Fourth Update From Paul - 880 km done

Hello everyone,

This Aroka Project update is sent to you from Ross, one of the many small villages nestled between the glaciated peaks of the Southern Alps and the rough waters of the Tasman Sea. It is quite a feeling to be standing on the beach looking at snowcapped mountains just a few kms away. Ross marks the end of the "roadside" section of the walk: over the last week I have walked 330 km along a scenic road that took me down to the ocean, through rainforests, past Mount Cook and across vast stretches of farmland.

On a typical day, I would get up at 4 and start walking by 5, before the sandflies wake up, the Sun gets too hot and the traffic becomes heavy. I would then walk until mid-day and take an extended lunch break. At around 2, I would start moving again, usually stopping some time between 5 and 7, whenever I would reach one of the villages (it is quite hard to find a campsite in between settlements as the forest is very dense).

I am now heading back inland for another crossing of the mountains. Therefore it is back to sleeping in remote huts and crossing alpine passes and numerous rivers. I am excited to head for the hills again after some monotonous hours spent alongside the road. In a few days, I should reach the village of Arthur's Pass, and at that point 2/3 of the walk will already be behind me. Even more encouraging is the fact that the beautiful weather doesn't seem to want to end.



Back to the tracks I go! Thank you for your interest in the cause and the project.

Paul

Photos from top to bottom:

1-Road near Fox Glacier

2-Paul at Ship Creek in front of the Tasman Sea

3-Sunrise near Lake Matheson

4-Monro Beach, Westland

More Photos from New Zealand

(From left to right, top to bottom: Paul overlooking Cascade Saddle with Mount Aspiring in distance, Paul in front of the Dart Glacier, Matukituki River (Mount Aspiring Park), Siberia Stream and Mount Awful, Paul's boots in front of Siberia Hut, Wilkin River (Mount Aspiring Park), Mount Awful- the "Matterhorn" of New Zealand. Click on photos to enlarge them.)

TANZANIA: Rising prevalence in Zanzibar needs new approach

Please see entry below this article for a recent update on Paul's progress. But first, please read this:

STONE TOWN, ZANZIBAR, 13 February (PLUSNEWS) - HIV prevalence on the semi-autonomous Tanzanian island of Zanzibar is on the rise, prompting officials to call for a more targeted response to HIV/AIDS.

According to government estimates, HIV figures have increased from 0.6 percent in 2002 to 0.9 percent in 2006. "This is a shocking figure in such a small population. Unfortunately, the most affected group is youths aged between 20 and 49 years," chief minister Shamsi Nahodha said at the recent launch of the first AIDS awareness campaign to target young people. HIV levels are significantly lower than the 7 percent infection rate on the mainland, but there are concerns that not enough is being done to address AIDS on the island. Asha Abdallah, director of the Zanzibar AIDS Commission, told PlusNews the new statistics were based on antenatal records, and the commission would be conducting a study later in the year to determine HIV prevalence in the general population.

Read more about it by clicking here.

He is Motoring!

Paul has covered some serious ground since leaving Makarora! In just two days he covered 153 km on foot, which now brings him to Karangarua and quite close to the half-way mark of his journey. Please help us to mark this incredible achievement and spread the word (perhaps send the website link to a friend) or offer a donation.

Awareness and fundraising is ultimately what The Aroka Project is all about as thousands of people in Africa became infected with HIV today. Please see The Stephen Lewis Foundation website for more information about the AIDS pandemic in Africa.

(Please click on the image to enlarge it - Paul's location is indicated by the black dot headed North).