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Embracing the Unexpected: My African Adventures Begin
Embracing the Unexpected: My African Adventures Begin
Deafening rain drums on the roof here in Zanzibar. The power is out, I have no wifi, and even mobile signal is playing hard-to-get. Honestly, the wifi and electricity have been the most temperamental that I’ve encountered so far on my travels, but I’m not complaining. This is the unpredictability you sign up for when backpacking through Africa.
Just seven weeks ago, I waved farewell to Grand Cayman, two backpacks strategically stuffed for a four-month solo trip spread across the southeast coast of Africa, into Egypt, and a quick bounce across Europe. Surprisingly, my packing game was mostly on point! I did lighten the load a bit in Cape Town – my first stop – where I met up with my partner for a wonderful week with his family. He'd arrived a week before me and, being the kind-hearted human he is, whisked away some of my nice-to-have but not need-to-have items back to Cayman when his vacation ended.
He returned to complete the final six months of his work permit, but mine ended before his and I desperately wanted to take a break from work. So, it’s just me on this adventure for now, but we plan to wander around together soon enough. And for those who are curious, we're totally rock solid about navigating this long-distance chapter.
The allure of solo travel and adventure is nothing new to me, but this is the first time I’ve embarked on a long-term backpacking trip on my own. While many begin backpacking by dipping their toes along the well-trodden solo paths of Europe, South East Asia, or South America, I decided to take the plunge into Africa because of an undeniable spark of excitement that didn’t quite strike when contemplating the aforementioned regions.
Africa’s east coast boasts healthy reefs and ample potential for diving, and I am intent on soaking up all I can about the dive world both as a customer and as an instructor. While I’ll likely work as a dive pro again later, for now I am focusing on creative pursuits, developing new skills, and brainstorming business ideas while traveling and diving for fun.
Back in Cayman, I had many dive destinations dotted across my mental map of African adventures, but only the start and end points were clear. There were so many possibilities for the route that lie between.
From Cape Town, Mozambique's Ponta Do Ouro might be next, followed by Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, a hub between the islands of Mafia, Zanzibar, and Pemba. From the remote, jungly beaches of Pemba, a ferry back to the mainland and a bus to Mombasa, Kenya could be on the cards, though Mombasa not as the destination, but as the coastal city between beautiful stretches of beach to the north and south. Maybe diving in Diani Beach would be worthwhile. A train to Nairobi to see more of Kenya enticed me for about 24 hours, but city life doesn't quite call to me, so a flight to Egypt feels more my speed. There, I’ll romp around the coast of the Red Sea, maybe find a last-minute liveaboard, and definitely settle into Dahab for a while. A mildly-hippie haven where the red desert melts into the turquoise sea? Good luck getting me to leave.
Who knows, when it’s time to move on from Africa, maybe I’d find somebody to sail with across the Mediterranean, into the Adriatic Sea, and up to Slovenia (gotta say hi to my friends!). And then my Mom lives in Spain and more friends in France, so of course I want to see them, too…
But, I didn’t need long to honestly reflect on how much time and money I actually have to dive into into so many new places both above and below the water. While it remains a dream to accomplish my well-researched itinerary, I'm finding richer rewards in slowing down, connecting with fellow wanderers and locals, and absorbing the languages, customs, commerce, and cuisine of each place. I prefer quality over quantity, even if I do have a pretty tempting list of destinations to check off.
And isn't this the very essence of travel? To peel back the layers of who we are and who we aspire to be, to reconnect with our core values by stepping outside the familiar, embracing new ways of life, and widening our perspectives. Travel isn't always an escape; often, it's a deliberate run towards something. Towards those deeper reflections that life's demands can bury. Towards growth, vulnerability, and authenticity. Towards a life where we truly thrive, not just survive.
Curious about my adventures? Follow along on Instagram for now!
Check back here soon - I’ll be launching a simple newsletter to keep you in the loop with my favorite stories, lessons learned, and life updates.
And if you’ve made it this far, wow, thank you! Thanks for reading what I have to say! I’m always happy to hear your feedback, answer your questions, or chat on Instagram or Facebook. Send me a message!
-xo sof
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