Living the Best Day Ever by Hendri Coetzee
How can so much adventure be packed into a single person? A legend. Gone too soon. In Living the Best Day Ever, Hendri Coetzee, an intrepid explorer and kayaker, shares his motivation for seeking out the untamed wilderness and the profound lessons he learned amidst its challenges. Those challenges? Hendri walked 2000km alone and unsupported down the east coast of Africa and completed some of the most demanding and dangerous solo kayaking expeditions ever. He was widely considered as one of the best big water paddlers in the world and the most experienced African river explorer of his generation. He became the first man to lead, navigate and travel the entire length of world's longest river, the White Nile in 2004. This was also recognized in the Guinness Book of Records in 2013.
Central to Coetzee's narrative is the theme of living in the present moment, embracing each day as an opportunity for growth and adventure. I especially appreciate the way he underscores the deep sense of connection and unity he experienced with nature, highlighting the importance of preserving the environment and finding joy in the interconnectedness of all living things. While Hendri is no longer with us, what he shared in this book should still inspire generations to come.