repellent that I childishly made use of. I smile when I think of the legend pharmacist I saw when I was paying for the repellent. To conclude our brief interchange on bites, he issued me this free, invaluable age-old advice: prevention is better than cure.
He spoke of mosquitoes, and I thought of personal habits or traits that need repelling to avoid curing.
Self
Personally, there were many utilised opportunities for self compassion. Being on the trip in itself was an act of self compassion and a reward and luxury I counted down to with focus and openheartedness. On the trip, I experienced quality 1-1 time with my Creator. Nothing tops that! I am intrigued by the fact that the care and compassion continues well after the hike. Nursing my bites and sunburn (see below), keeping hydrated, and sitting in moments of gratitude at the fresh mental recollections of the day. Compassion really is a gift that keeps on giving.
The practical stuff
mwilaadventure.com is Exploring the wild. Challenging you. Impacting communities, one adventure at a time.
It was very easy to get hot and dehydrated. While the company provides its clients with a checklist guide prior to the adventure, I am an adult that makes my own decisions! I am sharing my poor ones also for your benefit.
1. Here are some things that did help me:
A minimum of 3 litres water This was hardly enough with that heat, but my rucksack was heavy enough - and that was only one of my rookie errors.
A hat.
I got lucky! Honestly, very very lucky. I audibly, but politely, rejected my husbands reminder for my big, summer hat as I walked out of the front door, heading for the airport. I even ignored his telepathic message hating to say he 'told me so' the morning I arrived back home exhausted.
The night before the hike, family lent me a hat. I think their telepathic message read something along the lines of 'you're not in the UK now'.
Snacks
A packed lunch is provided to all hikers. (We had scrumptious chicken burgers!). I had stocked up on my classic choice of jelly sweets but did not have a single one. It was very hot! Additionally, and not unusually, compressed to the bottom of my bag, I forgot that I had them.
A camera
I am happy with all the memories captured on my camera(s). I talk very quickly with a broad smile, repeating myself, whenever I am narrating the ongoings in the images to audiences typically of one - friends, family.
I am dependant on my hippocampus for the real good stuff that could not be tangibly captured: the sounds, the smells, the feeling of the chilled munkoyo battling for temperature rights through the plastic cup in my warm palm. The sight of the thin-winged pale yellow butterflies, fluttering by.
2. Here are some things that sort of helped me:
Mosquito repellent Purchased too late, used too late, used sparingly to begin with. I was fighting a loosing battle there.
Proper walking shoes The story behind why I didn't have walking boots is longwinded and unnecessary. My point here is if you have good walking shoes, use them! Your feet, knees and back will all thank you later.
3. Here are some things that will help me next time:
Vaseline NOT lip balm/gloss.
Sun screen Is it a rookie error if you have never been good at this one? Oh, I have suffered the consequences this time!
Frozen water One genius lady froze her water the night before the hike. A smart move!
The result: Lessons learned, and no selfies for a while!
Peruse the photo library here:
Watch our mini vlog on YouTube
[Duration: 2.5minutes ]
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