Before I say anything, I must give THANKS to Jon Blanc at Kabiza Tours for making this trip for all of us a possibility! He really created a personal tour that made my family feel completely comfortable and cared for especially given their limited time outside the USA.
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Uncle Marty teaching Brian the "card shark" how to
play WAR |
We left at the break of dawn on Tues AM for the 12 hour journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Many new sights and sounds along the way not only for our American guests but for both Douglass and Brian who were able to join us. It is their country, yet rarely do local people get to see the beauty of Uganda due to the extreme poverty and hand to mouth existence. This was a dream come true for all of us especially me who was able to witness the joy and excitement of my dear local friends.
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You know it is going to be a good trip when you find a
"lucky shilling" on the ground
(by the way, the chances of that are 2 million to one!) |
THANK YOU JON!
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| Leaving Kampala |
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| Typical views |
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| A rather funny ad which Marty spotted on a truck |
The beauty is hard to imagine and very hard to capture on film. The rolling hills of tea plantations, the thick palm forrest, the transporting of matoke via bicycle along the road sides. One sees just how hard people work here...back breaking work of digging drainage trenches along the sides of the road for 10,000 shillings a day (or 4 USD a day); working the tea plantations and gardens for even less...
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| The required Equator stop |
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| Soo I suppose it is pretty cool in a way |
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| the blur of green and brown in our windows |
Now compare the cost of a general basic bare bones 3 day Safari at $1,300 USD or nearly 3.5 million shillings and you see why this is out of reach for nearly ALL locals save for the small percentage of rich (of which do exist).
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| Hard at work on the tea plantation |
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| and carrying bricks (uphill) |
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| Beautiful hills and valleys of Western Uganda |
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| Always hard at work |
We arrived at the most beautiful park lodge I had ever seen called Silverback Lodge. It sits on a hill overlooking the Bwidi Forrest. Gorillas have been known to even visit the grounds though we were not that lucky this time. Nevertheless, we were greeted in royal style. Douglass and Brian were overwhelmed and both felt like they were in a dream.
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| All smiles even after a 12 hour trip |
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| Silverback Lodge in the morning light |
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| Peace and beauty abounds |
It was 2 days of experiencing "firsts" for both of them. This was honestly the biggest joy of the whole trip. The next AM, Marty and Sabrina were off for a gorilla tracking. Mom, Douglass, Brian and I stayed behind and went for a walk to the local village where we bought small things for family and friends. It was soo peaceful, green and beautiful. The flowers are devoid of any aphids or bugs and grow to be HUGE and perfect on every bush and tree!
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First toast, first sausage (or sewage as Brian pronounces it)
The kid was able to pound the food! |
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| Grandma, Douglass, and Brian heading on a walk |
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| Sights along the road we walked |
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| perfect flowers |
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| Grandma requesting pictures |
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| So pretty |
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| So green |
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| The Bwindi park entrance |
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Douglass dared that I could not carry anything on my head
soo...I found a boulder... |
The meals and the staff were both outstanding especially to Brian who ate like there was no tomorrow!
I was sad to have to leave on Thurs AM but there were still adventures to be had awaiting us.
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| Marty said they had expression just like us |
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| YUP! |
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| Ya, found them! |
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| A big silverback keeping close watch |
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