Farewell Phil

19 Dec 11:47 am by Nathan Welch Category: The Expedition

It is with much sadness that we report our team medicine man & good mate, Phil Swart is leaving the expedition & returning home to South Africa. Big Phil has experienced another trying week of headaches, joint pain & lethargy. More testing in Lima with Dr Caesar Sanchez (our team medical guru) has shown that Phil has some inflammation to the liver & his white blood cell count is low, meaning his immune system is down for the count. Due to complications with his present condition, he has agonised with the decision he didn’t want to make – but in the end his health is & should be, the main priority.

Myself & Marko would like to take this opportunity to thank the Big Man for his involvement with Expedition Amazonas. On top of his medical expertise, his quiet, witty nature & cool approach to life will be greatly missed. The 3 of us have been through so much together mate – only we know deep inside the magnitude & enormity of those life defining moments. As much as we can write & report on them, the ultimate truth of what we & you have achieved personally mate lies only with us – thanks for being by our side Phil & being part of this special experience. We pass on our heartfelt gratitude for everything mate & wish you all the best for a speedy recovery. For all Phil’s family, friends & supporters, know that in a few days a special individual returns to South African soil – a man of great strength & character. With those kinds of attributes he could even be Australian! Totsiens ons goeie vriend & spoedig herstel … (hope I got that right mate)

A long long time ago I sat down with a bloke called Mark Kalch in a little cafe in Cronulla (Sydney). I took out a map of the Amazon Basin & explained what I was going to do. I watched his eyes. I was waiting for the sign - & there it was…his eyes lit up & I knew he was in. That’s how it all started, just 2 chaps with a crazy idea & it seems now it has gone full circle with just the 2 of us off to the Atlantic. Of course, I’m not forgetting about Holly, however due to the current situation she will be unable to spend as much time on the water as we all would have liked. Her work commitments will see her depart the scene in early January. We’re a bit bummed about that as Hol is much better looking than Phil & she smells a lot better too….Once we’re back on the water we may just hijack her & not let her off the boat until the Atlantic Ocean!

The other challenge at present is Marko. Yes, the Buffalo is not feeling particularly well. Yep you guessed it – headaches, body aches, fever & general lethargy. Holly has dragged him down to the hospital & he has been tested for all the usual – Malaria, Yellow Fever etc but all results indicate a negative to these. However, as any of our medical guru supporters will attest to – it does sometimes take a while for the illness to actually show up in the blood. So we continue to monitor Marko & ensure his condition does not get out of hand!

And finally we are still waiting for our Oarlocks to arrive – very frustrating. According to the freight tracking, it seems they have been delayed in Lima. Again it’s been pretty difficult to find out what’s actually happening but we continue to push the issue with both the US company who sent the oarlocks & also the freight company. We pray that it is not another Peruvian customs issue!

So here we are, a little frustrated, itching to get moving again! But priorities mean Marko’s health comes first & we can´t do too much without the Oarlocks anyway… So we’ll keep you posted – literally hehehe.

Just quickly – if you haven’t watched our latest video then Just Do It. Simply click on the video link on the LHS of the page.

22 Comments »

Phil – wow what can I say? It’s devastating news to see you leaving the team and expedition, but what a life changing adventure you have been treated to. I’m sure it was a gut wrenching decision for you to make, but your health has to be the number one priority. You’re a legend Phil, so get well soon!!!

Marko – I hope the mystery illness doesn’t take hold matey, I’m pleased you have Holly there to nurse you…actually Hol, are you sure he’s not faking it to get attention from you?? hehehe. It hasn’t exactly been the exciting river adventure you were expecting so far Hol, but I trust you’ll be hitting the water soon. Fab to see you join the team.

Chin up Nath – you love a challenge and the Peruvian customs chaps are sure to deliver every time. Don’t let the monkeys get you down babe - deep breaths.

Big love to you all – Ange xxx

Comment by Angela Hanly — December 19, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
Thanks for the kind words and dragging me along. I only got involved 3 months before the start of this “little river trip” but you guys made me part of the team and had a great experience. Baie dankie! It did take alot out of me but it also put in alot more more that I will treasure the rest of my life. Yes, the choice I made was a heller lot harder to lr¡eave than the one I made when I quit my job and joined the 2 gringo lokos. Loike I said, I dont want to do this, I have to do it.

So buf and nath, i´m still with you and wish you all the best and skop gat. God speed and if you can take half the amount of photos I did, you should be ok.

So i´m off, will be in Brazil for a couple of days, no not to soke up the rays on the beaches on Rio… And then back to South Africa, not back home cause home is on the Amazon. Thank you for all the family (the Australian families too), friends, strangers and sponsors for all your support, prayers and besyt wishes. God bless you all and you havent heard the last of me!
awe-ness

Comment by philipo — December 19, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
sorry bout all the weird spelling mistakes, i´m clearly not well yet.
maar onkruid vergaan nie…

Comment by phil — December 19, 2007 @ 2:07 pm
Good effort Phil. Get well Buffy. Don’t get sick Welchy. And don’t be pooses.

Matt

Comment by Matt Kalch — December 19, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
Phillipo,

Bem Vindo em Afrique Du Sol! I speak better than i spell in Portuguese…. I am sorry that the adventure in body has come to an end but fairly sure the rest continues inwardly!!!

Nath, still praying, sending hugs and dreaming the dream in my head…

Mark - hope those little white cells get their numbers up quickly.

love
lexy x

Comment by Lexy — December 20, 2007 @ 12:23 am
Nathan is so right, none of us will ever even start to imagine the bonds that you guys have formed facing your fears and fighting for life! I am just so stoked that you all made this expedition happen and could really experience what being ALIVE is all about!!

Phil I really do hope that the Dr’s get to the bottom of this quickly and can give you some kind of idea as to what is making you feel so terrible. As much of a really shit decision it is that you have had to make, you’re right, your health really is no 1!! The fact that you call the Amazon home is such a great compliment to your team mates - they are going to miss you more than even the solar panels!!

Safe travels back to the land of opportunity and discovery! Hope you’re ready for a whole New Year of empty pages just waiting for you to fill them. Don’t let go of the horns and keep riding the adventure of life!!

Big comfort hugs!!

Comment by Jess — December 20, 2007 @ 6:55 am
Phil, we have never met you but we feel as if we have known you for soooo long as over the last few months your exploits with the adventure have touched our lives in a very special way BIG PHIL.

Phil you have displayed determination, guts & total loyalty to this great team.You have been an important link in the team, we understand it was a difficult decision to have to leave but Big Fella it was right, your health must come first.

Grumblebum has already inducted Phil into the Pyke Clan, the only thing that remains is when you return to good health Phil you must travel to Australia to meet your adopted family.

Phil you have been an inspiration to all ,we Salute you & wish you a speedy recovery to good health.
Love Toni & Bill xx

Comment by Toni-Maree — December 20, 2007 @ 10:31 pm
Nathan,Mark & Holly, Phils departure has left a big gap & the adventure has just reached a new dimention. Every time the bar is raised to a new height, you have meet the challenge head on & succeed, this will not be any different.

Mark we pray that your health improves quickly, keep those doctors busy. Holly you wont get much time in the water but keep spoiling Mark, you are his best therapy.

Nathan you are faced with customs again keep practising your patience skills good luck!!!
We know you will sort it out some how.
We will be listening to Macca on Sunday morning. Look forward to hearing your story on the radio. We love & miss you heaps.
Love & prayers to the remaining team xxx

Hope to see you in the water soon. Love Toni & Bill

Comment by Toni-Maree — December 20, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
Phil, sorry to hear you’re coming home bro. I know how much this adventure meant to you. Keep your chin up mate… I’m sure it won’t be long before you’re planning the next expedition. There’s some black labels for you in our fridge when you get back - but only when your liver gives you the all clear.

Comment by Rob Whitaker — December 21, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
Don’t be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it you can make it so…Belva Davis

you guys have entered that space in so many ways….Sitting wrapping presents and thinking about my far away friends…thank you for living in the space where it rains, there is lots unknown, but then the sun comes out and you keep going
Praying the sun keeps coming out at the right times…whether on the water, for health, or simply because you need to be warmed inside!
lots of love,
Lexy x

Comment by lexy — December 22, 2007 @ 5:00 am
Hi there in Amazonia guys. I am listening to Macca as I type this note. It was great to hear Marko and Phil tell their story or at least the bare bones which is all you can sketch of such a trip. I immediately typed in your website which came up trumps first off. It is a great site with lots of stories. i will spend some time exploring it so as to know more about you and your journey. For now, have a safe, healthy(?), and Happy Christmas. From Valerie of Robertson, Brisbane,Queensland a fellow remote regions traveller. Not quite so remote nowadays but I did get to the Marquesa Islands last year.

Comment by Valerie Junge — December 23, 2007 @ 8:27 am
Hi Nat Marko & Holly, it appears everyone listened to the interviw with Macca this morning unfortunately I missed the interview butI recieved your message, thank you. I listened until 7.30 am then I had to catch the train to Mackay.
I understand the oar holders have been released from customs ,that is a mayor miracle in its self.
If the oars holders arrive in the next couple of days you will be on the water for x-mas.
Nat I appreciate that will be your best x-mas gift.
Our families will thinking of the team over the festive season and you can gaurantee we will be discussing the adventure over x-mas with Grumblebum and the clan . I will seek his council on the teams explots to date ( ho! ho! ha!ha!he!he!).
Nat my new year resoluation is for the team to successfully and safely complete this journey.
To the team (including Phil) have a great day ,stay safe, keep good health and enjoy the next stage of this incredible adventure.
Is there an update on Phil.
Lots of love to you all.
Cheers Bill

Comment by Bill — December 23, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
Hi Nathan Mark & Holly I am sending this message from Madonnas as this is where i have been for the last couple of days.

Nathan & Mark the radio interview on Macca this morning was great it was so clear it was good to hear your voices. I could have listened for much longer but the brief overview was very tempting for those who have not seen your website. Well done Nathan & Mark.

By the looks of things you might be on the water for christmas, as Bill said this is the best present you could receive this time round. Prayers & thoughts are with you all in our christmas mass. Stay safe good health be with you all & look forward to the next post.
Merry Christmas to Nathan Mark Holly Phil & the team.
Love & Best Wishes Toni xxxx

Comment by MadMadonna — December 23, 2007 @ 9:18 pm
Phil, i know how importand is this for you, and how hard it was to take this big desicion, we all supporting you from hear in Perú, we so sad then you living but in this condition you can not go foward, we all proud of you big men.
guys whish i can be there helping you paddel
foward hard!
Nice Yalan

Comment by Nice Yalan — December 24, 2007 @ 6:19 am
Hi Nath, Buff and Holy

I have ben absent for a while now as I have moved house and still in a battle with telstra to get the internet. One more week to go.

It is sad to hear about Phil, will be seking that he gets rested and back to peak health. In looking at your situation from a basic view you may seem to have another obstacle to get over. But in looking at this from the viwe of the spirit - over the last month I have had some interesting visions, and these show me cleary that everything is actually going acccording to plan.

I saw that although it is sad that Phil has had to leave, it was his time and he will be given everything that he needs to regain his health.

The members you have are the members that wil finish the great expedition.

Always praying for you and thinking of you guys,

Remember the birth of the Savior tomorrow and ask hin to guide you through the next stage of the trip. I wil see you at the end my friendws.

Go in God’s sped and protection,

Mick

Comment by Mick — December 24, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
Merry Christmas for tomorrow team.

I am hoping that santa has made an early Xmas delivery of oar locks to you and that you are back on the mighty river paddling your butts off.

Love the new video - good one Nath!

Lots of love - Ange XXX

Comment by Angela Hanly — December 24, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
Hi Nathan, Mark and Holly

Great to hear you on Macca yesterday Nathan (early morning phonecall from a friend alerted us to the “high profile callers!”) Quite the professional interview subjects. Next stop - Oprah!

Just wanting to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. We will be thinking of you all throughout the day. Will crack a few bon-bons in your honour.

Take care

Love

Janelle, Dave and Finn

Comment by Janelle — December 24, 2007 @ 10:29 pm
Hi Mark, Holly, Nathan and also Phil

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to each and every one of you……may all your wishes come true!

Phil, sorry you had to leave the team. We know how much it hurt to make that decision but we’re also pleased to hear you are feeling so much better. Enjoy spending time with your family……have a good rest and get fully better!

Mark and Nathe, good news about the oarlocks…..what a fantastic Christmas present! Have a great Christmas….on the river presumably…what’s for Christmas lunch? We’ll be thinking of you and praying for good weather and currents. Stick together as a team…..small as you are now. It’s vital you work together in harmony…..even more so now! Great video by the way.

Holly….pity you haven’t been able to experience the river yet. We also wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

All our love and best wishes from Donna, Barry, Anna, Matt and Sammy xxxooo

Comment by Donna Kalch — December 24, 2007 @ 11:59 pm
Merry Christmas Nathan & Mark hope your day was successful. It was a great day had by all at Marys, the rain drenched the place, a bit like old times. Grumblebum was the centre of attention, as usual a few too many scotch’s & the savour of the worlds problems. The special gift I gave Granny & Grumblebum,that is a framed pictures of you Mark & Phil was his best present of the day.

Grumblebum managed to deliberately annoy Granny to the bemusement of everyone. Plenty of great food too much cheer & much happiness had by all.

The adventures of the team were discussed around the table, & Grumblebum still wishes he was with you.

We raised our glasses to you all,cheers, Merry Christmas boys. Love & God bless you both for a safe journey. Phil hope your health is improving. Holly hope you enjoy your christmas with your family.

Cheers Toni & Bill xxxx

Comment by Toni-Maree — December 25, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
Dear Expeditioners!

2000, my first Christmas away from home and all that I loved… At the time, I didn’t think that it was possible for one person to be so lonely while surrounded by Christmas cheer. In hindsight, the people that I spent it with became my Caribbean family and I had the opportunity of learning about their crazy antics and Christmas traditions.

Even though you are a gazillion miles away from your family this Christmas, I hope you embrace your Amazon family and make it as special as possible for each other ’cause this is certainly one that you’re not going to forget in a hurry. I’m sure you’re making the most of it - be sure to belt out a couple of Christmas Carols, it always brightens the day!

Hey, sitting here in Knysna and mulling over New Years plans… What’s the cover charge for a raft up on the Amazon? Flights included? Oh, and can you quote me for transfers too?

When the sun rises on the 1 Jan 2008 I’ll be sending oceans and buckets of wishes that you have countless spontaneous moments of laughter from those funny little ironies that nature presents us, smooth waters, straight and deep channels, accurate maps, friendly locals, spectacular scenery, good conversation and most of all healthy and strong minds and bodies for every oarstroke home!

With you in spirit every second of the day!! Stoked to hear Santa’s reindeers were all on time and didn’t get stuck into the scotch’s at Grumblebums.

Strength and love
Jess

Comment by Jess — December 25, 2007 @ 11:42 pm
Gute Vaynakhtn un a Gut Nay Yor!

Bufalo, should we celebrate Christmas if we are at least 1/16th Ashkenazi Jew? What do you think Nathaniel?

Zay gezunt
Matt Kalch

Comment by Matthew Kalch — December 26, 2007 @ 7:04 am
Dear Nathan and team

Wishing you a happy New Year. Your exploits continue to amaze me, but ultimately, take care of yourselves. Those headaches and fever sound debilitating. It must be in the water. I will continue to enjoy watching the coming weeks adventures and wish there was some way you could all receive the recognition that you totally deserve.

Love Auntie Chrissy

Comment by chrissy kofod — January 9, 2008 @ 3:47 pm