Embassies and vaccinations

Cant believe the amount of time that goes into planning the vaccinations needed for a trip like this. I was lucky enough to stumble into a Licensed Travel Clinic where the kind lady broke the news to me.

"Sir, you are going to need at least 4 destinations, you are mad!" She said.
Oh goodness, Im probably more scared for the injections than I am for the long Flight to Egypt, but its all a step in the process I suppose. I need to go and pick up my VISA From the Egyptian Consulate  tomorrow as well.

The applications for VISA's are so strange. You even need bank statements and proof of accommodation just for incase you decide to stay in their country and make a run for it. With the amount of terrorist attacks happening I would say that proper clearance for VISA's is required but then again in this instance I'm just wishing I could be an exception to the rule.

Been thoroughly enjoying reading Ron Rutland's (FAT KID ON A BIKE) blog entries about Sudan and Ethiopia. He's an inspiration guy. I have found his attitude to be incredibly good even in bad situations, what a man!

Been doing some reading on Mark Beaumonts bicycle trip around the world as well which looked absolutely epic! He tells some good stories as well, but not as good as Ron's...

And yes indeed, I have just opened my eyes to a new day, Monday morning back here in South Africa and realized that I have written this post incredibly badly! My editor would kill me is she read this...ooops, just had to get some news out!
Kunjani
Keegs

Cairo to Cape Town: The First steps

It would be silly to try and justify that a journey of 11500km's begins with the first pedal strokel. It in fact starts months and years before the first commitment in pen and word is ever offered to an open ear.

My journey from Cairo to Cape Town started in a little coffee shop down the road from the University of Pretoria. I sat munching on a sadnwhich while discussing the prospects of a world record bicycle trip with a proffesional sports scientist and another friend who had seemed to take a massive interest in my venture. The first step however, the promises, the commitment, the interest and funding also ended at that little meeting. Months later, the emails stopped, the phone calls were ignored and I was left alone with this little dream in my heart.

As much as people believe in thier diets, in nature, in people, I believe in God and I felt a strong pull to this venture despite any shortcomings. And so, I began planning a trip into the unknown with no professionals. It started behind a computer researching the the towns that would possibly be stop over points while on the long road. It took me a month to fully map out the route on google maps and after that another month to ully adjust the distnaces and targets for the trip. In 2012 Robert Knol finished his Cairo to Cape Town trip in a record breaking 70 days, I kept this in the back of my mind as I planned vigourously day and and night.

I looked for sponsors among the heavyweight companies in South AFrica only to be ignored, sometimes just a sad little email would have given me hope to keep trying, but being ignored brings it to ones attention, that nobody has time for your dreams. I pushed on and finally landed a couple of small sponsorships in my home town of Witbank. These loyal friends saw something perhaps that I had even begin to doubt.

The money has only just been secured, some 43 days before my departure. To close for comfort some would day, perfect timing an optimist would say.

As I sit here on a rainy day in my home town I am again pushed down by the facts. My bicycle is broken, Im in need of new tryres, I dont have a visa, I havnt paid for my flight and on and on the list goes. If theres something I have learnt though, the facts are never the end result, faith and hope and hunger always prevail. If you wait for the conditions to be perfect, Im afraid you will never persue those dreams!
"Are you scared?" some people ask me, to which sometimes I cannot answer as a rational person and chose to rather remain silent. Theres is an excitemnt in my heart a deep feeling of peace towards what lies ahead. Everyday im researching the history of the places I will be travelling through and feel like an adventurer, Indiana Jones, preparing to trek through ancient lands. I think many adventurres have lost that connection with themselves, technology, funding and the perfect team have become the be all and end all of an expedition. Lest we cast our minds back to the tale of Scott vs Admunson, trekking the South Pole. Scott had a massive team, the best technology and a rediculous amount of funding. On the other hand, Admunson had prepared for a trip to the North Pole only to find, just weeks before leaving, that another explorer had beaten him to the pole. He turned his intentions to the South Pole, not telling anyone his plans. He relied on what was inside of him and not was outside of him to complete a mamoth task with limited resources. Often money comforts us, it taps us on the back and tells us that if something goes wrong, you will always have me to pull you through. This perhaps sets your mind on a plan B always, not fully acepting that your plan A needs to work.

Im grateful for my sponsors, VW Tri sec Autohaus, Timbercity Witbank and Denbey Liquor Warehouse for their generous contributions to the trip. Im looking forward to the challenge and the adventure through Africa. Tri-Sec Autohaus Timbercity

The fear in attempting great things

Hi Brent,

These past couple have day have been an absolutely crazy roller coaster journey. Up and down, yes and no and in a perfect circle and back round to the decisions I started at. I find me talking myself out of the Cairo to Cape Town expedition every day and then convincing myself that I need to have faith and press on. Then later I use reason to explain to myself why I can't possibly do it, mainly because of the money. Then I enter the word and start praying and God reveals many scriptures to me about walking in faith, following him and trusting in his ways. 

I think this is just an incredible testimony of how we trust God so fully and depend on him, but absolutely conditionally. What if decisions involved out lives, our finances, our kids lives, our health, then how dependent are we. Or in those instances do we turn and take the steering wheel from God and say, God, I got this, see you later. 

Its my battle as we speak. Every time I get quite with God he leads me into visions of Moses, leading his people, using what he had (his staff) and pressing on towards an impossible goal. 

By faith on the 31st on December I fly out to Egypt, by faith I start my trip on January 2nd and by Faith I finish the trip in two and a half months. By faith I will go!

Faith without works is dead! This is my "work" to listen and obey every word from God. 

Happy Birthday to your wife as well (I have wished her) but I just pray that God will bless you guys and open the eyes of your hearts each day a new, to love and cherish and hold the gift that God has given you. 

Love you all!

Keegs