WOW, What a ride….

I was hooked from the moment I saw the words ‘adventurer’ and ‘Amazon’ but nothing could have prepared me for the life changing experience I was about to embark on as the winner of last year’s Girls on Top trip.
It began with the scary task of fundraising a minimum of $5000 for the Amazon wilderness. I needn’t have worried though (which later became my motto), as the final total of $17,500 clearly told me I had the support from not only my friends and family but also local community.

Then came the trek. The peak of the roller coaster, with its very own highs and lows. This truly was the toughest challenge for me of all. Though again I needn’t have worried.
Yes there were days when the altitude sickness and the bowel action got me down, but with the support of an amazing group of individuals on the same roller coaster ride, I somehow managed to get through it and of course the rewards of the surrounding Peruvian Andes and the self-satisfaction of accomplishment made it all worthwhile.

No sleep for 5 days, living in a third world country, dealing with altitude sickness, climbing a mountain, not showering for 12 days and losing my tickets home are just some of the many challenges I faced on my journey.
All of these seemed to form one major challenge – “Stop stressing the small stuff”.
This incredible journey taught me what my father has been trying to tell me for years. “Don’t worry, be happy”. And finally I can really appreciate what it actually means.

Girls on top gave me the chance to grow as an individual in both my personal and professional life, experience an adventure I may have never had the opportunity or confidence to do and meet an incredible group of passionate people along the way. I recommend it to everyone.
Thinking back on the whole adventure the best way to describe it, is an eye-opening roller coaster ride of emotions and experiences, but most of all a life changing self-empowering journey.
If you wish it was you – please apply.

Marayaka xx