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| Log of my Placement in Ntungamo, Uganda |
August - October November - December January - February March April
March 1, 2004 - Murchison Falls
Sunday morning I was up early and off again headed north to Murchison Wildlife Reserve. I was going alone and booked a package through Red Chilli Hideaway. The package was $99us and included accommodation, transport from Masindi to the park, all Transport in the park inc. trip to the falls, boat trip, & game drive, and transport back to Masindi. I researched a number of options and this place in definitely the best deal.
I caught a bodaboda from Craig's to Red Chilli to meat my ride. There was a guy Norm, with his son Richard and their Ugandan friend Anne who had booked the same package and offered me a ride up with them. They were from Heathrow, England and had come on a trip the visit the World Vision child they sponsor. It's a 3hr trip to Masindi and Anne drove us in the rented car. In Masindi we had lunch at the Court View motel run by Sally an ex VSO I met when I was up in Masindi back in October. She let us part the car there for the 3 days we were in the park. After a very yummy Chinese food lunch at the Court View we headed over to Travelers Corner to wait for our ride to Murchison. There we met Ellie, the last person joining us in our package. 2hrs late, no surprise, our ride showed up and we headed tot he park. The vehicle was a matatu that was comfortable for 5 of us, but no more, and unfortunately didn't have a sky roof. 1st stop was the falls it's self. We got a guided tour around the area and spent about 1/2hr checking out the falls. Murchison falls was named after the then Director of National Geographic. As you can see in the picture the Nile river gets funneled through this small opening creating pretty spectacular and powerful falls.
After visiting the falls we went to the camp. Ellie and I shared a bungalow. They were small but comfortable but dark with no lights but a lantern provided. The beds were clean and comfortable and mosquito nets were provided. Unfortunately by the end of the stay were had been eaten alive, bed bugs. You should have seen all the huge welts I had!
In the morning we got up early to catch the 7am ferry across the river for our game drive but unfortunately we were told that due to the rain that night the vehicle was not fit to go. We were offered the boat trip and 9am and promised that if the sun came out we could do the drive at 4pm. So back to bed for a little extra sleep then breakfast and off to the boat. The boat trip was good, best view of Crocs yet and lots of Monitor Lizards. Lots of hippos too, but the QE hippos were closer and easier to see.
In the afternoon we did get to go on our game drive. I was determined to see giraffe and sure enough about an hour in 2 giraffe crossed the road in front of us! They were little guys and so cute. I got out of the vehicle and followed them for a bit. Grinning I returned to the vehicle and cheekily said to the driver, "So, how about a leopard?" Sure enough 20 minutes later our ranger spotted a leopard up a tree! The leopard was full and sleepy and paid no attention to us so we were able to drive right up to the tree to see him. That was pretty special too. On this drive we also saw over 60 elephant and pretty close to us too. Big bulls and little tiny babies. One bull even lifted his trunk and trumpeted. It was a very successful game drive and I am so glad I went.
I had had second thoughts about going to Murchison for 2 reasons. 1. I would have to go alone. I was admittedly a little ticked at Craig for going without me and not wanting to go again meaning I had no choice but to go alone if I wanted to see giraffes. But in the end it turned out fine. Ellie was great and I really enjoyed myself. 2. On the border of the park is the town of Lira and 1 week before I went the LRA massacred over 200 people there. The park is officially out-of-bounds for VSO volunteers as the British High Commission has it listed as unsafe and off limits. It's hard to believe all that is going on in the north when everything seems fine in the south. When you see it in the news papers it's like you are reading about another country. It's also unbelievable how most of the rest of the world has no idea what is happening over here. If 200 were killed in the US you bet we'd be hearing about it non-stop in headline news for a long time.
Tuesday March 2nd - My Last Week
Tuesday afternoon I arrived back from the north to spend a final week in Kampala with Craig. It was bitter-sweet. We had a great time, but it was always in the back of our minds that the end was near and I would be leaving very soon. We went out for Ethiopian and Indian food and played pool at Capitol. Went shopping for all my gifts and clothes to take home. And spent lots of time at the American Club, worked on my tan by the pool and watched movies in the evenings. Monday morning Craig came with me to the airport and waited with me till it was time to go. It was a very hard goodbye.
Monday March 8th - Heathrow
1st impressions of the western world
What a shock returning to the West. When did white people become so big,
scary, unfriendly, and intimidating? It took me about a week to
adjust. London was especially scary. I had to overnight in Heathrow
and though I was planning to check out London decided against it. I just
stayed in my hotel room marveling over how nice it is to take a long warm shower
and how come British TV has like no commercials? I saw a buss painted for
Pink Elephant Parking and began to cry thinking back to drinking Pink Elephants
at Mweya. I saw West Life announce that 1 of the band members was leaving
and thought bout how disappointed all of Uganda would be about their fav. boy
band breaking up. I discovered I had developed a fear of water. I
had a really hard time brushing my teeth or drinking tap water. Even in
the shower I found I work hard to avoid getting water in my mouth! Luckily
that passed within a few days and I got used to the western world again.
I miss Uganda, and I really miss Craig. He's my best friend and I love him with all my heart. Everyday I think about getting on a plane back to Uganda and wonder what I am doing here back in Canada. Well time to start a new life I suppose. March 29th I start a great new job. Hopefully someday I can visit Uganda and Africa again, I know there is more to see and do. The time I had there has been so special for me and I will remember it always. I think I lost a lot, but I also learned, matured, and grew as a person and I hope I can hold on to everything I found there and the memories forever.
Since my travels are complete there will be no log for April. Hope you enjoyed my log and if you ever get the chance, take the leap and visit Uganda, it truly is the Pearl of Africa.
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