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It's not work that gets me out of bed - it's the adventure...
What got me started in adventure was my belief that there had to be more to life. If you don't set yourself a goal, you don't end up doing what you want to do in life. I had set my goals - and achieved them. I never want to be complacent though - and so I went looking for more.
I'd read all of the '1,001 things to do before you die' books, and so few of those ideas had that 'wow' factor. So that's when I started my Bucket List - all the crazy adventures that I want to do before I die!
In September 2009, I read Real Travel's article on Holly Budge, the first woman to skydive over Mount Everest. As her next adventure, she described racing 1,000km across Mongolia on semi-wild Mongolian ponies, riding 14 hours every day, carrying all her food, tent and supplies. And that was when I added the longest horse race in history, the Mongol Derby, to my Bucket List.
I've always loved Mongolia - having lived in Uzbeckistan,Kazackstan,Tadjikistan and Kirgistan from 1999 to 2003, and having done the Silk Route of Marco Polo. The open wilderness and vastness - that whole lifestyle - fascinates me. And the history behind Genghis Khan conquering this remote part of the world more than 800 years ago, and controlling such a vast empire with a postal system built around horse messengers travelling for thousands of miles every day - it's incredible.
I count myself lucky to be one of the handful of thrill-seekers from around the world taking part in this epic, exhilarating one-of-a-kind adventure!
The chance to benefit my chosen cause, Indlela, is just the cherry on the top. I believe I've been called to support these orphans, and Indlela's Fair Havens Babies Home is close to my heart. As James 1:27 reads: "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
The name 'Indlela' in Zulu means 'the way' and is all about helping the vulnerable and poor find their way to a brighter future. The Fair Havens Babies Home is a sanctuary for abandoned babies and toddlers, where they're nurtured and loved in a family environment.
Indlela's Babies Home means a lot to me, and I want to work towards not just completing the Mongol Derby for the sake of it, but for the sake of these children as well.
Everything about this race and doing it for Indlela is pushing me to get the most out of and give the most back in life.
I hope you'll join me on my journey to the Mongol Derby by reading my blog, and keeping up with me on Facebook and Twitter.
These are the experiences that a lifetime of memories are made of!
<h3>It’s not work that gets me out of bed – it’s the adventure...<img align="right" alt="Paul Erskine | Mongol Derby Rider" hspace="10" src="images/gallery09/6351/57391/400x400.jpeg" title="Paul Erskine" vspace="10" /></h3>What got me started in adventure was my belief that there had to be more to life. If you don’t set yourself a goal, you don’t end up doing what you want to do in life. I had set my goals – and achieved them. I never want to be complacent though – and so I went looking for more. <br /><br />I’d read all of the ‘1,001 things to do before you die’ books, and so few of those ideas had that ‘wow’ factor. So that’s when I started my Bucket List – all the crazy adventures that I want to do before I die!<br /><br />In September 2009, I read Real Travel’s article on Holly Budge, the first woman to skydive over Mount Everest. As her next adventure, she described racing 1,000km across Mongolia on semi-wild Mongolian ponies, riding 14 hours every day, carrying all her food, tent and supplies. And that was when I added the longest horse race in history, the Mongol Derby, to my Bucket List.<br /><br />I’ve always loved Mongolia – having lived in Uzbeckistan,Kazackstan,Tadjikistan and Kirgistan from 1999 to 2003, and having done the Silk Route of Marco Polo. The open wilderness and vastness – that whole lifestyle – fascinates me. And the history behind Genghis Khan conquering this remote part of the world more than 800 years ago, and controlling such a vast empire with a postal system built around horse messengers travelling for thousands of miles every day – it’s incredible.<br /><br />I count myself lucky to be one of the handful of thrill-seekers from around the world taking part in this epic, exhilarating one-of-a-kind adventure!<br /><br />The chance to benefit my chosen cause, Indlela, is just the cherry on the top. I believe I’ve been called to support these orphans, and Indlela’s Fair Havens Babies Home is close to my heart. As James 1:27 reads: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”<br /><br />The name ‘Indlela’ in Zulu means ‘the way’ and is all about helping the vulnerable and poor find their way to a brighter future. The Fair Havens Babies Home is a sanctuary for abandoned babies and toddlers, where they’re nurtured and loved in a family environment.<br /><br />Indlela’s Babies Home means a lot to me, and I want to work towards not just completing the Mongol Derby for the sake of it, but for the sake of these children as well. <br /><br />Everything about this race and doing it for Indlela is pushing me to get the most out of and give the most back in life.<br /><h4>I hope you’ll join me on my journey to the Mongol Derby by reading my blog, and keeping up with me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Paul-Erskine/175877482459517" title="Follow Paul Erskine on Facebook" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/Mongol_Rider" title="Follow Paul Erskine on Twitter" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</h4><p>These are the experiences that a lifetime of memories are made of!</p>