Next challenge – Kayaking in Madagascar

Had fate not intervened, one year ago today I would have had bariatric, weight-loss surgery making a tiny pouch of my stomach and re-routing my intestine. I want to honour myself for having made the transition from being morbidly obese to reaching a healthy weight rather by changing my eating and physical activity.

I am fundamentally changed. People don’t recognise me. But I also don’t recognise myself. As a travel writer I have often turned down invitations which would stretch me physically out of fear that I would be uncomfortable. In April this year, I am stretching myself physically and emotionally by accepting a very generous invitation from Jenman Safaris to join them on a Madagascar Barefoot Luxury Kayak Adventure which, over the course of a week, will see us kayaking in the South East of Madagascar, camping in forests and on the beach and also staying at beach lodge accommodation.

There will be many firsts for me along this trip but I am looking forward to them with excitement and some anxiety. I think I have missed out on many enriching experiences in my life out of fear of not being able to cope and accepting this trip signals another new start.