And just like that, the journey is over.
For days, our lives have revolved around the sea: the boards, the boats, the weather, the next stretch of coastline and the people beside us. Today, instead of preparing to paddle again, we began packing everything away.
Packing up the journey
There is something strange about seeing the equipment packed away after it has been such a central part of every day. The boards that carried us across the water, the bags, the gear and everything that became part of our routine are suddenly being loaded for the trip home.
It is a simple moment, but it makes the ending feel real. What took months to plan and days to live can suddenly be reduced to a stack of equipment ready for transport.
One last time together
Before everyone begins heading home, we had one last chance to simply be together. After everything we had shared on the water, those moments felt especially meaningful.
Over the course of this journey, we became much more than a group of people following the same route. We became a team. We helped each other on and off the water, laughed together, struggled together and celebrated every stage together.
A final day in Athens
Our final day also gave us a chance to experience Athens together. After days of looking at Greece from the water, it felt fitting to finish by sharing a little more of the country that had welcomed us so warmly throughout this expedition.
These final hours were not about distance or speed. They were about being together one more time before everyone begins the journey home.
What stays with me
When I think back on this week, I will remember the sea and the islands, the early starts and long days, the beautiful conditions and the harder moments.
But more than anything, I will remember the people.
I will remember the paddlers beside me, the people on the support boats, the communities that welcomed us, and everyone in Greece and abroad who followed this journey and supported its purpose.
We started this journey because of ALS. That is also why the journey does not really end here.
The paddling may be finished, but the reason behind every mile remains: to raise awareness, to support the ALS community and to stand with the families whose lives are changed by this disease.
Thank you
To everyone who paddled, helped, organised, welcomed, donated, shared our story or simply followed along: thank you.
And to this incredible team: I could not have asked for better people to share this journey with.
One Journey. Two Countries. Together for ALS.
The journey may be over. The mission is not.
