JUNE WRITING CHALLENGE
Flow Like Water — My Adventures in the World
A selection of activities I’ve done in and on the waters around the globe
Water. Such a simple word for something so big. So huge. We’re the blue planet. Because of water. We have life on this planet. Because of water. Everything originates somewhere, somehow in and around water.
And here we are. We’re not just drinking water. We actually have fun in the water. Wherever I am in the world, I always find myself drawn to water. To a waterfall, a river, a lake, or the ocean. I just love being in and around water.
“Water is the driving force of all nature.” — Leonardo da Vinci
Here is my selection of adventures and activities I’ve done with water:
Feeding Swans on the Water
This was in the 90s when I was feeding swans on a lake in southern Germany with my grandpa.
I don’t have a memory of it but the picture is in my photo album. And by the way, back then I did not choose the clothing. So, I’d say it’s my mom’s fault my favorite color is yellow…
Playing Beachball in the ocean
I’ve spent several summer holidays in Italy. My family always drove down in June and stayed at a campsite at the Adria. Sometimes friends came with me, sometimes I made friends on site.
In Italy, we learned the sport of “Beachball” which consists of two solid bats and a small rubber ball. It’s more difficult than playing badminton but you’re not affected by the wind which makes it a great activity on the ocean. Plus, the ball floats, so you can easily play in the water as well.
Swan photobombing a group photo on the lake
This was my handball team during a training camp in Austria in 2012. Between all the mountain climbing, canyoning, and handball sessions we’d have some free time and loved to swim in the nearby lake.
On the last day, I decided to take a group picture and set out the camera on my tripod. They were all cheering me on to run/swim faster to make it for the shot.
And then, this swan decided to walk into the picture and stop right in the middle. It was the last picture my timer took, but I tell you we all burst into laughing tears seeing the swan standing there.
So yeah, this category is about taking photographs in and around water. In whatever circumstances and with or without an animal photobombing the shot.
Paddling on a wooden plank on the water
This was at the beginning of my wild Africa adventures. It was in my first month in Ghana and together with some other volunteers, we had planned a weekend trip to this nearby lake.
We just wanted to hang out, explore the country and have fun. We were told not to swim in any lakes in Ghana due to some diseases but after I saw all the locals swimming and paddling across the lake I decided to ignore all those warnings and convinced the whole crew of volunteers to join in on the fun.
Yeah, I’m that kind of person. The instigator. Better stay away from me. Or be prepared for heaps of fun.
And as we were playing around in the water one of the locals came by telling us we should also try to use the boats they were using. I wouldn’t call it a boat but rather a flat piece of wood but they were crossing the lake with it.
There were two wooden pieces as paddles next to it and we tried our luck balancing on that thing. I tell you, it looked easier than it was. I was actually the only one who managed to stay on it and cover some distance. Don’t know why but I love balancing sports.
Swimming in crystal clear water
And while we are at it, that wasn’t the last time I was swimming in a lake in Ghana.
Together with two Swiss volunteers and a French girl who barely spoke a word with us, we headed out on an adventure exploring the big Volta lake, Ghana’s biggest lake.
We convinced a fisherman to take us on a trip for 2 hours and it was so worth it. While the shoreline where we boarded was rather dirty and trashed, he took us to an island on the lake.
The locals living on the island drink the water from the lake which was the evidence I needed to jump in for a swim. To respect their traditions, I left my clothes on but smiled from one ear to the other.
Look at the crystal clear water. Who wouldn’t want to swim in there?
Watching elephants play in the water
And here we go. On another adventure during my time in Ghana, I visited the only national park in the country that had wildlife to show.
We first did a walking safari and were incredibly lucky as we saw a couple of elephants right at the beginning. The herd was bathing in the water. There were young ones in between and some were playing and fighting. So beautiful to watch.
For me, this was the first time I had seen elephants outside a zoo. It was pure joy. They looked so happy. In the water.
Learning to surf in the ocean
Next up — Learning to surf.
I was actually surprised how quickly I got up on the board and loved catching a wave or two. Later on, I learned these were perfect beginner conditions. Not once did I manage to stand up on a surfboard in Namibia. It is the same ocean but it’s a rough one.
By booking a surfing lesson with a guide for one hour I was allowed to use that board for the rest of the day. Which I did. Because I had so much fun. Some locals joined me later and taught me some tricks. How to get up quickly and so on.
Guess what, the next day you could throw me in a corner. Not ever having surfed before, I had muscle pain in places I didn’t even know I had muscles!
Swimming with turtles
I don’t even remember how I happened to go on this activity but I remember a Korean guy was involved. I was on the island of Zanzibar for a week or so and met this guy who was also traveling solo and he probably asked me if I wanted to swim with turtles.
I think there was some kind of festival. For the turtles. With the turtles. They were being released? I can’t remember honestly. I just remember getting into the water and there were turtles everywhere. Below my feet, behind my back, in front of me. They were touching my hands.
It was weird at first because I was worried I’d hurt them while moving my legs or arms but eventually I realized they could hurt me more, so I just relaxed in the water.
And yes, those braids were my personal souvenir from Ghana…
Water skiing in paradise
And just while we were at it, I found out there was an option to go water skiing. It wasn’t cheap and actually out of my backpacker’s budget but so was the entire trip to Zanzibar.
So off we went. I had been water skiing twice before. Once, on a handball camp in Croatia when I was about 14 years old. And the second time also in Croatia a few years later.
This time there was a boat pulling me and I seriously struggled to get up. It definitely took longer than I had paid for but the guy was nice and let me try again and again until I finally stood and wouldn’t get off those skis.
I tell you, it was so much fun. Gliding across the water. And not any water. The crystal clear, turquoise blue water of the Indian ocean. A dream.
Swimming on top of a waterfall
And now I am approaching the adrenaline-inducing activities around water. Zambia was only on my list of countries I wanted to cross in Africa because of the mighty Victoria Falls. And even though I had expectations of this place, those expectations were surpassed.
I had never seen so much water at once before. I had never seen such a huge waterfall. And I surely had never seen a cloud being formed from the mist rising off a waterfall.
There were so many firsts for me at this place. And I added some more to it.
Like swimming on top of a waterfall.
Sounds dangerous? Because it is dangerous. While the famous Devil’s Pool was closed due to high water level, Angel’s Pool was open and, disregarding its name, was even more dangerous.
At the edge of Devil’s Pool is a rock wall preventing you from falling down 110 meters. At the edge of Angel’s Pool, there’s nothing. No edge, no wall. Those two ropes you see are my only safety net.
I’m holding onto the rope in the water with both hands. If I let go, the water would push me over the edge. My last chance would be to grab that rope above the edge. But let’s not go there.
To say the least, this was an incredible adventure!
Getting rained on from the rising mist of a waterfall
This is now from the other side looking at the Victoria Falls. This is where the less adrenaline-seeking visitors go to. But I tell you, it is adventurous too. You have to cross a hanging bridge which is soaking wet and you get rained on from the cloud rising above the falls.
You walk at the top of the canyon and see the mighty Zambezi River down at your feet.
You see a rainbow wherever you look. Because well, there’s no cloud in the sky. Except for the mist above the falls.
Many have said it and I only have to agree. You can’t describe seeing Victoria Falls. You have to experience it.
Almost drowning while white-water rafting
Well, I must be honest, I see myself as a good swimmer and I’m never been shy of jumping into any water. But this day I only survived because of the swim vest I was wearing.
The current wasn’t even the problem. The whirlpools were. They kept on sucking me underneath the surface. I don’t know how many liters of water I drank that day. But surely more than what is recommended on a hot day in Africa.
And in case you’re looking for me in the picture above, you won’t find me. I’m somewhere below the surface.
I’ve written about my adventure of white water rafting in the mighty Zambezi River before and you can read about it here. It’s surely an adventure I won’t forget in the near and far future.
Bungee-jumping towards the roaring water
And I guess I wasn’t skydiving yet back then and somehow had to bring my adrenaline levels up. All these activities at Victoria Falls I did within 5 days.
I finished it by jumping off a bridge.
I tell you that. Once and never again. Jumping off that bridge only attached to a rope I was sure I would find my end in the water. Don’t ask me why I still did it. But hey, I’m still here to tell the story.
Watching pelicans take off from the water
After all these extreme activities it was time to calm down a bit. How else than on the ocean while watching birds. Sounds relaxing? It sure was.
On the coast of Namibia, you can see countless flamingoes and pelicans. A beautiful sight especially when those heavy birds are trying to take off. They are so heavy they can’t just get off the water. It takes them several seconds of wing flapping before they can actually get up in the air.
Paddling on a Mokoro through the Okavango Delta
Botswana was for the more relaxing but just as wild experiences. I was alone when I booked the trip into the wilderness and so it was just the guide and me who set off on an adventure on the water.
On a simple dugout canoe, called Mokoro in the local language, we paddled far into the Okavango delta. I just hoped not to pass a hippo because I had no chance of escape.
But it was a relaxing experience. We passed more water lilies than wildlife and I listened to the sound of the birds while suntanning in the boat.
Walking through water
That same evening the guide took me into the delta on a walking safari. Yes, we were looking for wildlife, such as elephants, lions, and hippos. And yes, we were on foot.
And no, I did not stay dry. Being a wetland and visiting the delta in the rainy season we had to walk long stretches through still or flowing water.
Camping next to the ocean
This is something I’ve done countless times in my time living in Namibia and something I’d do anytime again. Even though it’s chilly most of the time of the year, camping right next to the ocean is what I love.
Listening to the sound of the waves while falling asleep is such a peaceful way to close one’s eyes.
Playing in the river flowing through the desert
Another one of these special experiences.
Those following me for longer know I lived in Namibia for several years and while I experienced a drought for most of my time being there, I also got lucky with some heavy rains in the country which caused dry rivers to fill up and flow.
In the picture above it isn’t me who’s playing in the flowing mud, it’s my husband. As it happens the photographer is not often in the shot herself.
When we heard the Kuiseb River was starting to come down and wasn’t far from the coast, we borrowed a Minibus, loaded the friends, and drove off.
Once we found the river we stayed right in there. Playing in the mud. Climbing up the sand dunes next to it and jumping back into the water. Once again, something you’ll only understand if you have lived in the desert or have experienced droughts before.
Yes, we were like children. But we were a bunch of happy children.
Fishing in the ocean
I’ve never done lots of fishing myself but I always come along. I mean someone needs to prepare food when no fish gets caught, right?
Plus, I love hanging out on the beach and watching the sun sink into the ocean.
Paddling in crystal clear waters
I’ve found my love to stand up paddling in Namibia and while it is surely not one of the easiest places to learn how to balance on the board due to the rough Atlantic ocean, it prepared me for all kinds of conditions.
Here, you can see me floating across the crystal clear and turquoise blue water on the Gulf of Thailand.
Snorkeling
I see I started something and I can’t stop. There are more and more activities I do and have done in water.
Snorkeling is one of them. I’m not the best diver but I love to snorkel and swim through a school of colorful fish. And I guess the only proper snorkeling I’ve done is in and around Thailand. Those islands are just so beautiful.
Scuba diving surrounded by bubbles
It was one of the activities I never wanted to do. I was sure I would have problems breathing. I guess my biggest fear was this adventure would put me far out of my comfort zone.
But I did it.
My husband kind of forced me to try. And I did. I struggled but I pushed through. And even though you won’t see me smiling while diving down there. I was smiling afterwards.
Driving through water
This is usually not me. Driving through the water. My husband would be the one steering the wheel and I’m the one getting out of the car to walk barefoot through the river to find out if it’s safe to cross.
Something I’d never done in my life before I introduced Africa into my life. Except for driving in the rain. It’s Germany. Of course, I always drive in the rain.
But crossing a river without a bridge? Only in Africa…
Kayaking
Kayaking. Depending on the river or body of water you’re in, it can be very safe or very dangerous. Personally, I’ve never been kayaking in steep canyons or where dangerous rapids could be found.
This kayaking experience here was done at the border between South Africa and Namibia on the Orange River. We were dropped off 20 kilometers upriver and used the time of the morning to slowly paddle back to camp. And whenever we got too hot we jumped in the river for a cooling swim.
It was a great adventure.
Water-tubing down a river
It was a first for me. To use a tire as a floating material. But it was so much fun. We did it also on the Orange River. We walked upriver, got into the tubes, and let ourselves drift down the unknown stretch of water.
We laughed a lot and surely enjoyed the adventure.
Swimming in a lake in the desert
And this was my absolute highlight. A valley surrounded by nothing but sand dunes filled up from a perennial river and a lake was created. A lake in the middle of the desert.
Maybe you’d say this isn’t a rare occurrence But this event only happens about once in ten years. But who knows with climate change and all those droughts across the globe if it will ever happen again?
This is why I still call it a miracle.
It was my kind of paradise. Swimming in a lake in the desert.
Thank you for reading through this list of watery adventures. And if you still have some time left, check out this article from GE McKerrihan. He takes us on a walk through the streets of Oaxaca Centro.
And if you did read until the end please let me know which of these adventures I should choose to respond to this challenge. Which one intrigued you and you’d love to read more about? I’m curious.
