NO TURNING BACK

APRIL 1
300 km, Oslo - Gothenburg

The coastline from Oslo to Gothenburg is a rugged treacherous route. Thousands of islands dot the coastline and during the summer, quaint little fishing villages and bustling, boating lifestyle keep the summer months alive. I will tent and sleep wherever I can and will fish and gather mussel shells for food.  I am looking so much to meet the first "silent hero" in gothenburg and get the "piece prize" underway. I am so excited. 

DENMARK IN SIGHT

APRIL 11
250 KM, GOTHENBURG - copenhagen

From Norway to Sweden and then onto Denmark, The  PIECE PRIZE will partner with Copenhagen's International school. With an exciting "peace attack" planned for the city, these students are going to hit the streets with kindness.

THE LONGEST ROUTE

550 KM, COPENHAGEN - BREMER

The longest leg from the tour from Oslo to Paris, the LOCAL HEROES TOUR brings me to Bremerhaven and then Bremen. In 1925 my grandparents boarded a Transatlantic ship and emigrated to Canada. They started a new life in a new land with nine children at their side. I want to visit the museum and find the exact day they left.

WOODEN SHOES & WINDMILLS

360 KM, bremerhaven - amsterdam

When contacting a kayak club in the Netherlands, I got a hold of Jeroen, a dutchman who planned an inland route for me, including some information on where to camp along the way.  I want to visit the Amsterdam's World Peace Museum. it presents a unique approach to peace – it is political, points to dangers of nationalism and isolationism, explains the causes of war and violence of all kind and focuses on the peace-making moments in Europe's history.

EUROPEAN UNION

205 KM, AMSTERDAM - Brussels

Brussels holds a special place in the heart of Europe. In November 2011, Brussels signed its declaration of peace, to encourage projects and actions that are aimed at promoting peace in its most universal meaning, based on the significance of each individual person. I want to learn from this city and its peace culture.

THE EIFFEL TOWER

May 30
500 KM, BRUSSELs - PARIS

Through miles and miles of canals and beautiful countryside, this journey is interior bound. Paris is one of those cities on most people's "to visit" list and quite rightly so. It's not really a question of why visit Paris, rather why would you not.
The Piece Prize will stop and meet people who care about those who are isolated in Paris.

Paddling the Champagne District

August 4
970 KM, CHAUMONT - Nice, France

This part of the journey will take me through over 75 boat locks and down the great rivers of the Saône and the Rhone. Battles have been fought along these routes. For me, I will tent alongside the river banks and slowly make my way to the Mediterranean Sea. Then, I will kayak along the France coastline up to Nice and then into Italy.

Entering Italy

September 5
184 KM, NICE - Genoa, Italy

Italy is a main route for many people fleeing from a crisis and looking for a better life. It is feeling the heat as the EU shuts its doors for migrants. I will be passing the city of Ventimiglia, which has become the new frontier of a humanitarian crisis.

THE MiGHTY RIVER PO: CAN I MANAGE ITS POWER?

September 13
460 KM, Genoa - VENICE, Italy

The PO is a famous river that has been the subject of criticism for massive pollution by Italian industry. It flows at 4.5 km per hour when low. It will bring me to Venice, where the streets are canals and houses seem to float. 

Challenges and Currents in the Adriatic Sea

September 13
328 KM, VENICe - Rijeka, Croatia

The Adriatic coastline is said to be ferocious when the North-east winds come rumbling off the mountains. Some say that it is best to paddle on the west side of the islands. This sounds like a good idea. Croatia has a rather troubled past. Not too long ago, war hit the country and now it is once again reorganising itself to be a country of true traditions: peaceful and hospitable people

WILL THE CROATIAN COASTLINE BE NICE TO ME?

September 26
550 KM, Rijeka - Budva, Montenegro

This is undoubtedly a long, long paddle on a beautiful coastline. Here, I will paddle by famous beaches and cities like Zadar, Trogir, Split and Dubronvik. Each place has a history. With the autumn coming on strong, I hope to see some sunny days and good weather.