Only 6 more sleeps!

Our flat is almost empty!  What an exciting 5 weeks it has been!  The trick to selling up your life to embark on a long term adventure... have a plan, work your plan and you will achieve your goals. 

The first leg of our journey kicks off on Monday morning early bells.  We climb on the bus and travel to Howick, where we will stay for a short while until we depart SA.  We are estimating approximately 2 weeks, dependent on flight availability.  We will be visiting friends in the Midlands and Southern Drakensberg, where we will do some fly-fishing and hiking.  Only 6 more sleeps :-)

The next 6 days are filled to the brim with family, friends, Bon Voyage celebration on Friday evening, lunch with friends on Saturday, work on Sunday morning and then another gathering with friends on Sunday afternoon at the Irish Club.  Let the good times roll.

Joshua is taking this entire process in his casual stride.  This change in lifestyle and country can only benefit him as he grows up.  First and foremost he will learn to speak Spanish quick quick, he will be sailing on a yacht in the Caribbean, what more could a 4 year old boy ask for.  We do believe that Joshua will simply be Joshua and lead this entire adventure, with his Mom and Dad happily in tow.  His personality, confidence and eagerness to learn is admirable.  A brave young man with the world in the palm of his hands.

So much to do in so little time!

Yes we are totally crazy, we know that :-)  but surely life is all about taking that leap of faith, taking control of your own existence and doing exactly what you want to do, doing what makes you happy, doing what is right for you and your children? 

I never ever for one moment thought that I would be sailing on a yacht in the Caribbean and here I am, my life now fits into a backpack and I am so very ready to get this journey started. 

It is the most amazing feeling to get rid of all of your earthly goods, those things that keep you feeling that you simply can't leave to do something bigger and better.  It's those earthly goods that hold you back from amazing things.  But let me tell you...once you start you find just how easy it is to sell your favourites or to toss the dust collectors in the bin.  All of a sudden you see just how easy it all actually is....

The most challenging part for me personally is the 'goodbyes'.  Only 14 days left in Jozi and then I have to say goodbye to my two girls,  Kaelah (10) and Christine (21).  How do you say goodbye to your children?  I shall soon find out and I will let you know :-)

We have a busy two weeks ahead,  we have to sell our car, train our business partner up, sell the last of our dive gear and then we are done with, what once was our busy life in Jozi.  It doesn't sound like much but it will surely keep us out of mischieve..lol.

With that in mind, I am off to start this Monday, so much to do in so little time! 

Telling our story - local radio station - 94.7

We had a good chuckle when listening to the Darren, Sam and the team, the topic was 'Crocs'.  With our upcoming travels and everyday shoes in mind, here's what we sent to the Breakfast Express team :-)

 

 

 

Hi Darren & Team
Crocs are the coolest shoes on the planet and during our travels we plan to prove this.  It is our goal to travel the world only wearing Crocs.

It started with an idea and a years plan.  A week later it became a 7 week plan and a reality.  Easy! Fly to the Caribbean, get a spot on a yacht and cruise the seas of paradise.

Sounds simple? Problems? we have a life, a small business, a car, a home, school fees...all those normal everyday entrapments of a big city life. No worries! we have space on a yacht, let's sell it all! Buy our plane tickets and begin our journey.

That was 3 weeks ago and WOW what a ride.  An emotional rollercoaster of highs & lows. Now each of our lives fits into a backpack and a wooden trunk which is to be hidden until our return.

And what has this to do with Crocs?  Well! We all know ladies affiliation towards shoes and as parents we know our child's cupboard is full of shoes, some worn, some thrown around and some never touched. 

If you have never travelled, how do you pack your life into a backpack? and how do you fit your shoes in?

I started wearing Crocs in 2005 working in the Joburg dive industry.  My name is Barry, I'm 37 and an adventure guide by trade.  My lady Toni is 39 and has been in the corporate world for 17 years.  She started wearing Crocs when we met in 2007.  In 2010 she quit the corporate world and started in our children's 'Edutainment' business.  Up until we started selling our life Toni owned 7 pairs of Crocs.  Our boy Joshua who is 4, has only ever lived in Crocs and we have just bought his 3rd pair for our travels.

We are well aware of how the majority think of Crocs and many a conversation has started with strangers over Crocs.  Yes, Crocs look funny! but man, the pro's definitely outweigh the con's.  They are light, mould to your foot, comfortable, good for your posture, good for your soul, easy to clean and they last, value for money.

In 2010 I bought a pair of 'hiking' Crocs and since then have done numerous 3 day and 1 day guided hikes in the Drakensberg, built hiking trails and waded, I don't know how many rivers? and I still wear them virtually every day. It is these Crocs I am taking with on our journey.  Toni has sold her Crocs and only taking a pair of Croc slip slops and a pair of original orange Crocs.  Our boy Joshua has only 1 pair of green Crocs. 

As a family we are a huge promoter and supporter of Crocs and plan to document our travels through the 'Sole of our Crocs'.

As 'non believers' lol..we invite you to follow our blog, Backpacks and Adventures, and follow our travels on a 'Croc-string' budget with backpacks and Crocs.  http://backpacksandadventures.blogspot.com/

Eyes up!

Barry, Toni and Joshua
EcoBlu Edutainment
Toni: 084 998 8868
Barry: 074 413 9994
Email: ecoblu@hotmail.co.za
'Find us on Facebook'

Our time in Jozi is drawing to a happy close...

And so our home is now an empty flat, cupboards are bare, pictures are down... all of what we once new up to 3 weeks ago is now gone or coming to an end.  My desk is now a crate and my chair a camera case and it's awesome!  It's pretty easy downsizing your life to a backpack, the secret is to plan it all carefully and then to work your plan.  Have lists and cross off each action and soon your 2 page list diminishes down to 10 actions. 

It's time to get this journey started and it kicks off on the 29/30 April, we road trip via the Greyhound to Howick in the beautiful Midlands, where we will spend quality time with friends and family.  We will be off to the Southern Berg for some fishing, a braai or two and well deserved walk in the mountains.  We will be 'car less' so our travels will all be on foot, via public transport and friends.  Our entire journey will comprise of backpacks and Crocs :-)

Our 'bon voyage' fundraising celebration takes place on Friday, 26 April.  I am super excited to have this last opportunity to say 'adios' to those who we know in Jozi.  We are asking all that come along to contribute to our journey around the Caribbean.  Bring along all your old change or donate R100 to an extra day in the Caribbean.  R100 will pay for one more day :-)

Joshua is growing more excited as he sees our flat emptying, he knows our journey begins in a short while.  His backpack is packed with all his important belongings which he holds dear, his clothes, toothbrush and board shorts.  When asked what he will miss the most about Joburg, his response is "I will miss Kaelah the most"... and that's when my heart swells with pride, this little boy of only 4 years understands love and how to give and receive love. 

Me, I am in the right place in my life to make this change in my life.  I am eager to begin my new way of life.  I have never flown overseas, I have never visited another country other than Mozambique and of course I left Rhodesia (before it became Zimbabwe) when I was a little girl and have never been back. 

What attracts me the most about this journey,meeting the children of the Caribbean.  Getting to know them, their struggles, their dreams and how they live their lives.  So much good stuff coming our way.

Anyway, my 10 minutes of quiet time is over, it's time to get my scooter ready for collection this afternoon.  Taking her for a quick ride to say my goodbyes :-)

I wish you a magical day, filled to the brim with peace, love and happiness.

Blu