Friday, 28 August 2009
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Photos from Kibbuse Vocational School
Hello
I have now returned safely to Warwick after 15hrs of flights. I've begun sorting through all the photos I've taken and will post the best ones here as I go.
Enjoy
Friday, 21 August 2009
Kenya
Hi,
I've almost finished my travels around East Africa now. The tour finished yesterday. Terry and I are now killing time in Nairobi until our flight tomorrow evening. As in the time honoured tradition I'll give a day by day account below.
15th - 16th August
After posting last time we went for a wander around Jinja and had lunch in a cafe. The heavens then opened and we got a boda-boda in the torrential rain was a slightly scary experience. Two people riding pinion on a motorbike in the rain on crap roads is probably not the safest thing we've ever done! Quad biking in the afternoon was good fun, I've never really been on a full size quad before so it was all new to me. I'm pleased that I took Kit's advice and told them I had been on before as they gave me a much more powerful quad. IT was a good way to see the countryside and all the villages, but our guide wouldn't allow us to properly open up the throttle and go as fast as we could. Despite this I still managed a few power slides through muddy corners. The odd thing about the trip was that it felt a little bit invasive on all the people who lived in the villages. It can't have been pleasant to have people driving through gawking at you. Still, everyone seemed friendly enough.
On Sunday we packed our things, said goodbye to Uganda and headed for the Kenyan border. In order to get to the bus stop (we were taking the public bus) we loaded all our bags into one taxi and then rode in a fleet of boda-bodas through the streets of Jinja. We must have looked quite a sight. Upon arrival at the bus stop, we discovered that there was not enough space on the coach for all our luggage, so Edmond decided that we should get on the coach and he would travel with all our bags on the next one. I have to say I wasn't entirely happy about leaving my bag behind, but TIA and there wasn't any other choice really.
The border crossing took about an hour, mostly spent queueing, so was fairly painless in all. From there it was another two hours to our first port of call in Kenya, Kisumu. Travelling through Kenya to Kisumu I noted a large degree of similarity between Kenya and Uganda, but some stark differences too. Kenya is clearly a much more wealthy country; more of the buildings are completed, more have two stories, there are many more paved roads and a lot more cars too. Plus assorted other differences that I don't have time to go into now.
We spent the afternoon wandering around the Kisumu market. Sunday is the most important market day of the week in the local area and the place was buzzing with activity. If you wanted to buy anything, chances are it could be found in Kisumu market. Unfortunately Edmond insisted we had a guide take us around the market, I would have preferred to wander myself, so we didn't have free reign as to where we could go.
17th August
Monday was spent pottering around Kisumu finding things to do. I have to say that there is not a lot! We went on a boat trip on Lake Victoria in the morning, which was interesting as we got to see lots of local fisherman out fishing in various traditional manners. We also visited a small fishing village to see the catch of the day (very smelly). Other than the boat trip we spent most of the day eating lunch in a restaurant, chilling on the hotel balcony and eating dinner in the same restaurant.
18th - 20th August
As was becoming the norm on the trip, we awoke early to begin travelling for the day, but ended up leaving an hour or so late anyway. We were met by our safari vehicles for the trip to the Masai Mara and began the long drive. It was again fascinating to look out the window and watch the scenery change from lush green tea plantations to almost arid desert to savannah. We arrived at our campsite in mid afternoon, having completed the last hour of our journey driving pretty much off road through the Masai bush. We spent the two nights in the Masai staying in semi-permanent tents, which is basically a tent with beds that has had a metal roof erected over the top!
We went on four game drives over during the time we were there. Two morning ones and two evening ones. There were so many animals of every description. Highlights include spending half an hour watching a pride of lions drink at a river and sit in the sun, seeing spectacular sunrises over the Masai savannah, having a pair of lionesses walk past a few feet from the car whilst returning from a nights hunting and seeing the courting and mating display of two ostriches was just hilarious. I'll write more later and post some photos.
On thursday we drove back out of the Masai Mara across huge plains with dust storms and into Nairobi. We spent the evening at the Carnivore restaurant, which as the name suggests serves a lot of meat, and said goodbye to everyone.
It seems like I've been saying goodbye a lot recently. I've met so many different people from all walks of life and from all over the world. I wish I didn't have to say farewell, but such is the nature of travelling I suppose. I also know that I have friends in various places around the globe who I can hook up with if I'm ever in town. Meeting all these people has reconfirmed the goodness of human nature in my mind, despite all the evil and nasty things and people in the world (who unfortunately make most of the news stories), the average person is good, decent and friendly.
Until next time,
Asante Sana for reading.
I've almost finished my travels around East Africa now. The tour finished yesterday. Terry and I are now killing time in Nairobi until our flight tomorrow evening. As in the time honoured tradition I'll give a day by day account below.
15th - 16th August
After posting last time we went for a wander around Jinja and had lunch in a cafe. The heavens then opened and we got a boda-boda in the torrential rain was a slightly scary experience. Two people riding pinion on a motorbike in the rain on crap roads is probably not the safest thing we've ever done! Quad biking in the afternoon was good fun, I've never really been on a full size quad before so it was all new to me. I'm pleased that I took Kit's advice and told them I had been on before as they gave me a much more powerful quad. IT was a good way to see the countryside and all the villages, but our guide wouldn't allow us to properly open up the throttle and go as fast as we could. Despite this I still managed a few power slides through muddy corners. The odd thing about the trip was that it felt a little bit invasive on all the people who lived in the villages. It can't have been pleasant to have people driving through gawking at you. Still, everyone seemed friendly enough.
On Sunday we packed our things, said goodbye to Uganda and headed for the Kenyan border. In order to get to the bus stop (we were taking the public bus) we loaded all our bags into one taxi and then rode in a fleet of boda-bodas through the streets of Jinja. We must have looked quite a sight. Upon arrival at the bus stop, we discovered that there was not enough space on the coach for all our luggage, so Edmond decided that we should get on the coach and he would travel with all our bags on the next one. I have to say I wasn't entirely happy about leaving my bag behind, but TIA and there wasn't any other choice really.
The border crossing took about an hour, mostly spent queueing, so was fairly painless in all. From there it was another two hours to our first port of call in Kenya, Kisumu. Travelling through Kenya to Kisumu I noted a large degree of similarity between Kenya and Uganda, but some stark differences too. Kenya is clearly a much more wealthy country; more of the buildings are completed, more have two stories, there are many more paved roads and a lot more cars too. Plus assorted other differences that I don't have time to go into now.
We spent the afternoon wandering around the Kisumu market. Sunday is the most important market day of the week in the local area and the place was buzzing with activity. If you wanted to buy anything, chances are it could be found in Kisumu market. Unfortunately Edmond insisted we had a guide take us around the market, I would have preferred to wander myself, so we didn't have free reign as to where we could go.
17th August
Monday was spent pottering around Kisumu finding things to do. I have to say that there is not a lot! We went on a boat trip on Lake Victoria in the morning, which was interesting as we got to see lots of local fisherman out fishing in various traditional manners. We also visited a small fishing village to see the catch of the day (very smelly). Other than the boat trip we spent most of the day eating lunch in a restaurant, chilling on the hotel balcony and eating dinner in the same restaurant.
18th - 20th August
As was becoming the norm on the trip, we awoke early to begin travelling for the day, but ended up leaving an hour or so late anyway. We were met by our safari vehicles for the trip to the Masai Mara and began the long drive. It was again fascinating to look out the window and watch the scenery change from lush green tea plantations to almost arid desert to savannah. We arrived at our campsite in mid afternoon, having completed the last hour of our journey driving pretty much off road through the Masai bush. We spent the two nights in the Masai staying in semi-permanent tents, which is basically a tent with beds that has had a metal roof erected over the top!
We went on four game drives over during the time we were there. Two morning ones and two evening ones. There were so many animals of every description. Highlights include spending half an hour watching a pride of lions drink at a river and sit in the sun, seeing spectacular sunrises over the Masai savannah, having a pair of lionesses walk past a few feet from the car whilst returning from a nights hunting and seeing the courting and mating display of two ostriches was just hilarious. I'll write more later and post some photos.
On thursday we drove back out of the Masai Mara across huge plains with dust storms and into Nairobi. We spent the evening at the Carnivore restaurant, which as the name suggests serves a lot of meat, and said goodbye to everyone.
It seems like I've been saying goodbye a lot recently. I've met so many different people from all walks of life and from all over the world. I wish I didn't have to say farewell, but such is the nature of travelling I suppose. I also know that I have friends in various places around the globe who I can hook up with if I'm ever in town. Meeting all these people has reconfirmed the goodness of human nature in my mind, despite all the evil and nasty things and people in the world (who unfortunately make most of the news stories), the average person is good, decent and friendly.
Until next time,
Asante Sana for reading.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
National Parks of Uganda
Hello Everyone,
I've now been in Uganda for nearly 4 weeks and am leaving to go to Kenya tomorrow. The last week has involved a lot of travelling, but it;s been worth it. I've seen loads of amazing animals and had even more cool experiences.
9th August
After a brief meeting on the evening of the 8th to meet our guide, Edmond, and all the other people on the trip (2 other Brits, 3 Canadians, 2 Germans, a Malaysian and a Singaporean) we left early on Sunday morning to drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We stopped briefly on the equator for photos and to observe the water spinning clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the southern hemisphere. I always believed that it would happen, I just didn't think it would completely reverse if you walked 10 metres away.
Most of the day was spent driving, so I didn't do much, but it was fascinating to see the surrounding vegetation and scenery change from trees and forests to lush green tree plantations to dry savannah. Upon arrival at QENP we were greeted by two elephants eating a tree by the side of the road. It was a cool welcome to the park. We got to our campsite about half 6 and put up our 2-man tents where we would spend the next two nights. A couple of warthogs also used the campsite as their home so we had to share with them.
10th August
I woke up at 5.40am! whilst still dark to go on an early morning game drive. I was very excited about seeing loads of animals. We went through the park on the big bus we had travelled in the previous day, which I thought was a little odd, as it didn't seem the most appropriate vehicle (more on this later). There were a number of explosion craters left from volcanic activity countless years ago which were very beautiful, some of which had been turned into salt pans. Otherwise the game drive was a little disappointing. We were out for nearly 5 hrs but only saw a handful of buffalo, a hynena and some more kob.
However before lunch we went on a nature walk around area surrounding the campsite. Our guide, Ben, knew everything about all the birds, plants, animals and we learnt so much about how the whole ecosystem works. In the late afternoon we went on the Kazinga channel boat trip. This was fantastic (I realise by this point I'm running out of superlatives for my trip). Within five minutes we'd seen more wildlife than the whole morning. An elephant had come down to the river to have a drink and was trumpeting at some buffaloes in his way. Lots of crocodiles, water buck, storks, pelicans, fish eagles, hippos, kingfishers and more. I took lots of photos. We recovered from the experience by sitting in the campsite bar overlooking the river.
11th August
A long day travelling to Murchinson Falls National Park. In total it took us 12.5 hrs! We're staying in bandas, which are small chalets. Nice to have a bed again. Hippos and warthogs running free throughout the site. Sat by the fire relaxing in the evening.
12th August
Awoke early again for another game drive. We had to catch a ferry across the Victoria Nile and saw an amazing sunrise over the river. The game drive was much better than at QENP, but still in the bus, and to prove it's stupidity it got stuck in the sand. With no 4x4 we had fun getting it out. We saw loads of giraffes, they were amazing (Mum & Dad:lots of Unklakles all over the place). Whilst waiting for the ferry back we saw some elephants drinking at the river and baboons sitting with the cars.
In the afternoon we went for a cruise on the River Nile up to Murchinson Falls. We had a small 20ft boat for the 11 of us. Again we saw loads of hippos, crocs and birds. Terry and I sat on top of the boat watching the world go by whilst drinking a Nile beer (the most popular brand in Uganda) on the Nile! Up at the falls themselves, it got a bit windy and our little boat got blown towards and grounded on Croc Island! The guide had to take his shoes off and wade in to push us out. The falls were very impressive, the whole 50 metre wide Nile forced through a 3 metre gap. On the way back to the start, we again sat on the roof enjoying the ride and the view.
13th August - 14th August
After a quick drive to the top of the falls, where we again saw the sheer force of the water and got wet in the mist, we drove to Jinja.
On friday we went white water rafting on the Nile. Did everything from grade 1 to grade 5 rapids. Can't really explain what it was like here other than it was mad, slightly crazy and one of the best things I've ever done. I'll find some links to videos on youtube when I'm home so you can see what it was like. The final rapid of the day was called The Bad Place, and all 3 boats yesterday capsized and we were flung into the pounding water. It really is very powerful and pushes you down hard. Without a life jacket it would be difficult to surface again. We had a bbq included in the price afterwards, which we ate overlooking the Bujagali Falls.
Think that's everything for now. Going Quad Biking this afternoon.
Until next time
I've now been in Uganda for nearly 4 weeks and am leaving to go to Kenya tomorrow. The last week has involved a lot of travelling, but it;s been worth it. I've seen loads of amazing animals and had even more cool experiences.
9th August
After a brief meeting on the evening of the 8th to meet our guide, Edmond, and all the other people on the trip (2 other Brits, 3 Canadians, 2 Germans, a Malaysian and a Singaporean) we left early on Sunday morning to drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We stopped briefly on the equator for photos and to observe the water spinning clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anti-clockwise in the southern hemisphere. I always believed that it would happen, I just didn't think it would completely reverse if you walked 10 metres away.
Most of the day was spent driving, so I didn't do much, but it was fascinating to see the surrounding vegetation and scenery change from trees and forests to lush green tree plantations to dry savannah. Upon arrival at QENP we were greeted by two elephants eating a tree by the side of the road. It was a cool welcome to the park. We got to our campsite about half 6 and put up our 2-man tents where we would spend the next two nights. A couple of warthogs also used the campsite as their home so we had to share with them.
10th August
I woke up at 5.40am! whilst still dark to go on an early morning game drive. I was very excited about seeing loads of animals. We went through the park on the big bus we had travelled in the previous day, which I thought was a little odd, as it didn't seem the most appropriate vehicle (more on this later). There were a number of explosion craters left from volcanic activity countless years ago which were very beautiful, some of which had been turned into salt pans. Otherwise the game drive was a little disappointing. We were out for nearly 5 hrs but only saw a handful of buffalo, a hynena and some more kob.
However before lunch we went on a nature walk around area surrounding the campsite. Our guide, Ben, knew everything about all the birds, plants, animals and we learnt so much about how the whole ecosystem works. In the late afternoon we went on the Kazinga channel boat trip. This was fantastic (I realise by this point I'm running out of superlatives for my trip). Within five minutes we'd seen more wildlife than the whole morning. An elephant had come down to the river to have a drink and was trumpeting at some buffaloes in his way. Lots of crocodiles, water buck, storks, pelicans, fish eagles, hippos, kingfishers and more. I took lots of photos. We recovered from the experience by sitting in the campsite bar overlooking the river.
11th August
A long day travelling to Murchinson Falls National Park. In total it took us 12.5 hrs! We're staying in bandas, which are small chalets. Nice to have a bed again. Hippos and warthogs running free throughout the site. Sat by the fire relaxing in the evening.
12th August
Awoke early again for another game drive. We had to catch a ferry across the Victoria Nile and saw an amazing sunrise over the river. The game drive was much better than at QENP, but still in the bus, and to prove it's stupidity it got stuck in the sand. With no 4x4 we had fun getting it out. We saw loads of giraffes, they were amazing (Mum & Dad:lots of Unklakles all over the place). Whilst waiting for the ferry back we saw some elephants drinking at the river and baboons sitting with the cars.
In the afternoon we went for a cruise on the River Nile up to Murchinson Falls. We had a small 20ft boat for the 11 of us. Again we saw loads of hippos, crocs and birds. Terry and I sat on top of the boat watching the world go by whilst drinking a Nile beer (the most popular brand in Uganda) on the Nile! Up at the falls themselves, it got a bit windy and our little boat got blown towards and grounded on Croc Island! The guide had to take his shoes off and wade in to push us out. The falls were very impressive, the whole 50 metre wide Nile forced through a 3 metre gap. On the way back to the start, we again sat on the roof enjoying the ride and the view.
13th August - 14th August
After a quick drive to the top of the falls, where we again saw the sheer force of the water and got wet in the mist, we drove to Jinja.
On friday we went white water rafting on the Nile. Did everything from grade 1 to grade 5 rapids. Can't really explain what it was like here other than it was mad, slightly crazy and one of the best things I've ever done. I'll find some links to videos on youtube when I'm home so you can see what it was like. The final rapid of the day was called The Bad Place, and all 3 boats yesterday capsized and we were flung into the pounding water. It really is very powerful and pushes you down hard. Without a life jacket it would be difficult to surface again. We had a bbq included in the price afterwards, which we ate overlooking the Bujagali Falls.
Think that's everything for now. Going Quad Biking this afternoon.
Until next time
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Water Well Drilling
Hello everyone,
I have now returned safely to Kampala. I'm sad that the first part of the trip is now over, I've met some great people, made some good friends and really enjoyed experiencing rural Ugandan life. However I'm excited about the next two weeks of safari and fun. The last few days is a time I'll never forget. Drilling a well to provide clean water for the people in a small village outside Hoima was a brilliant experience.
As my last post was so big, and it's only been 3 days since then, I'll try to keep it shorter.
5th August cont'd
After spending time at the internet cafe on Wednesday, we headed back to the hotel for a shower and to await the arrival of the Encounter Uganda team. When they arrived they were lead up the hotel drive and into the grounds by a huge brass marching band! We could hear them coming for about 5 minutes before they turned up. It was certainly a war, welcome for them all, and fun for us to watch. The rest of the afternoon was spent either in or by the pool, yes there was a swimming pool!!!, making new friends with the Americans.
6th - 7th August
Terry and I said our goodbye to Bob on Thursday morning as he left to return to Nyamawra. I was sad to see him go, I'll certainly miss him and his stories. The first part of the well drilling team was a little dull, as we travelled about town picking up all the equipment we needed. However, we finally arrived at the drill site at half ten and began setting up. There were two vehicles transporting us around, and fortunately I was in the lead vehicle, as those in the following one spent the entire journey in the dust thrown up by the first one. Consequently they all emerged covered in red dust from head to toe.
The drill and all the accompanying equipment took a long time to set up and is fairly complicated, so I won't try to describe it now. But it is a very cool piece of kit. I'm not entirely sure how the site to drill at is selected and without fancy equipment to scan underground to find rocks and things it's pretty much trial and error really. We finally began drilling at 2pm on Thursday and quickly managed to drill down to 45ft (Imperial measurements used since the equipment and all the team except Terry and I were from the US)in an hour. We then hit a huge rock leyer, spent 2hrs drilling just 5inches into it before giving up. We left it there for the day and such was my introduction to the frustrations of drilling for water.
Returning early the next morning we disassembled the entire rig, loaded it back onto the lorry and moved 100 yards further away. This time it took a lot less time to set up as we all knew what was going on. Again, we quickly drilled down to 25ft, before hitting another (potentially the same) rock layer. So for a second time we disassembled and packed up the kit, moved another 100 yards and tried again. By now, we were like a well oiled machine and the whole disassembly and reassembly took less than 90mins. On the third attempt we easily made 45ft and then hit, you guessed it, another rock layer. However, this time there seemed to be a layer of water sitting on top of it which was what we were seeking.
For all of Thursday and most of Friday, we were out in the boiling heat, with little shade and drinking litres of water each to keep hydrated. But halfway through Friday afternoon the heavens opened. We had prayed for water and we got it. Within minutes, the 100 or so children who had come to watch had vanished and we were soaked. Luckily someone invited us into their home to keep dry for the next hour of rain and thunder. We had contemplated continuing and getting wet, but standing under a 3 metre metal rig in the middle of a field during a lighting storm seemed a bad idea. By the time the rain had stopped, there was not much time left to investigate the potential water source. Thus I still don't know if we were successful.
The well drilling experience, despite being very hard work, frustrating and at times dull, was brilliant. It was great to be able to attempt to help so many people get clean water. Incidentally, the stuff they were drinking looked like it had come out of the sewer. Everyone on the team was a great laugh and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Although only with these people for three days, I felt I have got to know them well and was sad to leave this morning, and in some ways would have liked to continue working with them.
Last night was spent chatting with our new friends and I'm feeling tired today after a late night and early morning, but I may never see these people again so I figured it was worth it.
8th August
Not much has happened today. We left Hoima with the Rev James at 8am for the 3hr drive to Kampala. We checked into our hotel then went to the big shopping centre, cinema, restaurant complex called Garden City to find internet and food. However, upon walking in we bumped into Mandy and Spencer!!! Such a coincidence. Was good to see them again and we had lunch together. Now I'm sitting in the internet cafe in Garden City. Will go to the supermarket downstairs next to get some snacks for the travelling of the next few days and go back to the hotel to meet up with the tour this evening. I expect we'll be leaving early tomorrow.
Until next time,
I have now returned safely to Kampala. I'm sad that the first part of the trip is now over, I've met some great people, made some good friends and really enjoyed experiencing rural Ugandan life. However I'm excited about the next two weeks of safari and fun. The last few days is a time I'll never forget. Drilling a well to provide clean water for the people in a small village outside Hoima was a brilliant experience.
As my last post was so big, and it's only been 3 days since then, I'll try to keep it shorter.
5th August cont'd
After spending time at the internet cafe on Wednesday, we headed back to the hotel for a shower and to await the arrival of the Encounter Uganda team. When they arrived they were lead up the hotel drive and into the grounds by a huge brass marching band! We could hear them coming for about 5 minutes before they turned up. It was certainly a war, welcome for them all, and fun for us to watch. The rest of the afternoon was spent either in or by the pool, yes there was a swimming pool!!!, making new friends with the Americans.
6th - 7th August
Terry and I said our goodbye to Bob on Thursday morning as he left to return to Nyamawra. I was sad to see him go, I'll certainly miss him and his stories. The first part of the well drilling team was a little dull, as we travelled about town picking up all the equipment we needed. However, we finally arrived at the drill site at half ten and began setting up. There were two vehicles transporting us around, and fortunately I was in the lead vehicle, as those in the following one spent the entire journey in the dust thrown up by the first one. Consequently they all emerged covered in red dust from head to toe.
The drill and all the accompanying equipment took a long time to set up and is fairly complicated, so I won't try to describe it now. But it is a very cool piece of kit. I'm not entirely sure how the site to drill at is selected and without fancy equipment to scan underground to find rocks and things it's pretty much trial and error really. We finally began drilling at 2pm on Thursday and quickly managed to drill down to 45ft (Imperial measurements used since the equipment and all the team except Terry and I were from the US)in an hour. We then hit a huge rock leyer, spent 2hrs drilling just 5inches into it before giving up. We left it there for the day and such was my introduction to the frustrations of drilling for water.
Returning early the next morning we disassembled the entire rig, loaded it back onto the lorry and moved 100 yards further away. This time it took a lot less time to set up as we all knew what was going on. Again, we quickly drilled down to 25ft, before hitting another (potentially the same) rock layer. So for a second time we disassembled and packed up the kit, moved another 100 yards and tried again. By now, we were like a well oiled machine and the whole disassembly and reassembly took less than 90mins. On the third attempt we easily made 45ft and then hit, you guessed it, another rock layer. However, this time there seemed to be a layer of water sitting on top of it which was what we were seeking.
For all of Thursday and most of Friday, we were out in the boiling heat, with little shade and drinking litres of water each to keep hydrated. But halfway through Friday afternoon the heavens opened. We had prayed for water and we got it. Within minutes, the 100 or so children who had come to watch had vanished and we were soaked. Luckily someone invited us into their home to keep dry for the next hour of rain and thunder. We had contemplated continuing and getting wet, but standing under a 3 metre metal rig in the middle of a field during a lighting storm seemed a bad idea. By the time the rain had stopped, there was not much time left to investigate the potential water source. Thus I still don't know if we were successful.
The well drilling experience, despite being very hard work, frustrating and at times dull, was brilliant. It was great to be able to attempt to help so many people get clean water. Incidentally, the stuff they were drinking looked like it had come out of the sewer. Everyone on the team was a great laugh and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Although only with these people for three days, I felt I have got to know them well and was sad to leave this morning, and in some ways would have liked to continue working with them.
Last night was spent chatting with our new friends and I'm feeling tired today after a late night and early morning, but I may never see these people again so I figured it was worth it.
8th August
Not much has happened today. We left Hoima with the Rev James at 8am for the 3hr drive to Kampala. We checked into our hotel then went to the big shopping centre, cinema, restaurant complex called Garden City to find internet and food. However, upon walking in we bumped into Mandy and Spencer!!! Such a coincidence. Was good to see them again and we had lunch together. Now I'm sitting in the internet cafe in Garden City. Will go to the supermarket downstairs next to get some snacks for the travelling of the next few days and go back to the hotel to meet up with the tour this evening. I expect we'll be leaving early tomorrow.
Until next time,
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
2nd Week at Nyamawra
Hello again
Another week has passed and I've been very busy and having fun. I have now left the Kibbuse Vocational School at Nyamawra and am in a large town called Hoima. It has electricity and tarmac on the roads! The first tarmac roads I've seen in 2 weeks. Once again I'll try to give you a day by day account of my adventures.
29th - 29th July
After posting here last tuesday we spent the rest of the day in Karaguza shopping for things the school needed. This takes a surprisingly long time, as life is so laid back and at a slow pace. Combined with Bob and Rev James seeming to know everyone in Uganda and chatting lots it took the whole day to get everything done. On the way back to the school we came across a large pile of earth in the middle of the road, which had clearly been left there to fill in the pot holes. However they had decided to call it quits for the day and come back tomorrow, so we had to find another way home.
Wednesday was spent doing more digging for the playground. The students all had exams so it was just Terry and I. We had to take lots of short breaks as it was so hot, and we caused quite a stir as the local people aren't used to seeing mzungu (white man) at all, let alone working hard in the fields like them. About 20 primary school children came to watch us for half an hour, and even offered to help for a bit. It was slightly disheartening to think that a 7 yr old is almost as good at shifting earth as me. I kept thinking of my brother Rhodri and imagining him with a hoe helping us out.
30th - 31st July
Thursday and Friday were spent filing and painting all the metal brackets we had been making previously. There were nearly 400 of them and we had to put two coats on each. Needless to say it got a little dull towards the end.
On Thursday we had an earthquake!!! I've never experienced one before. At first I thought someone had driven a truck into the far end of our building. Fortunately it was only a little one, but it was cool to experience.
1st August
Today we had American pancakes for breakfast with lots of maple syrup. They were very tasty. I didn't really do much in the morning other than some laundry, which again was highly amusing to Sarah. (Not sure if I mentioned her before, she is Bob and Brenda's cook and housekeeper) In the afternoon Terry and I climbed a big hill behind the village with two of the students. Brilliant views and got some good photos. Bob thought it would take at least 2hrs to get to the top, but it took only 40mins. People here don't really understand doing things just for the sake of it, like climbing a hill to see the view, so our actions often puzzle them. If there is no practical benefit to doing something then they don't do it.
In the evening we drove to another town nearby, Kakumiro, to pick up the Rev James and to buy some timber. This involve strapping 10 or so 5metre planks of wood to the back of the Hilux (this one is nearly 20 yrs old and is indestructible as proved by Top Gear) with as much rope as we could get our hands on. This practically double the height of the truck and would have been highly illegal in the UK, but TIA (This Is Africa)
2nd August
More pancakes for breakfast on Sunday, this time Terry and I helped out, so we are no experts in American pancake making. After church and lunch we left Kibbuse for good, we had intended to stay until next Saturday, but opportunities presented themselves to experience things elsewhere. More on this later. I was sad to leave as I had felt comfortable and happy at the school, but was excited about moving on too.
After a 3hr drive we arrived at Kiziranfumbi, where we were to stay for the next 3 nights. The hotel was basic; a double bed, a locking door and a light. Shared 'toilet' aka 'hole in the ground' and a barrel of clean water for washing. Still it only cost 8000 shillings a night (about 2 pound 50, thee keyboards don't have a pound sign!) We ate dinner in a tiny little restaurant with only one room and had meat and rice.
3rd - 4th August
Had chipati wrapped around an omlette for breakfast, which I bought from a roadside vendor. he cooked it on a metal plate heated by a fire in an old car wheel. Nothing is thrown away here. After a short drive to Wambabya, we arrived at a coffee farm. We were here to install all the metal brackets we had been making on some coffee bean drying racks. They were at risk of falling apart, so were going to reinforce them. I should add that the students at the school had made these the year before in partnership with the coffee farm. We returned to Kiziranfumbi for lunch of goat meat, rice and matoke. Overall we completed 17 of the 25 racks on Monday after using 340 screws. I can tell you that your whole arm begins to ache by this point.
After a good night's sleep, we returned early the next morning and had finished by 11am. This gave us some free time we had not anticipated, which we made the most of with a visit to Lake Albert with the coffee farm owner, Jessica, and her daughter Faith. First we had to remove two african pied wagtails, which had somehow got into the truck and taken up residence!
As we approached the lake, we came down off the high land into the huge rift valley. It was a breath-taking sight to see such a huge expanse of savannah ahead of us with the mountains of the Congo rearing up on the far side of the lake. Initially we stopped at a small fishing village and I took loads of photos of Herons, Ibis and Storks. Bob then took us to the Lake Albert Safari Lodge where he had some friends. It was a rather luxurious lodge on the edge of the savannah by the lake. After a fantastic lunch, we spent the afternoon lazing on the veranda, chilling by the lake. It was so relaxing. Then, at about 5pm, we took the Hilux, with Bob at the wheel and a guide in the passenger seat, out into the bush!!!! Terry and I stood in the open back of the truck and had a personal safari tour. The feeling of driving through the bush with an unrestricted view from 2 metres up is awesome, and one I will unlikely get again. The land surrounding the lake doesn't have any large animals or big cats, but we still say loads of Ugandan Kob, Warthog, Baboons, Waterbuck, Bushbuck and various birds. Including the majestic Gray Crowned Crane, the national bird of Uganda. It was such a good experience, that has left me very excited about the prospect of another 2 weeks of safari to come.
5th August
Today we drove the short distance to Hoima and am now sitting in an internet cafe there. Through some contacts of Bob's, Terry and I are joining up with a group from the US called Encounter Uganda for two days and hopefully doing some well drilling!! If you can travel with an open mind and a degree of flexibility in your agenda, you never know where you might end up or what you may experience. I certainly never imagined standing on the back of a hilux on safari yesterday or that I would be able to do some well drilling.
Anyway, I must be off, time to check into the Crown Hotel in Hoima and have my first shower since Sunday!!!
Until next time,
Weleba
Another week has passed and I've been very busy and having fun. I have now left the Kibbuse Vocational School at Nyamawra and am in a large town called Hoima. It has electricity and tarmac on the roads! The first tarmac roads I've seen in 2 weeks. Once again I'll try to give you a day by day account of my adventures.
29th - 29th July
After posting here last tuesday we spent the rest of the day in Karaguza shopping for things the school needed. This takes a surprisingly long time, as life is so laid back and at a slow pace. Combined with Bob and Rev James seeming to know everyone in Uganda and chatting lots it took the whole day to get everything done. On the way back to the school we came across a large pile of earth in the middle of the road, which had clearly been left there to fill in the pot holes. However they had decided to call it quits for the day and come back tomorrow, so we had to find another way home.
Wednesday was spent doing more digging for the playground. The students all had exams so it was just Terry and I. We had to take lots of short breaks as it was so hot, and we caused quite a stir as the local people aren't used to seeing mzungu (white man) at all, let alone working hard in the fields like them. About 20 primary school children came to watch us for half an hour, and even offered to help for a bit. It was slightly disheartening to think that a 7 yr old is almost as good at shifting earth as me. I kept thinking of my brother Rhodri and imagining him with a hoe helping us out.
30th - 31st July
Thursday and Friday were spent filing and painting all the metal brackets we had been making previously. There were nearly 400 of them and we had to put two coats on each. Needless to say it got a little dull towards the end.
On Thursday we had an earthquake!!! I've never experienced one before. At first I thought someone had driven a truck into the far end of our building. Fortunately it was only a little one, but it was cool to experience.
1st August
Today we had American pancakes for breakfast with lots of maple syrup. They were very tasty. I didn't really do much in the morning other than some laundry, which again was highly amusing to Sarah. (Not sure if I mentioned her before, she is Bob and Brenda's cook and housekeeper) In the afternoon Terry and I climbed a big hill behind the village with two of the students. Brilliant views and got some good photos. Bob thought it would take at least 2hrs to get to the top, but it took only 40mins. People here don't really understand doing things just for the sake of it, like climbing a hill to see the view, so our actions often puzzle them. If there is no practical benefit to doing something then they don't do it.
In the evening we drove to another town nearby, Kakumiro, to pick up the Rev James and to buy some timber. This involve strapping 10 or so 5metre planks of wood to the back of the Hilux (this one is nearly 20 yrs old and is indestructible as proved by Top Gear) with as much rope as we could get our hands on. This practically double the height of the truck and would have been highly illegal in the UK, but TIA (This Is Africa)
2nd August
More pancakes for breakfast on Sunday, this time Terry and I helped out, so we are no experts in American pancake making. After church and lunch we left Kibbuse for good, we had intended to stay until next Saturday, but opportunities presented themselves to experience things elsewhere. More on this later. I was sad to leave as I had felt comfortable and happy at the school, but was excited about moving on too.
After a 3hr drive we arrived at Kiziranfumbi, where we were to stay for the next 3 nights. The hotel was basic; a double bed, a locking door and a light. Shared 'toilet' aka 'hole in the ground' and a barrel of clean water for washing. Still it only cost 8000 shillings a night (about 2 pound 50, thee keyboards don't have a pound sign!) We ate dinner in a tiny little restaurant with only one room and had meat and rice.
3rd - 4th August
Had chipati wrapped around an omlette for breakfast, which I bought from a roadside vendor. he cooked it on a metal plate heated by a fire in an old car wheel. Nothing is thrown away here. After a short drive to Wambabya, we arrived at a coffee farm. We were here to install all the metal brackets we had been making on some coffee bean drying racks. They were at risk of falling apart, so were going to reinforce them. I should add that the students at the school had made these the year before in partnership with the coffee farm. We returned to Kiziranfumbi for lunch of goat meat, rice and matoke. Overall we completed 17 of the 25 racks on Monday after using 340 screws. I can tell you that your whole arm begins to ache by this point.
After a good night's sleep, we returned early the next morning and had finished by 11am. This gave us some free time we had not anticipated, which we made the most of with a visit to Lake Albert with the coffee farm owner, Jessica, and her daughter Faith. First we had to remove two african pied wagtails, which had somehow got into the truck and taken up residence!
As we approached the lake, we came down off the high land into the huge rift valley. It was a breath-taking sight to see such a huge expanse of savannah ahead of us with the mountains of the Congo rearing up on the far side of the lake. Initially we stopped at a small fishing village and I took loads of photos of Herons, Ibis and Storks. Bob then took us to the Lake Albert Safari Lodge where he had some friends. It was a rather luxurious lodge on the edge of the savannah by the lake. After a fantastic lunch, we spent the afternoon lazing on the veranda, chilling by the lake. It was so relaxing. Then, at about 5pm, we took the Hilux, with Bob at the wheel and a guide in the passenger seat, out into the bush!!!! Terry and I stood in the open back of the truck and had a personal safari tour. The feeling of driving through the bush with an unrestricted view from 2 metres up is awesome, and one I will unlikely get again. The land surrounding the lake doesn't have any large animals or big cats, but we still say loads of Ugandan Kob, Warthog, Baboons, Waterbuck, Bushbuck and various birds. Including the majestic Gray Crowned Crane, the national bird of Uganda. It was such a good experience, that has left me very excited about the prospect of another 2 weeks of safari to come.
5th August
Today we drove the short distance to Hoima and am now sitting in an internet cafe there. Through some contacts of Bob's, Terry and I are joining up with a group from the US called Encounter Uganda for two days and hopefully doing some well drilling!! If you can travel with an open mind and a degree of flexibility in your agenda, you never know where you might end up or what you may experience. I certainly never imagined standing on the back of a hilux on safari yesterday or that I would be able to do some well drilling.
Anyway, I must be off, time to check into the Crown Hotel in Hoima and have my first shower since Sunday!!!
Until next time,
Weleba
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