Some random thoughts

16 Feb 6:04 am by Mark Kalch Category: The Expedition

Well, well, well…here we are, Belem. A spot on the map that a couple of months ago we did not dare even gaze upon because of the sheer distance we had yet to cover. But hopefully, leaving tomorrow we have around 150km to cover to reach our goal, our ultimate prize - a source to sea journey of the mighty Rio Amazonas.

My thoughts? I will tell you the honest truth…I am knackered! Physically my body is feeling pretty bloody good. I have put on weight in the last couple of months from plenty of food and some hard out rowing. Over the entire journey I have had minimal illness or ailments. So pretty stoked about that.

Mentally, my brain is pretty scattered. We have worked our backsides off every single day of this journey. If we weren´t rowing we were doing exactly what I am doing now, typing away in random internet cafes, posting photos, editing videos, talking with sponsors, trying to convince media that our expedition may capture readers attention slightly more than that cat stuck up a tree story they eventually decided to run with. Just non-stop. Even now, thinking about post-expedition work makes the mind spin.

But, the most important task to focus on is getting to our end point. After that, who cares? We have done something that can never, ever be taken from us. Something that has changed us forever. I know now for certain - THERE IS NOTHING I CANNOT DO!

A return to the real world and the day to day challenges I must face, seem, at least right now to be trivial. If I decide not to take the bins out, I will not die. If I am late for work, I will not suffer too much grief. Things now for me are seen in a much different light. I believe I have always been a little bit outside the mainstream way of thinking, but jeez now? Bloody hell! But, trust me it is all positive. This journey (so far) has taught me so much, humility, the power of my mind and my body and a whole lot more. I also truly hope it has inspired others to follow their dreams and chase their goals, no matter how small or large they may be.

Right, some lighter stuff. The expedition just featured in the January edition of Brasil´s biggest outdoor magazine Go Outside. Brush up on your Portuguese to follow it.

We also have feature articles upcoming in Czech magazine Outdoor (ditto), awesome UK magazine myfreesport and US magazine Competitor (with a readership of 3.5 million people!). Sweet!

To sign off, a bit of blatant self congratulation. Check out this photo I took a few days back of this little cutie. As the tide was turning we spotted a river side house which had a jetty, a perfect spot to wait out the tide. The family there just about adopted us. They were so caring and generous you almost felt like staying for a while. This little girl was very shy but always stood still for the camera. I just point and shot, she did all the work, but I reckon it came out great. Not something that happens all that often with Nath and I behind the lens.

However, Naths video editing skills are coming along very nicely. Check out his 2 new video clips, Life as an Amazonian and Laundry Day.

See you at the Atlantic! Ahoy!

23 Comments »

Ahoy - you guys are multitasking brilliantly

thought about you guys lots this evening as we ran, under the night skies, with headlights from pick ups lighting up sections of the road (or blinding you if you had the misfortune of looking straight into them at times!); the masses of people we needed to break away from to be able to actually run and then the people each of whom were there for one purpose: to run - but with different inner proceses going on…. and none of use except that nutter Phillipo can begin to grasp what this has meant for you physically or mentally or spiritually. SO i for one am looking forward to the reflections, journal, books and interviews as that inner process takes shape and morphs into a another part of this journey for you all.

lexy x

Comment by Lexy — February 16, 2008 @ 6:47 am
Well, now that I’ve spent the last half hour trying to gather and put myself back onto my chair - A job well done Toni!! Laundry Day on the Amazon, I never realised agitating could be so fun with a pirate basher - I mean c’mon, all kids should have at least one pirate basher, I’m just a little concerned that they won’t all have the magic solution of the Rio Amazonas

Welcome to nondual realisation and self actualisation!!! And a whole new breed of freedom…

Now the world truly becomes your playground

Loving the sound of the pure and solid passion, keep it thriving!

Got a good catchy tune to hum along to - Relax…take it eeeasy, For there is nothing that we can’t do (Mika)

Here’s wishing you a gentle SWesterly (I think), dolphins on a long outgoing tide (pink or otherwise) and deep waters close to the exit river bank.

Beautiful sunshine on your spirits

Jess

Comment by Jess — February 16, 2008 @ 8:15 am
Don’t let this sentance get lost from my previous post, it’s important and not many people experience or understand it:

Welcome to nondual realisation and self actualisation!!!

Comment by Jess — February 16, 2008 @ 8:19 am
Hi Guys, great to hear that you made Belem safely.
I came into Belem on evening of 12th and had a feeling that you would be there somewhere.

As you set off for the final leg and reach that ultimate prize stay strong and believe in yourselves that you will make it.

If there is anything that you might need a hand with as you get to the big destination and you can contact me by email or phone 091 96410706 then let me know and I will see whether I can arrange things through our Brazilian employees at the office.

We do have a very good Brazilian in the office who seems to be able to pull a few strings.

So get to it and put in those hard yards for another 10 days or so.

I look forward to the updates.

Best wishes,

Geoff and Phatcha

Comment by Geoff Mowatt — February 16, 2008 @ 9:02 am
Nath, you recognise this from the beginning of your trip? Just for mind fodder

So, instead, a couple of questions, to answer or not as you wish…more importantly, to think about…

What is the strongest emotion that surfaces when you are fighting for life with every nerve in your body?
A second in time when the world stood still?
A glimpse of “god”?
One thing that could supersede your greatest achievement to date?
Another journey?
Will your eyes see the same light or do you lead a heightened existence?
How do you hold onto your newborn enlightenment?
The greatest part of self-realisation and familiarization?
Surprised?

Just do what you were born to do and the rest will come naturally. Stay at peace and live in grace J

Comment by Jess — February 16, 2008 @ 9:08 am
Hey Buf Nath, awesome to hear that you r both well n in good spirits, have been spreading the good word of your adventures to all that will listen, like I’ve said b4 it makes me so proud to be able to call you 2 friends, have been trying your sat ph a few times, but to no avail. Keep your dream flowing, you have experienced more in 7 months than most will in a lifetime, be proud, appreciative and most of all respectful, it seems a bit weird me trying to give 2 aussies who have challenged them selves so much words of advice, but hey i will any way, can’t wait to give you both a big hug, feed n cold beer,

take care boys, always thinking of you both,
Doogs

Comment by Dougal — February 16, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
Mark & Nathan,

Congratulations, you are at the end. Do you have a feeling that you want to go further and not to stop until Africa?. Best on the last short leg and lets celebrate!

Piotr Chmielinski

Comment by Piotr Chmielinski — February 17, 2008 @ 1:10 am
Jess, you would have to use a paddle to do the washing from this pair !
I note Nat was not game to put his hands in the bowl.
Wonder what they cooked in bowl after the washing.
Ho! Ho! Ha! Ha! He! He!
Cheers Bill

Comment by Bill Welch — February 17, 2008 @ 1:09 pm
Well Nathan you are a man after me own heart!!!!!!!!

Now I can stop stressing about those clothes, you made my day to see that you did take note of some lessons i taught you Nathan. I only wish i had had a pirate basher when i was washing your dirty nappies all those years ago.
Maybe when you come home we could set up some classes for the young ones on washing lessons when rafting the amazon.

On a more serious note Nathan & Mark give it all you have got. The end is so near, nearly time to celebrate. We will be waiting for that phone call.

Enjoyed the videos. Your beautiful smiling face says it all Nathan. Love the photos!!!

Lots of love & a big hug for the finish Toni xxxx

Comment by Toni-Maree — February 17, 2008 @ 10:50 pm
Hey boys the family in Mackay are still trying to keep their heads above water at the moment.

They wished you were there with your raft to help with the rescues. Mackay has had the worst flooding in over 50years.

Grumblebum will be on line as soon as he can, thank God all are safe at this time.
Love Granny Grumblebum & family xxxxx

Comment by Toni-Maree — February 17, 2008 @ 10:59 pm
Hi boys,

what a long road to get to Belem, but here you both are after many months of hard mental and physical work. I see by your photos that the both of you have physically been conditioned to the trip well. You look good guys, I think of your journey and it must be rewarding to know that when you are at your end - you now know that there is another start somewhere close and all you have to do is find it. You boys have defeated the beast that trys to take away all ambition - the beast of not knowing has been KO’d.

Take the personal achievement out of this trip - as good as it will feel when you cross the finaish line; and I think just how great it must have been to stop all along the delta and meet with the local people in there own villages - man this is what is special as you can’t get that any where else. You guys are true champions and don’t worry to much about what will happen next as the great Jesus said “don’t worry about tomorrow as today as enough worries of itself”.

The God of this world will not have you go through this great achievement without a plan for your life afterwards. He is the one who will open the doors for you both, these doors can not be shut by man.

Go with excellence my friends and finish well, it is your ability to trust in yourselves and each other that has got you here so just keep on keeping on.

God’s speed,

Mick

Comment by Mick — February 18, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
Oh yeh,

the weirs in Mackay right now probably look close to the white water of the Amazon- they had over 600mm in 6 hours and I think over a meter in a few days. all of the new commercial and residential apparently went under by up to 1.5m - Hervey Norman - Bunnings - movies - houses - all gone.

Go hard boys

Comment by Mick — February 18, 2008 @ 12:58 pm
Hey gentlemen,

busy working on some more submissions for thesis - but decided to check in with you in between a little escapism offers much mental holiday relief!

Praying that the BIGGER picture of which this adventure has been a part starts to become clearer too whilst the anticipation of the post paddle work continues to unfold.

lexy x

Comment by Lexy — February 20, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
Mark,Owyagoinmatefeelinanybeter. Very sorry to hear
old war wounds are coming against you both. I know the plan was to get to Ponte Taipu as quick as you you
could, but don’t wreck your bodies trying to achieve
this, otherwise you wont make at all & the hard work will all be for nothing. I agree, when this adventure is over the world as we know it and as you fellas left it, will seem dreary & mundane, but I am
sure you both will benefit greatly from doing it.
We were very pleased also to hear of the publicity
that “Expedition Amazonas” is getting in other centres
of the world. RIGHTLY SO !! Well Lads I have tried to condense your last 2or3 posts down to these 2 comments. 1 for each G/son. Toni told you about the PC. As we read of your journey & exploits our hearts
are filled to overflowing with love and pride for two
wonderful young men who have shown that they have the
b–ls, the guts to get out there and achieve a
marvellous adventure against odds that would break many a stronger person. YES, you will finish, and you
will finish in fine style. Phil, great to hear you
are active again, and things are getting back to near normal for you. I can relate to how you feel about not being there with these two wild men
Well Marko, look after each other and don’t take any
flat pennies off them Pirates.

Pray for you guys every nite.
love always
Grandma, Margy & Grumblebum

Comment by Grumblebum — February 20, 2008 @ 8:30 pm
Total Lunar Eclipse for your grand finale! And a symphony of planets positioning themselves in the Eastern skies!

Look out for Regulus, star at the heart of Leo (just below the moon), Saturn (just above the moon).

Planets in the East, Jupiter at the top, Venus lower down and brighter, and Mercury below Venus.

Enjoy, the universe will always deliver

Comment by Jess — February 21, 2008 @ 7:07 am
Mazel Tov! Congratulations Boys!

What a triumph!

4th in history to navigate the Amazon! Planet Earth’s largest river.

Talk to you both soon!

Matt

Comment by Matt Kalch — February 21, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
Hi All, just to enforce Matty’s comments the boys have reached the Alantic, they have successfully completed thier remarkable journey .We spoke to Nat& Mark about an hour ago.
Currently they are stuck in the mud for the next 6hours until the tide turns again .
Besides been attacked by a plague of mozzies and insects they are in good spirits.
Next the paddle back to the next village begins.
Well done boys we are all as proud as punch.
Boys saviour this special moment for it will hold a special place in your heart for the rest of your lives.Love Bill & Toni

Comment by Bill Welch — February 21, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
I suppose congrats just doesn’t say it boys, but well done - you have done it.

Enjoy and relish in your triumph for it is in all the work you have done - in eveything you had to go through - this is it - it is all in this moment that makes it special.

I guess I would be telling lies if I said I did not envy the both of you right now - what it must feel like to have finished such a feat. Go and enjoy some good celebrations and rest - the three of you are true champions.

I will see you both soon,

Mick

Comment by Mick — February 21, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
As you have now finished and are at the start of rest when you get to the village - don’t let the thoughts of tomorrrow or what is next steal the jubilation of your victory. Christ said that we should live in the present - not the past nor the future but today. So boys today you must soak in your achievements and just let it be you right now as you have earned it. Don’t worry about your next moves as God will take care of that for you.

A couple of paragraphs from a great book of life.

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. well done boys.

As Jesus said so well:

Matthew 6:32-34

the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I hope you both rest well,

God’s speed,

Mick

Comment by Mick — February 21, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
Hi Guys

I am mightily impressed…..heard you on Macca a while back and did not realise you wewre on this trip.
CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS

Comment by Peter Harrison — February 24, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Hi Guys

I am mightily impressed…..heard you on Macca a while back and did not realise you were on this trip.
CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS
It is an almighty achievement.

I have had a look at a few of the posts, and there most certainly have been some “interesting” moments.

You should be extremely proud of what you have achieved.

Comment by Peter Harrison — February 24, 2008 @ 9:26 am
I intend to tell a few of my colleagues to read the web site.

Comment by Peter Harrison — February 24, 2008 @ 9:27 am
Nathan and Mark,

Look back on the past and ponder, take a deep breath and enjoy the sweet taste of victory!
You have not only tamed the river but you have taken your fears and emotions to new levels. Your body will be craving for rest but your mind will be searching for more adventure even greater stimulation!
WELL DONE look each other in the eye and you will find two new friends.
Nathan on you return to Sydney I already have a thought for your next summit …….. could you please babysit Caleb and Jacob?

Join a list and saviour becoming Great Adventures!
Later …. Ged

Comment by Gerry — February 24, 2008 @ 2:13 pm