The final day started off early. As this was our second time on the Fish River hike, we were happy to know that we had 4-5 hours of easy walking, with few river crossings, before we could be sitting comfortablely at Ais-Ais relaxing with a cold beverage.
The first circle of Dante's Hell started after the cause way, when we didn't take the short cut. This resulted in a day of downward spiralling out of control. We walked for 10 hours, until we started to worry if we would make Ais -Ais before dark.By the time we got back to Ais-Ais, I had heat exhaustion and sun stoke.
I walked the last 10km with my feet in zip-lock bags, after falling in the river - boots and all!
We ended with our bodies bruised, scratched and broken - but we did finish! After a day of recuperation we were up and about planning our next hike.
I never thought that making my way home would be as hard as it was, but after all the changes I have had in the last 6 months, I am stronger, wiser and more grateful for the love and happiness I have in my life. I am truly blessed, and this I can say with an honesty which I've never felt before.
Sometimes in life you have to go through dark days and levels of hell, before you realize just how blessed you really are to have had someone, then lost them but never ever forgetting them.
"Consider your origin;
you were not born to live like brutes,
but to follow virtue and knowledge.”
Dante Alighieri
3 comments:
Ouch that looks sore. Glad you finally had time for the last installment of your journey
What an amazing journey for you guys! Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos. I have been able to share them with my little boy and summarize the hike for him (he's 4). I hope your life's journeys smooth out and continue to give you pockets of beauty like your fields of flowers.
Oh Rosemary!! Those bruises look sore and the last day sounds like no fun at all! Glad you made it back in one piece and that you can draw something positive from such a tough experience. Hugs to you, my friend!
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