A mix of all our India trips in 2017 as we create our first ever Expedition India adventure race. It was most probably the craziest thing to do but a great success!
Thailand Adventures
Confessions from the Heart
My favourite time of the year!
Christmas is a time of Love, Family and Holiday. Or for us "Working Holiday" as we normally use this time to do our Expedition Africa scouting and planning of the route during December.
There are so many cards and good wishes flying around and normally we just give it a quick read and page over to the next. Well at least I do. So to keep my message short and sweet:
* Make small goals every day
* Nobody can do the change for you - only you
* You cant take anything from this earth with you so focus on the things that really matters eg: the way you speak to others? etc
* Focus on Giving... once you realised how wonderful it is to give every day a new World will open to you! I am not talking about financially giving, I am talking about giving yourself!
* Create memories by stepping out there and just do things you have never done before
* Ok, now its getting long so I better stop.
* Lastly just be a beautiful person from the inside out in everything you do and you will touch people without knowing it.
I have to go - Stephan is waiting for me as we off to a Mountain biking ride...
Have a wonderful day, an amazing year in 2018 and just always remember at the end of the day #itsallaboutlove
Christmas time = #itsallaboutlove
Nothing can beat the feeling of Christmas time! Its holiday, its summer sunshine, time for some sleep, time for some exercise, time to have fun, be crazy and just play with our children all the time… the key word is: TIME
For the first time ever we have decided this year to stay at our “Beach House” at the Vaaldam, which is around 1.5 hours from Johannesburg. Most probably the best decision we made as it forced us to relax and I mean really to relax. We travel so much during the year, weekends of route scouting, weekends of events, weekends of fashion shows and it just never stops. Here it’s like we were giving some extra time to recharge our batteries…
I get myself feeling that I don’t want to open the laptop yet, like I am running away from all the things I must still do. Maybe I know what lies ahead and just want to give myself some “time out”
For now I just try to enjoy every day with my children and treasure the “in Love” time with them. I still look at them and can’t believe that they are so big already and what happened to the time. I just want to keep them small and with me… Our big boy, Werner’s birthday is on Christmas day. Never did I think that I will have a Christmas baby but that just shows that when you don’t interfere with life it will go its own way and thus God has decided to show mommy that He is in Control.
5 years ago we received our first born baby on this magical day. It did not come easy as I was 26 hours in Labour but it was one of my most empowering days in my Life!! I loved it to be pregnant and the whole experience is just one of the most wonderful gifts of life! I can highly recommend that for those out there thinking about it, but that is another conversation for another day.
As we have a Birthday on Christmas day we have the tradition to open Presents on Christmas Eve. I was dreaming of having a Christmas Eve “beach setting”, unfortunately the weather did not play along and we had to move the dinner inside. We had our big daughter Shauni and her fiancé, Gideon with his mom Lydia and Allan over. Allan as a part time entertainer is one of those people you always want in your team because he can make any occasion more fun as he dressed up as a Santa. You can just imagine the excitement and fun it was for Werner, Isabella and Blondi upon opening the presents. Nothing in the world can beat those little faces of anticipation as each gift get handed out!! This is my mommy “in Love” moments.
Thank you to all our visitors during this holiday. It makes me so happy if you can enjoy summer fun with us. We swam mostly in the warm water of the dam, got a good tan, and spent lots of time on the boat, a bit of water skiing, paddling, eating (too much), sleeping and a bit of exercise per day. We even got a Wedding Scouting day in and found the most special “Farm Style” Wedding venue for our big girl, Shauni. 2016 is going to be a big year with big events and the closing of it will be our Princess Wedding day scheduled for 10 December 2016.
Happy Holidays as they say to all of you!
Keep up the training for our Expedition Africa! I can just imagine how difficult this must be for our European teams…thinking that we have hot sunshine days versus Cold, snowy conditions... all I know that i prefer the heat and will never survive with those long cold winters. We can only be thankful.
Always remember that #itsallaboutlove and this is a special time to be Thankful for the life we have!! See below some of my "mommy in love" photo's
PS - don't you just love this family Christmas photo above? it was hilarious as we tried to get Isabella and Werner smiling and with endless bribes we only got them to look at the camera ...see Werner face, i cant stop looking at it and just smile!!
Lets start running this year!!
Is it your New Year’s Resolution to get fit and healthy?
Are you living in Johannesburg and always wondering what to do?
Join us at our Night trail running events in the heart of Johannesburg (4km and 8km course)
Our sporting events company, Kinetic, have organised the Night trail runs (4km and 8km) on different Golf courses, for the last 6 years in Johannesburg. So for those of you who have not yet attended one of our Night runs this is the short breakdown of the event.
Join on average 500 plus other fit enthusiasts on these beautiful nights! Different product sponsors adds to the excitement at the Prize giving, in the Clubhouse after the run. Trappers give Gift vouchers to all the winning categories. Gifts from Energizer, Capestorm and Hammer Nutrition. It looks like Christmas!!
All you need to do:
No worries if it looks like it might rain on the night. We just wait a few minutes so that the storm passes over and then we continue the run!
No excuses as this is the beginning of a new year! A new fit you!
This event is proudly sponsored by Energizer South Africa. So #LetsEnergize #Exploreafterdark
See you at our first run for the year on Wednesday night, 3 Feb 2016 at Bryanston Country Club.
And yes its part of Valentines theme so remember to dress in RED!!
Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kineticeventsafrica/?ref=hl
Love Heidi
We look every year for what is most needed in the area closest to our Host Town and found this wonderful organisation who is so desperately in need of Funding. Our whole idea is to get the teams participating with a local child which will benefit from our contributions and make a Mosaic Creation which will be a Landmark in the Town of Sedgefield. All sponsors names will be engraved into this landmark and while teams are racing the Masithandane group of tilers will finish the Landmark. After the event teams can go back and take their Team photo's of this Landmark of which they were part of. Contact me if you want to assist me with this Dream!! #loveyouexpeditionafrica
We had the most amazing morning spending time with some of the local children as they were showing my Werner and Isabella all about Mosaic. You can also see the spot where we are going to make this Landmark!! See photo's below.
PRESS RELEASE: Expedition Africa Mosaics for Change Community Project
The Garden Route, known locally as the "Home of Adventure" will host Expedition Africa 2016. Teams from all over the world will arrive in less than six weeks to take on this team challenge of mountain biking, trekking, orienteering, kloofing, kayaking and abseiling in the picturesque Garden Route.
Organisers; Heidi and Stephan Muller have always ensured the local community benefits from their Expedition Africa events, and this year the Bursary Fund for Children of the local Non-Profit Organisation Masithandane has been chosen. Masithandane is a registered Non-Profit Organisation No. 052-253 & Public Benefit Organisation No. 930025275 and has been working in the area for 10 years. The Bursary Fund is used to assist families in need with transport costs to school, school fees and uniforms.
According to Jacky Weaver of the Masithandane Fund, "there are no High Schools in the area, and no public transport systems in place for children living in Sedgefield and its outlying rural area." The majority of the Greater Sedgefield Area's population is located in formal and informal settlements away from infrastructure, services and employment opportunities.
"The Bursary fund is a preventative measure needed to prevent high school drop-outs, teenage pregnancy, crime, drug abuse and the dangers associated with hitch-hiking" shares Weaver.
"Expedition Africa is more than just an adventure race; it's about changing lives!! This type of event will change the lives of not only the competitor; but also affect every person who is part of this event and ultimately give back to the Community. It's about making amazing memories and leaving a legacy behind" expresses Heidi Muller of Kinetic Events. Kinetic Events have aligned this year’s Expedition Africa with the Masithandane organisation to create a Mosaic Landmark showcasing this year's exciting event.
“Mosaic Village & Outdoor Market is proud to host the Expedition Africa 2016 participants. We are honoured to be chosen to provide the backdrop for the mosaic masterpiece that will be crafted as a memory for the community project” shares Cliff Elion, owner of the Mosaic Village and Outdoor Market.
According to Greg Vogt of Knysna & Partners, "one of the goals of hosting the event in the Garden Route was to establish and cement the claim that this region is the Home of Adventure within the Western Cape. "
The 53 participating teams will unite the day before their Expedition Africa adventure begins; creating a master piece that will feature the legacy of each individual taking part in this year's Expedition Africa and their representing countries. Teams will be given the necessary tools and equipment to develop a mosaic creation on a tile that will feature for years to come at the famous Sedgefield market, celebrating Expedition Africa 2016.
"We are delighted that the local community will benefit from this international event taking place within the true home of adventure, and look forward to witnessing the organisations success in reaching their fundraising objectives" shares Greg Vogt of Knysna & Partners.
The contribution towards the project required is a minimum of R1500.00 per tile. Local children and artists will be part of the interactive team experience on the 14th May 2016 creating 53 unique tiles that will form this master piece. Moreover this project will contribute to the Masithandane Bursary Fund for children and help generate income for ten local mosaic'ists and their families, and further support economic opportunities for local business.
Teams participating in this year's Expedition Africa are encouraged to spread the word to families, supporters and sponsors to support this worthy cause. Contributors will have their names engraved into the mosaic master piece, meaning their names will also live forever in Sedgefield, Western Cape, South Africa for years and years to come; celebrating 2016's Expedition Africa's Adventure Race.
The Garden Route is rich with resources when it comes to the natural beauty of the Knysna Heads, the tranquil forests and still lakes and rivers leading to the rolling ocean. This is the perfect opportunity to appreciate and uplift the local communities of this beautiful land by investing in their education, culture, fellowship and upliftment.
Help change lives with this year's Expedition Africa, make your contribution, make your change!
Expedition Africa Mosaic for Change Community Project 2016:
Expedition Africa teams will cycle from their Host Venue; Pine Lake Marina to the Mosaic Village & Outdoor Market, Sedgefield. Family and friends are welcome to witness and experience this project at the Mosaic Village & Outdoor Market.
Date: Saturday, 14 May 2016
Time: 12h00
Venue: Mosaic Village & Outdoor Market, Sedgefield
Beneficiary: Masithandane Bursary Fund for Children
www.masithandane.org www.facebook.com/Masithandane
Contact: Heidi Muller (heidi@kineticgear.co.za) if you would like to get more involved with this event, eg: sponsoring toward Branded T Shirts, food packs etc.
Contact: Jacky Weaver (weaverjacky@gmail.com) for banking details. As a contributor/sponsor, your name will be engraved into the Expedition Africa Mosaic Landmark. Certificate to RSA Businesses will be given for Tax benefit.
Expedition Africa 500km Adventure Race 2016
Date: Sunday, 15 May 2016
Start Time: 08h00
Venue: To be announced at the Opening Ceremony on Friday, 13 May 2016
Live Tracking: www.expafrica.live
Host Venue: Pine Lake Marina www.pinelakemarina.co.za
Note: All local families and supporters are welcome to attend the start of the event.
Over 200 Expedition Africa athletes cycled along South Africa's National Road; The N2 towards the Sedgefield Mosaic & Outdoor Market, waving their countries flags with pride. Each team taking part in this year's gruelling 544km Adventure Race was paired with children from the Masithandane Bursary Fun for Children to create a unique element of a Mosaic Masterpiece that will live in the market for years and years to come.
The Knynsa Lourie, Seahorse and local fynbos including the respective teams country flags were mosaic'd in the market earlier this afternoon. Each team's name and sponsor of the mosaic'd piece will be featured in the 'masterpiece' at the Sedgefield Mosaic & Outdoor Market in appreciation for their support. Funds raised from this community project will go towards the Masithandane Bursary Fund for Children.
This registered local NPO has been working in the Sedgefield area for 10 years, where the fund is utilized to assist families in need with transport costs to school, school fees and uniforms.
According to Jacky Weaver of the Masithandane Fund, "there are no High Schools in the area, and no public transport systems in place for children living in Sedgefield and its outlying rural area."
The majority of the Greater Sedgefield Area's population is located in formal and informal settlements away from infrastructure, services and employment opportunities. "The Bursary fund is a preventive measure needed to prevent high school drop-outs, teenage pregnancy, crime, drug abuse and the dangers associated with hitch-hiking" shares Weaver.
"Today was such a lovely day, teams were able to create something beautiful for a worthy cause, and we are so appreciative of Chris Elion for hosting our massive group this afternoon" shares co-race organiser; Heidi Muller.
The market was buzzing this afternoon as teams enjoyed the 'giving back' element of this race. "It was fun to step out of race mode and appreciate where you are, the people and the community, especially when this where we will be racing for the next 6 days" shares Australian athlete, Samantha Gash from DASH x RSS Expedition Africa after this afternoons community project experience.
According to Greg Vogt of Knysna & Partners, the organisation is encouraged that the event includes the Garden Route as a whole. "This experience was awesome! It was lekker to leave something behind in a place where we will be for the next couple of days" excitedly expresses Jesse Ternent of the duo Team Atlas.
Although the project was a great success, organisers Heidi and Stephan Muller would like to invite supports (local and abroad), members of the public and family members to support the initiative by donating to the Masithandane Bursary Fund before Friday, 20 May 2016. All those who financially contribute towards the cause before this date will have their names incorporated into the Mosaic'd Masterpiece in appreciation.
Masithandane Bursary Fund for Children - Banking Details:
Bank: ABSA
Absa’s SWIFT code: ABSAZAJJ
Branch/clearing code: 632005
Branch Name: Knysna
Account Name: Masithandane
Account Number: 4067253575
Bank address: ABSA, Corner of Grey and Main Street Knysna RSA 6571
Beneficiary address: Masithandane Wellness Centre, Milkwood Road, Sedgefield RSA 6573
Reference: ExpAfrica/contributor name
(The Contributor/sponsors name will be engraved into the Expedition Africa Mosaic Landmark)
Please email proof of payment to weaverjacky@gmail.com. RSA Companies will receive a BBBEE Tax benefit certificate for their contributions.)
Expedition Africa will officially start at the Cruise Cafe in Knysna at 08h00 tomorrow morning, where teams will take on their first wet leg towards the Knysna Heads. Track your teams progress throughout the 544km adventure race via www.expafrica.live
It has now been over 3 months since we finished our beloved event, Expedition Africa, which took place along the Garden Route. We spent 1 week per month, prior to our event, in and around this area in preparation.
I have been sitting with this “post-race” write up for a while and just cannot find the words to express what is happening in my heart… it is a mix of emotions.
It was truly a wonderful journey to put something of this scale together and to spend a few months in this wonderful part of South Africa. The moment that will never be forgotten was when all our teams spread out in front of us on the Knysna Lagoon, as we were standing on the pier in front of the Cruise Café. There was lots of excitement with photographers pushing each other to get the best shot and some of them were even on the boats to follow the teams. The horn blew and off they went. The wheel was rolling and you could not stop it.
While it is a non-stop race for our teams, it is a non-stop race for us, until the last team crosses that finish line. It is a year’s work culminating in the final stretch and afterwards the only memories you have left are the images and the videos. Sadly, this year I walked away empty. You know when a tap runs dry……. my tap ran out this year.
I function on love and I give love unconditionally. That is my thing. It is like adventure racing, its non-stop, and my river of love can never dry up (that is what I thought). Nevertheless, this year I walked home after prize-giving, looking at my husband and my heart was broken. We packed in silence, said our goodbye’s, farewells and thank-you’s, collected CP points. We were still sleep deprived, but tackled the 15-hour trip back to JHB, most of which was done again in silence and I can just remember the tears rolling down my cheeks. I could not stop thinking, why am I doing this? Why am I giving my soul to this? Why am I putting myself out there?
I had no words, nothing. I was just in turmoil with my thoughts and myself.
Now as I sit and open the photo galleries and the videos; my heart swells up with emotion… emotions of happiness, of sadness, of pride and utmost respect of the team of people who went out of their way and worked through-out the night with us to create and capture this “masterpiece”. The most amazing people who just gave it their all!
I mean where in the world do you find people working throughout the night? In the cold, fighting the sleep monsters, trying to keep it all together. Letting us know when the truck leaves, when it arrives, what boxes are short, which teams are close, how far the truck is along. They get worried… the gear does not arrive, the cups run out; we need more milk, then toilet paper. What next??
How can we help? the logistics car has broken down, how can we make plans? We need wood here, we need a marshal there, and we need a gate unlocked but cannot find the farmer, and then most important of all, WE ALL NEED SLEEP… How, just how, can I ever explain this world of intensity, responsibility, problem and crisis management to any person? You cannot prepare for it. You cannot just go and sleep and leave it to someone else to sort out. Once that wheel is rolling you cannot stop it!!
It is the one week in your life where you cannot think of anything else. Its 200% focused energy. Once you have all the balls in the air, you have to remember when was the last post made about this sponsor and a tweet about that sponsor? Did this happen and then that? When last did Stephan sleep? Or eat? Or does anyone know where he is? And where is Ian? And Jose? And there it goes again...
Finally, I move to the finish and our teams start pouring in… I wait for them, all of them. In the beginning, there is lots of excitement as the first teams arrive, with lots of supporters. Then the night becomes lonely and I stand mostly alone with one brave volunteer who is standing half asleep with me. Standing under the stars with a blanket wrapped around my body looking into the silence of the night. How beautiful is this?
I can hear the strokes of the blades as a team is nearing the finish line and then I can see them … Hopefully I am standing with the right country’s flag in hand, music pumping in the background and it is tears of achievement, of greatness, of proudness and just LOVE. Love for people and love for the incredible sport that pushes every person further than the body can do… it pushes your mind and shapes you as a person. It makes you think about yourself, your life, and the things that are really important in life.
I look at every person and I see their pain and smiles, I see, for that few minutes, emotions which not a lot of people have ever seen. I see and understand what they feel and I can see the “change” … it is a pure raw emotion and my privilege to share those first moments.
It is a humbling experience to know that we created an event/experience and that I know will be part of someone’s life forever. We create memories. What is life without memories?
I knew we had to get away after this magnificent event…
Time heals most things. Only time and as our event was on the one hand a massive success and we had massive reach and ratings, it was sadly overshadowed by things we had to address that were out of our control. We had to enforce penalties, upset friends and handle conflict which I Hate!! You can only learn from it. In the end, you still walk away with an empty soul. I was instead of celebrating sad. So sad, emotionally drained and tired.
Our event touched lives. We got so many emails afterwards from volunteers, participants and marshals who told us how expedition had changed their lives and enriched their soul.
I came to the conclusion after some “time out”…. I have put a year of love into this event and my heart walked out empty. Nevertheless, I have a lifetime of memories, memories that nobody can take away from me. Memories filled with time with my children on the beach, kayaking with Stephan on the rivers and hiking along the most beautiful coastline ever. Memories of challenges to get approvals and then amazing memories of discussing our Community Project where we made the Mosaic Landmark and donated the money to the Masithandane Bursary Fund. I gave an afternoon to the young girls at the Kranskop community showing them the finer things in life and helped to build their confidence. We raised money for children who do not have food or transport to go to school. Nobody can take any of those memories away from me. I gave it my all.
A mom who is a friend of mine on Facebook (our children used to be in the same school), came to me and said: “Wow I saw your event and had a look into it and now I see why you are always so busy….”
“It must be so amazing to be the creator of something so special and amazing!” she said.
I closed my eyes ... it hit me… Thank you! Thank you God! Thank you for putting me in a position where I can create something where people can go and “explore”, find themselves, push themselves and feel FREE!! Her words are humbling; sometimes a few words like this from a stranger can change your whole perspective of how you look at things.
I started reading the race reports, and it was a healing process for me. We went away, I switched my phone off, laptop off, I started dancing again, laughing, and running in the rain… I found my “Mojo” again… I looked at my husband with a heart full of admiration and love! I am so proud of him and the man he is and that we can share this love together.
I look back and only see the beautiful things… we made special friends and had the most amazing crew around us who worked their asses off to get the best images, video moments, transport boxes/boats etc. They worked through the day and night not for money but – for us Heidi and Stephan Muller. No money will ever be enough to pay them. They do it from the heart and that is what Expedition Africa is all about. It is more than only a race… its Love!
To every person who was part of the event it does not matter how big or small, you gave in time and in love, we do see it and we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!! Thank you for giving your time and for working so hard at an event where most of you hardly know me and Stephan. Thank you for sharing our love and for the sacrifices you have made for Expedition Africa!! May this event be in your life and heart for all the years to come and hope to see you again at the Start of Expedition Africa 2017? I extend this Thank you to every sponsor, venue and institution who were involved and supported us. Thank you for believing in us and making our event just better and better!! Lastly the thank you to our family who is our greatest supporters in love and time where our whole family was there this year to come and help us. Isn't that just so amazing to have this support system!! I am truly the luckiest girl!!
Yes, soon we will announce the Host venue for 2017. If we inspired you this year, book your dates for 12 May – 21 May 2017 and we will meet again! I am excited as my heart is filled with love and energy. To go out and to put together another World Class event that will give you memories for Life!
I am in the business where I give love unconditionally, I will always believe in love and I will always organise our business with love #itsallaboutlove “loving life with abundance”
Otherwise, we waste each other’s time…
As nothing else matters to me…
(I tried to get a photo of most of the people who were involved this year but could not get from all, but just know that I love all of you. See more pictures in the "confessions from the heart" photo album)
until we meet again..
I want to get Married
Again
Same husband, same venue, same dress…
The Oakfield Bridal Wedding expo brings back so many memories. Memories of years where I was the model walking on the stage to my own Wedding day.
After so many years of being involved with this event I still admire the beautiful stalls, the dresses, the décor and the amazing things they have to offer these days when you get married.
The Oakfield wedding venue is just beautiful, charming and romantic. The gardens and flowers make you think that you can be one of those brides you see in the wedding brochures. You will forget for the day that you are actually in Johannesburg, and not somewhere in the European country side running over the green pastures. I feel at home here. I feel love here.
But this year’s expo won’t just be memorable for the beautiful weekend but that my little princess, Isabella had the opportunity to walk with other little friends on the stage as a model. I had mixed feelings about this as you never know what children is going to do on stage. She can either run down, or get “stage fright” or worse scenario start to cry… as I am calling the show Front stage I had to leave her backstage and I said she must just walk with any other little girl as long as they take her hand and off I went..
Must admit my heart had emotions of overflowing love, and I was just staring at this little person and cannot believe that its my baby walking on the stage… needless to say she is telling everyone on a daily basis she is doing fashion shows…as it’s a “sport”
I was 23 or 24 years old when I put on my first wedding dress and walked on this stage. It was the start of a few years of wedding shows after wedding shows. I was fortunate to try on every sort of wedding dress, style, and colour from so many different designers. The day when it was my turn for my real wedding dress, it just didn’t really matter. I loved so many different dresses and felt like a princess in mostly all of them. The day when designer, Simon Rademan, said to me to come for a fitting and just see what works, I just went with the flow. He went the extra mile and even offered to make my “Husband to be” a longer Jacket with a cravat. It was the middle of the winter but I was floating down the aisle with a summers dress, “princess style”, head in the clouds, as happy and in Love as it should be.
I am so fortunate that I can sit here tonight after 15 years and wish that I could do that day again. Just the way it was. I wouldn’t want to change a thing. Most importantly, still staring into my husband’s blue eyes and saying “I do”.
#itsallaboutlove was only formed in my heart a few years ago, as I increasingly felt that this is the way I want to start my day and that must be the way I finish my day ,then I will be living my Calling. It shouldn’t be for money, fame, recognition or anything else, life should be about touching every person with love and the rest will sort itself out.
I love being part of the Bridal Expo’s Fashion shows, not on the stage anymore, but behind the scenes organising it. I believe in love and love all things beautiful. I love all my models who became my friends over the years. All of us have a story to tell and share something together. We became princesses for that moment we on the stage, and it’s our job to make each dress look like “the one” for at least 1 person in the audience.
Great things to look forward to, as my big girl, Shauni, is getting married in December this year and this will surely make for a few more stories to write as we walk with our princess to her own “head in the clouds” day.
Another weekend and off to another Bridal Expo’s – Expo4Brides in Pretoria
Sadly without my children and as we don’t have any “brides maids” dresses, Isabella can’t do her Fashion shows this weekend.
Always remember #itsallaboutlove
See below a few photo's of the Show and my most beautiful Wedding day..