I got you babe!

27 Dec 8:00 am by Mark Kalch Category: The Expedition

Well hello all! Time for another exciting post from Expedition Amazonas! No…wait…hang on…this post will not be exciting at all. Just some words to describe how I am feeling and where I am at mentally right now. (The post title is from the ace movie, Groundhog Day).

Please note – I know full well how fortunate that we are to even have the opportunity to undertake this expedition. I am so stoked to even be where we are right now. Who gets to do such a thing? I have seen everyday for 2 weeks on CNN and BBC what is happening in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Who am I to complain? I cannot. I merely detail how I am feeling in context of the expedition. I am one lucky oke!

As you all now we are currently living in Iquitos, Peru (like Phil I even have my own public health file and ID card). We await still, our replacement oarlocks. It has been more than 2 weeks since we ordered them and still nothing. This is upsetting and frustrating. In reality we could not have left here until our big South African mate, gave us his final word, but regardless it is getting tough.

We had such great momentum coming in to Iquitos. We were rowing well, we had a great routine going, it was all good (oh, except Phil was extremely ill). Now, when I look out on the river it seems distant. We were sort of at one with the river and now I feel quite separate from it which is not a great feeling at all. Nath has just told me that the courier company will send the oarlocks today from Lima. With luck they may arrive this evening or tomorrow. But, it is imposible to get ones hopes up just yet. It is too easy to see those hopes dashed by another setback.

It has been said ad nauseum but no part of this expedition has been easy. It may be easy to believe that hanging out in a big town might be enjoyable. It was, for a few days, but after 2 weeks it has worn thin. It is obviously not the same feeling as on the Apurimac but in terms of it´s mental effects on oneself, it does not lag far behind I can assure you. Fortunately, Nath and I have made the concious mental decision to take this expedition all the way to the Atlantic. Nothing can or will stop us from achieving our goal. In terms of happiness, I am fine. In terms of frustation, well you can imagine.

On another interesting note, check out www.bbc.co.uk/amazon. What the…? We met one of the fixers, Louis, for these guys in San Francisco. Quite a spin out for us to see their site. Bruce Parry is well known for his BBC series, Tribe. Here he is with camera crew in tow going from source to sea on the Amazon. Now, Bruce is a bit of a hero of mine, he has done some great things, so I am not going to rib them too much. Their experience is totally different to ours. They took a week or so to get from Nevado Mismi to San Francisco! What??? It took us more than a month of solid trekking and whitewater. Like I said, totally different animal. Their journey is being made into a show for BBC, so recources are somewhat different. We would dig to get in touch with these guys somewhere, but the contact details are for a generic BBC contact. As well, it points out on the site that posts are delayed 3 to 5 weeks in order to keep the team safe and current whereabouts unknown. Whoops! We post whenever and wherever we can and we are fine. I guess we shall see. Good luck to Bruce and his team. I hope their journey is a success and that they have the time of their lives as we have done so far.

Check out our latest video if you haven’t already - Farewell Phil.

12 Comments »

Hey Punxsutawney Buf and Punxsutawney Nathan,

Quite a good post. Hope the oar locks arrive soon.

See you later

Matt

Comment by Matt Kalch — December 27, 2007 @ 8:38 am
buf & welshy, every time i check the site i am more amazed, if that is possible. a massive effort. thoughts are with you. enjoy.

Comment by jacko — December 27, 2007 @ 11:23 am
Hi Nathan & Mark,

Dido to comment 1 about the oar lock so you can get to finish this experience of a lifetime, I hope you haven’t been utilising the fact that the locals don’t speak your tongue Nathan and wouldn’t have a clue on what you would be cursing at them. I hope you boys get back on the river soon so you can update the photo file and show me the views in which i am missing out on. Bowey has informed me over a few drinks that i may need to get my passport in order as the Whizman may need a MULE in the future. Anyway Boys be strong and be ready for when the journey reignites back into action.

PS- MERRY CHRISTMAS to the both of you and hopefully Santa didn’t drop the Oar Lock off at customs again.

Comment by Captain — December 27, 2007 @ 12:42 pm
ello ello…..
good to hear you are out there

hope that those oarlocks are in your hands but also that this time is truly a time of healing, rest and reflections.

lots of love
lexy

Comment by Lexy — December 27, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
Hey Nathan! good to see you are still going and determined. Merry Christmas/Happy new year :). i’m planning on taking my bicycle to Europe and riding all over :D. (no rivers with bugs in involved ).
that post where you got sucked under the water was a bit scary .i got the shakes reading it.
more good luck
Bron

Comment by Bronwyn — December 27, 2007 @ 6:57 pm
Hi Boys. Just a quick one to let you know that I’ve been keeping tabs whenever I can. Life is turbulent as usual and I don’t often get a chance to look in on your progress but you make me prouder every time. Stay well and safe and hope you’re loving your awesome adventure.

Nath’s crazy old housemate
Kat

PS: LOL to the bug thing with Bronwyn. Ah the memories.

Comment by Miss Kat — December 28, 2007 @ 12:47 am
Wwwwooooohhhhooooooo!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! According to your website you’ve just made your first century!!! Hope the next 100 are even more memorable, exciting and full of interesting surprises.

Tons of love

Comment by Jess — December 28, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
Phil Swart Leaving.. What a blow. Even though we are
not there we feel the loss, & I can feel Phils loss also. It would be a bloody hard decision to pull the pin. YOU ARE A WIZARD PHIL. OK the 3 WHIZMEN are now
back to 2. A very valuable team member has departed.
To Phils family,friends & supporters a member of the
Pyke Clan {though adopted} has had to sign out. Holly
came just when she was needed, her brand of expertise
was required just at that time. Mark I hope you have
stopped dicken around with taking sickies. You and
Wizman can’t afford any more sickies. Wizman remember
what I said previously about those customs blokes just
a pack of Richard Craniums, the lot of them.
Phil, I read your comments,re your leaving Dec.19. I
don’t think you took much dragging to join the 2 loco
gringos. Remember what I said earlier in the piece about adopting you 2 into the Clan, well I ment it. We
consider you and Marko as part of our extended family
for the way you both have excepted our eldest Grandchild and the manner in which you both have helped him in this Quest. God love and bless you and
have a speedy recovery. If your last statement is
correct “you havent heard the last of me”, we would
deem it an honour to meet you in person and extend to
you the same greetings as we give Nathan, every time
we meet. OH DEAR!! Holly I have heard that you must
leave early. I am so sorry that you didn’t get the
chance to impart more of your ability into this Quest
or Adventure. I can imagine the lift your presence
would have given the 2 Wizards. Jess the next paragraph is for mature readers only move to the words Thank you.
Holly a lovely woman makes young mens minds think what
it would be like, and old mens minds remember what it
was like. Thank you for looking after our Grandsons,
cheers and good luck for the future what ever you may
do. Ha Jess whats this business about giving the
bloody reindeers my Scotch to drink. If they are thirsty let them drink water. Your lovely Jess, keep up the comments they help our Grandsons
I GOT YOU BABE!!! Good tune Marko. MARK That feeling
of one with the river will return when you are back on it. I hope by now the oarlocks are in place and
being used. Mate if your ambition for this adventure
is as strong as Welch’s I know you both will reach the Atlantic
NATHAN, I know you get frustrated [pissed off] by
delay,incompetence,stupidity,etc,etc,etc,but please remember there are elderly people reading these lines
[Granny and some young minds [Jess] so be kind to your present neighbours, and dont show them how you feel[not until you are about to leave]
By the time this comment gets posted, 2008 will be here. All the best for the New Year, Keep that ambition burning and when things start to go sour
remember the good times at 20 Barton and the times you pissed me of when you left that Bloody Blender.
Now that it’s back to the 2 Wizmen watch each others
back and know I myself am with you both, if only in spirit.

Love to you both
Grandma, Margy & Grumblebum

to

Comment by Grumblebum — December 30, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
Thanks Granpa Grumblebum and the rest of the family. It means alot!

Comment by philip — December 31, 2007 @ 7:21 pm
Fantastic to see this journey happen for you Mark, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! This is something of an epic, Fantastic to hear that you have made the distance and endurance. Sending lots of well wishes your way, good luck with the rest of the journey

Anna xoxo

Comment by Anna Schneider — January 3, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
Hey Guys

I am still trying to post a comment and I will keep trying until your adventure is over. I wish I knew what the bloody problem with my computer is.

I have followed your journey and as it went I laughed, I cried, I felt fear and frustration but above all I have felt a growing sense of wonder and awe not just about you men but about what you have the human race is capable of. I we as a global people could be as courageous, strong, determined and willing to find viable solutions then we could heal this world of its ills and ensure that dignity and respect and freedom would be the lot of every human being.

As for the BBC trip, they too are worthy of admiration and adulation, However, yours would be more effective in awakening the minds of people to the amazing potential that is humanity. Yours is raw and unadulterated real life where nothing can be re-done to make it look better.

Anyway I’ve got to go and prepare for my classes tomorrow. I second all that Dad (Grumblebum) has said and Welchy, I can’t find the words to describe my love and appreciation for you - you are an inspirational man who provides those of us who are with you with the will to put just a little more into those challenges which come our way every day.

Love
John

Comment by John (JD) Pyke — January 31, 2008 @ 9:57 pm
I am ripped! I have finally got through - this is the first time I have successfully managed to get a message posted since the very early days of your journey. I have tried almost every night unsuccessfully to make contact. I now hope that I can be with you to the end.

JD

Comment by John (JD) Pyke — January 31, 2008 @ 9:59 pm