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St Lucia is an almost hidden coastal town in South Africa. A town where hippos are daily pedestrians, cigarette-stealing monkeys are a reality and some locals even have leopards creepin’ onto their front porches. I am sitting on the balcony of my room, looking at the lagoon, all fidgety about this afternoon… For weeks now I have been nervous about this day. “Would you go on a kayak-trip in a lagoon full of hippo’s; crocodiles and sharks?” I asked. “No!” Is the generical answer from all of my friends (and one of them is a full-time game ranger.) Hippos are the most dangerous animal in Africa and the internet is full of horror stories on crocodiles who made humans disappeared in seconds. I do have a little bit of consolation because apparently people are more likely to die of a coconut falling on your head than to be killed by a shark. The outcome of all my research is the 'proof of payment' in front of me on the table. The trip is booked. “Good afternoon, I am your guide and my name is Justin. Any questions before we start?” “How many accidents have been recorded on your tours?” one of my friends asked. “Only one.” Justin is kind of nonchalant about it. “But it was the guy’s own mistake, he didn’t listen to the guide and then he lost an arm.” Wow. Silence… I share a kayak with Justin the guide, small-talking my way out of the nervousness. Plover birds are calling and small waves crash against us. Automatically my arms are getting in action and I get lost in a moment of which I know: it will always be a fond memory.