An Adventure in Africa

Wipe your eyes Jayne and let’s go for lunch.  John explains that in his experience the volunteer students from the UK need to return to a bit of western culture after a morning spent in the slums so within five minutes we’re back in the shopping malls.  We sit down for lunch but are immediately accosted by individuals thrusting menus in our faces and vying for our custom at their snack bar.  This is all part of the fun.  After a near bust up between the traders (and the women seem to be the pushiest but I didn’t tell you that) we plum for the Indian menu following John’s recommendation – an excellent choice.

Once again Tony picks us up and takes us over to his office.  In the yard packers are boxing up brightly coloured, mouth-watering chilli peppers, okra and beans

to be exported to Europe.  And the next time you tuck into a juicy fillet of Nile perch or scotch bonnet chilli (beware, they can blow your head off), they may very well have come from these premises.   Naturally, an afternoon in the office can make one very thirsty so we pop into JKs (Just Kicking) for some liquid refreshment.

We round off the evening with a wonderful meal at a Thai restaurant and come home to see that Cardiff Blues are on the telly, thrashing poor old Bristol at rugby.  It doesn’t get much better than this – please don’t tell my dad.

14 November

It’s an early start as today’s the day we head west to see the new camp for the first time.  It’s a beautiful journey through banana and tea plantations and I’m trying to imagine how it once was when there was nothing but rain forest.

The roads are amazingly smooth.  It’s such a treat to be able to get from A to B without being shaken to death.

We arrive at the pleasant town of Fort Portal for lunch, the capital of the Toro Kingdom.  It is named after Sir Gerald Portal, a former British Special Commissioner to Uganda when it was a protectorate.

The views are beautiful over the Rwenzori mountains (Mountains of the Moon), beyond which lies the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

Oh, oh, looks as though we are being flagged down to stop.  A policewoman informs us that a VIP is visiting a local lodge so we could be waiting for a while.  Thought we’d escaped old CHOGM but looks as though we can run but we can’t hide.  Ah well, good excuse to check out the local fauna.  In that small lake we can see buffalo, hartebeest and Uganda kob – it’s great to be back.

Well, we were only held up for about twenty minutes so finally the moment has arrived to see the camp – fanfare please ….

Are you ready?

TA RAAAAAAAAA !

and look at the view!  Over the Rwenzori Mountains where, it’s rumoured, you can see snow from time to time.  By the way, Agy’s told me that I have to let you know that we’re 1105 m above sea level, S 00^o,12’ 50.6” E 030^o 06’00.6 seconds – are you still awake and, if so, what on earth does it mean?

The children belong to the former Ankoli kingdom, known as Banyankoli and their language is Lunyankoli.  So I can now say “agandi” (how are you).

Time to visit our neighbour, Herr Fischer from Kingfisher (get it?) Lodge.  What a delightful gentleman with 27 years experience in development and now running a hotel.  He’s so kind and supportive and we spend a very pleasant couple of hours chatting and, have to confess, enjoying a Nile Special or three.

15 November

Had a really good sleep last night, the only problem being that the sleeping bags rustle every time you turn over.  It’s a bit like sleeping in a packet of crisps.

We’re waiting for some gravel to be delivered so I’ll write my diary and soak up the spectacular scenery over the Park.  I don’t believe it, that’s a long crested eagle sitting on the tree over there – oh I’m happy.