For each person, the word Africa conjures up a wide variety of images.
For most people, it is the images of poverty, despair, and corruption that are the most
obvious associations.
But in reality, Africa is so much more.
No longer restricted to the domain of hardened men with 4x4 vehicles and 10 gerry cans on
the roof, Africa's unparalleled natural beauty is available for all to experience.
With warm smiling faces the norm, and not the exception, the mother continent has opened
her arms to all that choose to travel there.
On the start line, it looks like the guys in front are not too much of a hurry, we've
got the foot foot ready, we're all ready to go, we've got 7 crew in the vehicle, we're
going to have 7 40s in 7 countries.
I'm from the States, he's from Sweden.
Team 777 is going large, we found a lot of rice about a week and a half ago and here
we are.
We're delivering shoes to needy school children and yeah.
Alright, that was my mustache, okay.
Where's your car?
I don't know.
Have you got it?
Have you got a car?
I believe so.
I think it's around here somewhere.
All the way baby, straight up the coast, stop off, 14 hours, yes.
Travel really does have a magical element that awakens the spirit, opens your eyes and
warms your heart.
For 100 intrepid explorers, this is what lies ahead of them on the inaugural foot foot
rally.
Starting out to cover 7,000km in 17 days through 7 southern African countries, crews
are free to choose their own route and accommodation to suit their own agenda and budget.
The only restriction is that they make it to the 7 official checkpoints at some of Africa's
most iconic locations for a series of almighty parties.
When you rock up here, do not expect an easy ride because why?
Because Putfas looking right at you every single day and under that microscope, you
are in trouble if you do not perform for this rally.
Well, don't take it lightly.
The saying, life is a journey, is such a cliché, but clichés become clichés because they
are so obviously true.
It's amazing what you get to experience when you bring an enthusiastic group of people
together and hit the open road.
Just unfold the map or punch some coordinates into the garmin, sit back and enjoy the unique
experience some of them get through but there's better people is more good to do, good to
do.
Well, I'll start with a bit chaotic.
We had a bit of a 48 hour bandit before we got our shit together to pack and we haven't
really worked out where everything goes yet but it's getting there.
You're a good man, you're a good man, Johnny Brown, what's your name?
Kassus Fernandes, say Kassus Fernandes, Fernandes, all right.
We have a windscreen office which semi-wet, we have a super spotlights, we have a phenomenal
work that works and some other gauges that don't and I've got all taped up ignition which
is what I'm looking for.
At the moment we're standing, looking at the bridge that splits as Zimbabwe and Zambia.
We just saw some guy jump off the bridge, that was his own fault but so far it's been
really cool.
We couldn't see much of the falls today because it's a bit misty, hence the wetness but yeah,
the vibe's been really good, everyone's having lots of fun.
We're on an island, we took a boat cruise about an hour long, waiting for the sun to
come up so we can get in the water and have a little snorkel and then head back home and
go to the checkpoint party, you're going to see me very drunk later, very drunk.
Just deep, this much sand, this thing will go anywhere, put a manpower behind but no,
we made it through, no help, we said we're not getting help from this stage, cheers guys.
But we all get together finally after long drives and get to interact with each other
and it ends up being completely crazy with people playing fire guitar, contemporary
dancing around a fire, ski dips, people flying off stages into other people's hands, I mean
it's kind of crazy but it's a great way because we all interact with each other and it's just
so much fun and we get to know so much more about each other.
Last night we had a campfire, it was great, we played some guitar, tonight is a little
different but I mean it's fantastic, we're all getting to know each other in bonding
and I think that's the point of the foot foot ratty, it's one of the points of foot
ratty, it's great. Experiencing other cultures is not just about taking it all in but also
giving back to those striving to make positive changes in their respective countries.
It kissed me softly, on the morning I awoke, you were there beside me on the side.
We had the school just about to give over 300 pairs of shoes from Pops for Good to underprivileged
children in what countries this came from.
What's happening here is probably one of the best feelings you can go through, we're
in the middle of our second shoe drop, we're sitting here literally putting these shoes
onto these kids feet, probably the first brand new pair of shoes they've ever come across
in their little career and without a doubt the most humbling experience you can do and
we get to have fun while we're doing it, not bargain.
The leaves of molten glass rolled in on the tide, you were there beside me right beside.
Now I wonder what is lost by what is gained, careless mornings and sun-soaked senses.
Now I wonder what is lost by what is gained, careless mornings and sun-soaked senses.
Now I wonder what is lost by what is gained, careless mornings and sun-soaked senses.
You know in the beginning it's like oh where's your stuff, what are you doing, where you're
staying blah blah blah and then as you kind of get into the groove, as you kind of get
into the vibe, all that kind of angst falls away and you just start to kind of realize
that it's not such a big deal and it's actually awesome, it's relaxed, the borders are not
a problem, everything's cheap, people are friendly, everybody's there to help you, it's
beautiful, it's easy and it's great and it's fantastic.
And I think it's about six o'clock in the morning, can't be too sure, but coffee and
boiled eggs on the go.
Delicious.
Where are we headed, South, South to Inanamun, Inahama, that's our destination.
I think it's a bit of a mix thing, you know we've got two last days on the road and it's
quite hot I think, in any sort of big trip or epic tour you do start thinking about home
but you never want to stop enjoying it for the moment, so we're determined to go and
enjoy the last bit of Mozambique today, head into Swaziland tomorrow, I don't think I've
been in Swaziland since I was six years old, it's a common way for that, so we'll see
where everybody is but I think the spirit around the campsite this morning were really
really good, the guys finished on an absolutely high last night and I think it's all good
to go from here.
Africa is a beautiful place and for all its problems it has a lot that it can teach us.
It is a land where the human to human connection is not lost, a place where dance and song
still have meaning and a place where people are adaptable and resourceful and where a
strong sense of community prevails over all else.
For these 100 journeymen, Africa has passed this gift onto them.
You got to know it, this is like, it's going to happen annually but it's a once in a lifetime
event for a person, you just have to know it.
I don't want to go back home, it's going to be so boring.
Just an amazing way to see Africa, very quick, you've got to be honest.
So much beauty on our doorstep that really is just a drive away in any sort of vehicle
and I think some of the other teams have proved that, whether you five guys in a little city
golf or three industrious dudes in a 1,200 Datsun, I think it's a lot easier than people
make out.
As soon as you turn that corner when you come in close instead of going further away a little
bit of your soul dies but it's been an amazing trip.
It's ordinary people who've come together who were individuals at the start line and
tonight when we look at each other and say our goodbyes, we're a family.
It's no longer mates, I think it's just all a big family, a put foot rally family.
That's
