A friend of mine, award-winning children’s writer, Maximilian Sam, once posted on his blog about the power of words and mentioned my new book, Building The Beast: How (Not) To Build An Overland Truck.
I was a bit taken aback that he titled the paragraph about our decision to buy a 24.5-tonne truck blind off the internet “Genius or Insanity?”
Then, he added, “Scarily, having chatted to Jacqueline extensively, I’m not even sure this is the craziest thing she and Mark have ever done!”
Scarily, thinking about it, it’s possible he might be right!
Since I accidentally rafted the Zambezi in 1994, which truly awakened my love of adventure, I strive to live life at the edge of my comfort zone.
I thought I’d share with you a selection of my adventures to see what you think:
1. Rafting The Zambezi
In 1994, I was a singleton looking to holiday solo because my friends were all hitched. Rather than sitting alone on a beach for a fortnight, I considered an activity holiday, such as walking or sailing. Then, I spotted Rafting The Zambezi: The River Of The Gods in a magazine. I’d never heard of whitewater rafting – it wasn’t really a ‘thing’ back then, and there was no internet to check it out.
I was aware of Dr. Livingstone and had seen Thor Heyerdahl’s raft, Kon Tiki, on TV. I pictured rafting the Zambezi as floating down the river on a barn door looking at elephants. Plus, a trip to the dark, mysterious continent of Africa sounded like fun.
When people said things like, “It’s some of the biggest white water in the world!” I replied cheerily, “Nah. Not where we’re going.” With equal confidence, I dismissed, “There are crocodiles in the river, and hippos. And they’re the most dangerous animals in Africa!” along with, “Have you thought about the tropical diseases?”
It wasn’t until I saw The Zambezi Whitewater Spectacular playing in the gift shop when I landed in Harare airport that I realised: that was EXACTLY where we were going!
Yet a week tackling Grade 5 rapids (Grade 6 is considered unrunnable) was the most thrilling thing I’d ever experienced. Sleeping under the stars on beaches by the river, somewhere that was as remote and inaccessible as the moon to most people, was a unique privilege, and let me connect with the magnificence of nature.
It was something I knew I needed more of in my life!
2. The TWO Highest Bungee Jumps in the World (at the time)
My bungee jumping career has involved launching myself off Victoria Falls Bridge in Zambia (111 m / 364.5 ft), and Le Pont de Ponsonnas (103 m / 337 ft) near Grenoble in France. I am afraid of heights, and loathed both experiences! The first jump in Zambia was the highest in the world at the time, so I knew if I didn’t do it while I was there, I’d regret it for ever. I also did it to show I could master my fear. It was so traumatic, I wasn’t sure I could ever do another bungee, so I had to show myself I could! Now, I don’t feel I’ve anything further to prove, so bungee jumping is an experience I shall never need to repeat.
3. Cuddled A Tiger and Been Bitten By A Lion – I mean. Who hasn’t?!
4. Quit My Job To Backpack Around Australia & New Zealand
Aged 30 and still single, I asked my boss for ‘maternity leave’.
“But Jackie, you don’t even have a boyfriend!” he said.
“I know! That’s the beauty of it. I’m not going to go through all that messy business of childbirth. I just want a few months off to backpack around Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand, then have my job back at the end.”
He was so surprised, he actually said, “Yes!”
5. Accidentally Bought A Caravan
Yes, that is how all this nomadic lifestyle business started. My husband, Mark and I were made redundant and set out one day to visit a caravan (RV trailer) dealer, ‘just to have a look’.
By the day’s end, we had signed on the dotted line…
Back home, we opened the champagne and got a little tipsy.
“If we sold up our belongings, rented out the house, and toured in the caravan full time, we could probably manage financially without working!” we slurred.
Obviously, when we looked at it sober and in the cold light of day, we decided it was a brilliant idea.
Within a month, we’d done exactly that, sold most of our possessions, and hit the road with our four dogs.
Initially, we planned to tour for three years, but nine years on, there’s everywhere – and it’s still on our list!
So, what’s next?
Who knows!
But Mark and I are ready to embrace whatever crazy, exhilarating, and unexpected experiences come our way. After all, life’s too short for anything less than a wild ride!
What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done? Let me know in the comments!
I’ve written seven comic memoirs about life since Mark and I gave up work and hit the road with our four dogs. My first series is called Adventure Caravanning With Dogs, because it’s caravanning – but not as you know it! Our aim was to Boldly Go Where No Van Has Gone Before, and that included towing along a footpath, over the Carpathian Mountains, and crossing two cornfields in Romania!
Although each is a standalone tale, they are chronological in time.
Find My Books on Amazon: https://author.to/JLambert
Follow My Travel Blog: www.WorldWideWalkies.com
Follow My Author Website: www.JacquelineLambert.co.uk – this one!
Find Maximilian Sam on:
Website: https://www.maximiliansam.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormaximiliansam
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/maxsamauthor
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Jacqueline Lambert 