A Four Day Update!

Sorry about the delay folks. We had a dinner to get to Monday night, and were on Safari for the past three days. Tony reckons we’re doing it pretty tough

Ok, so Monday was our dedication day for the classroom that we built. Seeing the building, still standing, as we came down the hill in the bus really hit home for me. We had built a classroom. A classroom that will be put to good use, on the condition that it continues to stay standing! Bonny was our Pastor for the ceremony, and we welcomed Moses (our foreman) back to join in as well. We danced, prayed, sang, spoke and celebrated together. It was a very moving experience. Our modified version of Home Among The Gum Trees went down very well, despite our mix-up with the last chorus! After the ceremony, we headed up to the verandah of the kindy that was built by last year’s team for lunch. The sandwiches were being demolished as fast as they were being made! But everything was enjoyed very much, more so by the great company! After lunch was the much anticipated soccer game; Australia vs Uganda! Unfortunately the Aussie team was looking a little sick, with sunburnt and ill members having to keep the bench warm! Despite the odds stacked against us, the Aussies came out on top, with a final score of 4:1 followed by a chant of “Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!!!!” Pete did get to play the part of the Pommy footballer running round with his shirt over his head after a goal. Yeah.

We headed back to the guest house to get ready for our Appreciation dinner that night at Le Petite Village, the Le Chateau restaurant. Along the way, we tried to get Moses to spill the beans on who our Hosts were for the evening. He knew, but he didn’t say a word! We tried squeezing it out of Bonny as well, but to no avail. We were seated and waiting patiently for our hosts, fortunately with an understanding of Ugandan traffic jams and the time they take up. But when they arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves meeting Bonny’s in-laws, Olivia and Jenner. Olivia is the lady given the great responsibility of looking after all the house mothers. Jenner works in the finance department of Watoto. We enjoyed great food, scintillating conversation and a fantastic setting.

Back at the guest house, it was a quick pack and off to bed, in preparation for our early morning start. The alarms sounded at 4, brekky was at 4.30 and we were on the bus and rolling by 5. The roads have improved immensely from what last year’s team experienced, and as we had such a fast run, we were treated to an early trip to the top of Murchinson Falls. It’s where the entire Nile is squeezed through a 7m wide gap! It’s a mighty sight to behold and provided us with many photographic opportunities. It’s hard to describe the noise and vibration of the water as it makes it’s way down. Just an awesome experience. And I can highly recommend you go there!

After the falls, we made our way up to Paraa Safari Lodge for lunch. I must mention the outstanding driving. Moses only hit two potholes, and if you’d seen the road, you wouldn’t believe me! Lunch was buffet style on the verandah overlooking the Nile running through the park. After lunch we went out for our first game drive. All the game rangers were out already, so we got Bonny to fill in for us! We saw many animals, including: elephants, giraffes, jacksons hartebeest, Ugandan Kob, water bucks, warthogs, crested crane, cape buffalo and countless others! No lions or leopards to be seen, despite our tree squinting team up the front! Back at the lodge, Ken challenged Bonny to a few games of pool, and got beaten 3:2 then after we had a buffet dinner they were at it again, this time Ken came out on top with a score of 5:1, while the rest of us went to bed! Wednesday morning, we were up early once more, and out on another game drive, this time with Henry as our game ranger. We were fortunate enough to see a leopard in a tree, although at a great distance. We also played tag with a bunch of American tourists in the hunt for the best angle on a lioness we spotted! As she walked along we got some great shots and even a bit of video footage, something for you all to look forward to upon our return! Back to the lodge for lunch and a swim then off again for a boat trip up the Nile to the bottom of Murchinson Falls. We saw plenty of Hippos (or Hippopotomouse as Tony kept calling them) and were very fortunate to capture some of them with their mouths open mid-yawn! We also saw some very large crocs, as well as a variety of animals and birds we’d seen out in the park. the Falls were just as impressive from the bottom, churning out buckets of foam from the raw power of the water rushing down the narrow gap. After the boat trip, those of us feeling guilty about all the buffet food we’d eaten decided to walk back to the lodge. We are very glad we did, as halfway up the road a mother baboon crossed over, with the cutest baby clinging on to her stomach! We took a lot of photographs of her, Ken even got some amazing footage of her cuddling her child. Wow.

We had to wait until 7.30 for dinner to be ready, so we all entertained ourselves. Bonny and Moses were playing a card game called Watootu ( we think it’s like the Aussie game switch). Bonny and Ken managed to con two free pool tokens out of one of the lodge staff. I played with Bonny for the first game, and we beat Ken. To even the odds, Julie joined Ken’s team, but they were beaten again! Mum, you won’t believe it, but I was actually not too bad! Thanks to Bonny’s guidance I think. Buffet dinner again, followed by more pool. Ken and Moses verses Bonny and I. Ken and Moses beat us 2:1. Fun was had by all, and I’m pretty sure we woke half the lodge with our cheering!

This morning we were up and on the bus by 7.40 so that we didn’t miss the barge across the Nile. We drove back to Kampala and through some dodgy narrow alleyways to The Shack for a delicious (and once again buffet) lunch.

And that’s where we are up to, back once again at the internet cafe! And in case you were unsure, we will be having another gelati on the way home. I’m sure there’s still at least one or two flavours I’m yet to try!

Update again tomorrow!!

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Author:
Zoe Maclean
Proofreaders:
Tony, Pete and Ken!

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