Jeannette cycles to Eswatini from Canada
MBABANE – Talk about a remarkable journey.
Jeannette Gagne, a 65-yearold mother of three, from Quebec, Canada, has accomplished an extraordinary and unbelievable journey, by cycling all the way from Canada to Eswatini. This remarkable feat took the intrepid adventurer eight years to complete as she made her way to the small kingdom. Gagne, who affectionately refers to her bicycle as Minou, considers it her faithful companion throughout this arduous journey. She embarked on her incredible adventure in 2016 and finally arrived in Eswatini last Saturday via the Matsamo Border Gate.
Tiring
“It has been a long and tiring journey for me to reach Eswatini after leaving Canada in 2016. I began my adventure in Morocco and cycled along the entire southern coast of Africa, eventually reaching Cape Town. From there, I took some rest days before continuing my journey from Agulhas to Lesotho and then the Kruger National Park, ultimately arriving at the border gate in Matsamo. Unfortunately, the narrow roads in Eswatini made it difficult for me to ride alongside other vehicles, so I stopped at a filling station to ask for assistance in getting to Mbabane. Thankfully, the owner of the station kindly offered me a lift in his small truck, helping me reach Mbabane where I’m staying safely,” she said.
The adventurous mother of three, who typically stays in budget-friendly guesthouses during her travels, disclosed that she planned to depart Eswatini either tomorrow or on Thursday. Her next destination is Mozambique, which she intends to reach by crossing the Lomahasha Border Gate.
“Eswatini has been a wonderful country to visit, and the reason I embarked on this journey is to demonstrate that age should never be a barrier to achieving one’s dreams. My adventure began after meeting a woman at the Beret Backpackers Hostel in Malaysia, where we discussed her bicycle trip around Asia. Inspired by her story, I realised that I could undertake a similar adventure, despite the potential challenges.
Dangerous
“Throughout my journey, I have experienced varying levels of safety. Unfortunately, South Africa proved to be one of the most dangerous places I have travelled through, while South Korea and Taiwan stood out as exceptionally safe countries, both for individuals and cyclists on the road,” she shared.
The unsung hero, who travels the globe on her Trek 920 2015 bike, has visited 68 countries before arriving in Eswatini. She urges the people of Eswatini to prioritise their health by staying physically active and exercising regularly. Furthermore, she commends the country for its progress and encourages continued efforts to make Eswatini a must-visit destination in Africa.
“I plan to return to Canada this May, but before doing so, I intend to continue my journey by visiting Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, and Tanzania. To make my way back home, I will be taking a flight after exploring these additional countries,” she added.