I am now in Entebbe tying up the last few threads of my travels.
I spent a few days on Buggala Island, part Ssesse islands on Lake victoria. Ostensably to avoid having to go to Kampala. Another interesting journey comprising of crowded coach, complete with chicken pecking at my feet for 4 hours. Followed by a boda boda to minibus for ferry, this with two large bags and rucksack. The driver was very young and small and I was a little fearful he could hold it steady on the rough track, but they are so strong these little guys. Then to the ferry, to find that some one needed to get a spare part from Masaka from which we had all arrived an hour earlier, very crushed and my knee permatly locked, onto to the ferry for the most amazing African sunset (I will be adding phots to this blog when I get back) back onto the minibus, when my knee finally gave way and I had to insist on a seat where I could try to keep it straight. not easy on a 14 seater bus with 20+ and assorted animals and bags of maize etc. I expected I would get a taxi to my hotel, but no, it was very dark and no taxis and so another overloaded boda boda ride into to night all the while unable to properly bend my knee!.
The island is very quiet, no internet, no phone at least until I bought yet another sim card, and few visitors, I was the only one at my hotel on my final night. It is so peaceful and the birdlife amazing. I managed to rest up and even get on a forest walk, until bitten almost to death. Mother nature also provided the most terrific thunder and lightening storm with bits of tree and lumps of ice flying about.
I arrived in Entebbe and decided to brave Kampala for final shopping and to join the hash. For some one who has been avoiding capital cities because of chaos, traffic, noise and pollution; this might seem contrary, but I guess true to form. It was a hilarious run around the rush hour of the Parliament area, and as I hadn't managed to do any sort of city tour, it ticked most of the boxes. I suffered 3 down down, as a visitor; not having an appropriate song to sing: and the final one from my shoe, as infact it was a sandal and so mostly poured down me. I had an interesting return trip through the Kapmpala night; drunk (much better on a boda boda) smelling of beer and managed to pick up another young admirer on the bus, who insisted on walking me home, even as I explained yet again I am old enough to be his mother; luckily we arrived at the hostel just as he was getting on to the subject of sexual healing..... I am not sure the return trip from Cambridge hash will be so eventful, but at least I didn't miss the last train.
East Africa has afforded me to most wonderful array of experiences which I will take some time to assimilate and organise. I know I will want to return, it has got under my skin, as I was warned. I have so much enjoyed my travels but I know I will need a purpose for my return too. So my final day will be spent researching the solar and renewable energies, which may shed some light (argh, couldn't resist)
Looking forward to a direct catch up with you all soon
Barbs's Big Bike RIde
This year I have decided to stay and enjoy an English Spring. It has been a long time coming but at last it is here and I am off to explore my own back yard. Well actually travelling up the UK mainland as far north as possible before 21st June and see how close I can get to the Midnight Sun.
After my travels along the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain last September on my trusty old iron donkey, I have bought a lighter bike in the hope that I can get up a few more hills and by going from Lands End to John o Groats (LEJOG) I can avoid the killing headwinds of the Spanish meseta.
So here she is, we had a jolly naming ceremony on Saturday and hopefully the good friends, food and weather I enjoyed will carry me through to the farthest northern climes. Thank you all for a great send off, admirably topped off with one too many pints The Village Bike listening to Mojo Triangle.
And she is called Eleanor, isn't she beautiful, I hope I still have such tender feelings after 6 hours in the saddle, but probably only in the nether regions I fear.
The map link on the right will show a rough itinerary and route and I will try try to update with my actual route, if I can work out how and where I am as I go along, you know there will be little correlation but I will get there or somewhere in the end!
If you want an email update, submit your address in the box also on right and hopefully it will find its way through the ether to you.
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Entebbe offers so much for the tourists who want adventure and amazing scenic beauty, a flights to Entebbe will surely give you ample joy on your vacation. I recommend going to the Uganda Reptile Village to test your bravery and courage.
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