DESCRIBING Glenwood resident, Sharon Jordan as young at heart would not do her justice. At the age of 60, Sharon has a zest for life and thirst for adventure that good television series are made off. In fact, parts of Sharon’s life have made it to the silver screen.
Sharon was a finalist in a reality TV series, The Couch Trip a few years ago. Not stopping there, movies were made about her discovery of a missing person on a deserted island and the subsequent major court cases that followed.
Sharon’s adventures started when she and her husband decided to build a 32 foot sailing boat and travel the world. “We knew nothing about sailing but bought a few good books, applied what we read and learnt along the way,” she said, adding, “back then there were no fancy navigation systems and technology, so we relied on a compass and the stars.”
The couple set off with a little savings and hit Hawaii 26 days later. They spent seven years on the boat, docking at deserted, remote islands where they lived for about six months at a time. “We lived off the land. We ate crabs, fish, coconuts, bird’s eggs, whatever we could find. We didn’t need much money. When we did need money, we traded our clothing,” she said, smiling as she recalled those early years.
Off all the places she visited, Sharon’s favourite is Palmyra island. “It is a special place. No one lived there, it was beautiful, there were thousands of birds and these monster turtles,” she said..
While pursuing the life of a traveller, Sharon had two children, her daughter was born in Australian and her son in Brazil.
Unfortunately, Sharon’s son was sea sick which forced her to give up her lifestyle on the sea and move back to Durban. “I never adjusted to life back on land and the trappings of suburbia,” she admits ruefully.
As her children grew older and became independent, thoughts of travel and adventure began to fill Sharon’s mind once again. Not having lots of money forced Sharon to think creatively about doing the things she dreamed about doing.
“I was introduced to the wonderful hiking lifestyle when I joined the Mountain Backpackers Club,” she said. Soon Sharon was doing week long trails and after the chairman of the club asked Sharon to be a hike leader, she completed a tour guide course. “This was my cue to do exactly what I wanted,” she said.
Since then Sharon has ridden a motor bike solo to Namibia. She has crossed oceans several times in a dhow and recalls scooping buckets of water out of the boat when it rained and drifting through the sea in the pitch black of night, with nothing but darkness surrounding her. Sharon took part in the Vasco Da Gama Ocean race, and upon discovering social crewing, sailed to a number of places including Thailand, Malaysia and Mexico as part of the crew.
“I’ve had the most fabulous holidays, travelling broadens your horizons. People who don’t travel are nervous about what’s out there. I feel at home wherever I am.”
Sharon never hops on a plane, checks into a hotel and then boards a plane to return home after the holiday. “I am not a tourist. I am an explorer, an adventurer, I love visiting places that are totally off the beaten track,” explains Sharon. Preferring to stay in backpackers hostels, Sharon explains that it is in these dormitory accommodations that she has met other people to go travelling with.
“I still do crazy stuff and if I can, others can too,” she said.
Sharon has written a book entitled One Women’s Journey in which she shares her experiences and adventures. To get your copy email wildcoast.s@gmail.com
