Alpha Three – End of Adventure Phase

By Project PRO Christina Corder

After a long bus journey to Kerala we arrived at our campsite ready for our 11 day trek. The first day was really hard and a few people struggled. By the third day we got to the top of the mountain, after a day of tears and sweat. We continued our trek as the days went on and it became easier for all of us. Certain members of the team suffered from sore knees and tendons, but we carried on and finished our trek as a very happy group!

After our tear jerking trek, we jumped on the bicycles and began our two days of mountain biking – now this was sweat and tears extreme.

For the kayaking, we travelled through the backwaters of Kerala and on finishing, we felt we had a really strong team and had achieved a lot out of this phase. I found it very challenging but so much fun and came back feeling really proud of our team.

Alpha Three

Shiju

The team take a rest

Tori and Georgia

The boys and the samba rice: Guy and Bruno

Sarah

Reflections on the expedition

At first when I came to Raleigh International I did not really know what to expect. Now I am here I am so happy I grabbed this opportunity with both hands. I have learned to understand other people’s cultures and views – this expedition has opened a new career option and path for me and has changed my life and I thank all the people for making this experience more real.

It’s been absolutely amazing from the start to the end –from digging elephant trenches to building eco-sanitation units, learning Kannada and the improving our own personal strength by trekking, mountain biking, getting hurt in places you could never imagine and kayaking the wonderful backwaters of Kerala.

Whoever is reading this, I want to say that there are not enough hours in the day to explain what Raleigh has done for me. One of the most important things I have learned is that you have to put into life what you want to get out of it.