ad·ven·ture
[ad-ven-cher] noun, verb, -tured, -tur·ing.
tʃər
1.
an exciting or very unusual experience.
2.
3. a bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises: the spirit of adventure.
Yesterday on the radio someone talked about Christmas dressings and presents. That means only one thing! The end of the year is nigh. With a barrage of year end parties soon to come your way you will be sitting around the Christmas tree stuffing your face with all kinds of cold meats, salads, breads, wine and deserts.
Year end also calls for something else. Plans for the next year! I'm talking specifically adventure plans. Book and plan early and your sure to get a great deal, no stress and the exact adventure you are looking for.
Apart from the various races I want to compete in next year I am also starting to build on an adventure. A couple of decisions need to be made to decide on which type of adventure. Will it be a "commercial" adventure where you do something that anyone can do with the right amount of money or do you go off the beaten track? I vote off the beaten track!
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| Be the sky line! |
But for interest sake lets explore both options:
Commercial:
- My first and most obvious choice will be a diving holiday. With the opportunity of diving with sea turtles and whale sharks and snorkeling with dolphins. Each year the guys from Scuba Centre has a year end jamboree. This is guaranteed fun in the sun and great value for money. Other options are also the very commercialized Red Sea. Adventure rating 2/5
- Do one of the many famous multi-day hikes that is on offer in South Africa and our neighbouring countries. Options like the Fish River canyon, Whale Trail, Drakensberg hiking routes and Otter is so famous you better book NOW! Adventure rating 2/5
- Something I have never tried, but definitely want to experience still is river rafting. South Africa has some spectacular rivers for this. Take your pick between white river rafting, black river tubing or just cruising and paddling on the river. Each one with it's one thrills and spills. Adventure rating 3/5
Off The Beaten Track:
- Hike Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area near Porterville. Although this hike is also available to anyone it is a 19 200 ha wilderness reserve. Which means you can walk anywhere you please. You are left to your own devices and need to work out a route. You can spend between 3 to 6 days here. You can descend to Die Hel or make an ascent up Groot Winterhoek Peak standing tall at 2078m. have your timing right and you can experience a snow capped mountain. I might be a little bias as I've got a personal score to settle with this reserve. Adventure rating 4/5
- Another hiking option is The Rim of Africa. This is the first of it's kind in Africa and is created around the idea of the Tahoe Rim Trail. The 48 day trail can be completed by hiking it in 4 12 day stages. I would like to go to the extreme and complete the 48 days uninterrupted and unsupported. Or even better yet, RUN it! Adventure rating 3/5
- Buy a canoe/raft and paddle down the Orange River, unsupported. Adventure rating 5/5
- Run the entire length of the Great Wall of China. Adventure rating 10/50
- Backpack through Mozambique. I've heard it's cost effective and really beautiful. I've only been to Ponta Malongane, but what I saw there ensures me the rest will be awesome. You can drink beer, buy cheap local rum that smells like spices and dive on the various beautiful reefs.
What ever your adventure is going to be next year, enjoy it! I think Edmund Hillary said it, yikes a lot of Edmund Hillary quotes going on here recently, "This is my everest, go out and find your own". The legend has spoken! You don't have to climb the highest peak, paddle the biggest river or surf the highest wave. You just need to get out there and challenge yourself!
I like it that your holiday / adventure isn't tied by a time limit, if i'm luck I might make 3 weeks... and will be looking to Swirzerland and a mountian marathon.
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