Credits: from Akilounedesigns: Paper – kit so natural papier froisse, papier 9, papier 10, papier ray; Embelishments – kit so natural branche, toiles.
In Lake Manyara in Tanzania, this one knew its rights. It just stood there, fanning itself with its ears. Quite captivating to watch and a great opportunity to photograph. More on my safari adventures and the beautiful savannah. Stay tuned.
Will be on holidays… I’ll be back soon with lots of stories in tow. Happy Easter, everyone.
You get what you pay for. We were on a budget and we decided to take the bus to save some money. We could have asked the taxi driver to drive us there but it would cost us 4x more than if we took the bus…
After our rafting stint in Kampala, we headed west. We took the wrong bus and ended up in a small town called Kamwenge with no inns to accommodate us. It was our first taste of the local Ugandan life. We should have been alarmed when we entered the bus and saw zero foreigners.
Credits: Frame (for all photos) by Sweet Shop – Cycle Carnival Frame
The trip was supposed to have taken 4 hours. 5 hours later, we realized we were nowhere near our destination.
Along the way, I was scouting for places to sleep and can’t seem to spot any and as the town gets smaller and more remote, my fear gets bigger and more foreboding.
When we finally reached the end of the road, we got out, got our bags and tried to muster an act of normalcy, probably to no avail. The people were staring, probably wondering what brought these 2 Asians to their town (if they’ve even seen an Asian upclose and personal before). On the bus, dear boyfriend befriended a young local residing in the city, who was going to visit family. Dear boyfriend’s thought balloon – “I’ll force this young guy to take us home with him for the night!” 😯 He probably sensed it because he waited with us for a matatu (their version of our FX) and was I relieved when we were finally on our way to where we were supposed to be 6 hours ago. The driver even helped us find a good hostel, stayed with us until we were guaranteed a room. We were warned by friends to be careful in Africa and so far all we had experienced was kind accommodation from everyone.
OK, that was our scary moment, we also had our fair share of funny moments and one such moment was when we had to take a matatu in Fort Portal to Lake Nkuruba (near Kibale Forest, where the Chimpanzee tracking is). We were the first passengers and had to wait till the car got filled up.
The matatu, a Corolla, finally left with all 10 of us – 5 passengers at the back and 5 in front including the driver – but not without a flat tire.
Don’t ask me how we fit in that poor Corolla. It was hilarious! It didn’t help that dear boyfriend is a big guy and I refused to sit on anyone’s lap nor have any one sit on mine so one guy was practically standing (squatting was more like it!) all the way. Poor guy but I wasn’t budging.
The misadventures did not stop there. In Lake Nkuruba, we booked for the lakeside cabin. It wasn’t what we (or rather I) envisioned it to be and the lake was practically the only thing that was going for us, at this point.
First of all, the bath is an outhouse on a hill. Secondly, there was no electricity, good thing we had headlamps. But the worst thing was when we were about to call it a day, (headlamp) lights out and all, as I lay down, head resting on my pillow, I felt something moved! MOVED! I was sharing a pillow with a bush rat! Let’s just say that the pillow (and the rat) got thrown out of the cabin, and I shared a pillow and a bed that night! The next day, we checked out and moved to a $45 room in Fort Portal.
So did we save? Learn from our lessons, my friends. If unsure, take a cab and be wary of super budget prices. As I said, you get what you pay for, as simple as that. Not their fault.
Despite the mishaps, this trip was exceptionally memorable (and on hindsight, quite enjoyable) precisely because of the risks we took. The experience was all worth it. No regrets. It’s all good!
The Massais make fire by hand without matches. Although still living in primitive abode made of cow dung, it is uncertain whether the tribe still actually use this mode of fire making. Noted as a vanishing tribe, the Massais struggle to keep their culture as modern influences lurk around their surroundings. More on the Massais here.
Credits: Papers – JSprague 07, MCO Beautiful Journey 02; Embellishments – JHE Twilled Phrases blank, Leona Apron Strings2 pldlabel, MCO Topper; Overlays – KPertiet Sanded overlay, MCO Boho Flourishes; Paper Mask – MCO Scalloped Paper Mask; Alpha – JSprague Dauphin Alpha
This was taken in Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve in Fort Portal. It is also home to orphans of AIDS victims. Part orphanage, part guesthouse, the money earned from the guesthouse (and various donors) helps sustain the orphanage. Most of the time, a show is prepared for guests. Performing with gusto, we watched, entertained by their zeal. They showed pride as they performed in front of a handful of delighted foreigners. These children definitely have the groove!
Red Colobus among the many wildlife found at the forest.
Lake Nkuruba was our jump-off point to an up close encounter with the chimpanzees. Uganda is home to gorillas (in Rwenzori Forest) and chimps (in Kibale Forest). Unable, however, to see the gorillas due to time, budget constraints and the government’s policy on permits, we went on the chimpanzee trek.
A small town with one main road, we found our way to this western town of Uganda the hard way. In fact the highlight of our African adventure was this journey to Fort Portal and Lake Nkuruba. It’s a story all its own so stay tuned. 😀
Africa—my biggest trip so far and a dream vacation not exactly at the top of my priority list. I found my way to Africa quite by chance. A few years ago, a friend of mine did a year of volunteer work in Mombasa, Kenya. One day, I received an email from her inviting us (her traveling buddies) to join her on a safari. The thrill-seeker in me cannot NOT take this opportunity, so in June of 2005, I found myself on board a flight enroute to Nairobi. Turned out to be by far the greatest experience ever. Extraordinary adventures that made it to my list of firsts.
Credits: Brushes – DDMWISE a la Mode, NRJ Funky Vintage8; Papers- Defining flowers – jen wilson, Kpertiet King Me paper, Lumiene – jen wilson, strip – jen wilson, Tjd Kuwtj hardwood 3; Elements – KPertiet – Hemp Tie, Linda GB Tiny tags_all worn, Lynng_barcelona button 2
To kick off this African Adventure series, I’d like to introduce to you to the Massai of East Africa. They are after all one of the better-known African tribe. They live on the Serengeti Plain near Kenya and Tanzania. A unique society with a rich history steeped in culture and tradition, however with the interference of the west, the Massai are at risk of losing that culture within our lifetime.
It was quite evident at the time of our visit to a village that they have become more and more entrenched in a market economy. Souvenirs were peddled in one area of their village. The Massai are pastoral people who live mainly off their cattle. Traditionally, livestock is their primary source of income. Beyond being used for food, it may be traded for beads and clothing. Until recently, it was illegal to sell livestock for cash. But the modern day comforts have lured many a younger Massai to the Western culture. In a bar in Arusha in Tanzania, we were introduced to a Massai in regular modern day get up (sans their signature shoes made of rubber tires and red wraps) playing billiards with the locals. If not for their very distinct earlobe hole and beads and other accessories, they blend in really well with the others.
Despite that, majority of this red wrap cladding people still live in traditional Massai abode made of cow dung and mud. I know, I know! We entered one of it upon their invitation albeit hesitantly and with a huge sigh of relief, we found that it wasn’t stinky at all! 😯
They are known to be fierce warriors and hunting and killing a lion is common still today for these warriors to sort of prove their manhood and test their courage.
I am pleased to have caught a glimpse into the lives of this interesting set of people before outside interference completely change them.
Navigating the White Nile or the source of the Nile, in Uganda, is a once in a lifetime experience. The Ugandan government has every intention of constructing a hydroelectric dam at the Bujugali Falls to provide power to the country, as their frequent power interruptions can last a whole day. In a few years the exciting rapids will just be a memory.
We would raft rapids labeled as “the bad place”, “overtime” and more. The day trip is a 30 km stretch of world-class white water rapids, mostly grades 4 & 5. I was in for a turbulent ride! But hey! How often do you get to raft the longest river on earth? The White Nile is a beautiful stretch of river with abundant bird life and rich, green-forested banks. While the whole experience gives you an adrenalin rush, strangely, a calm assurance sort of settles in because well, wasn’t I rafting with some of the best river guides in the world?
The Outfit: ADRIFT Adventure Co.
Plot 14, York Terrace,
Journal reads:
All things bright & beautiful,– Cecil Frances Alexander
From the Hymn: All Things Bright & Beautiful
Took this shot in 2006 at Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania. I just love this photo of the little birdies resting on the neck of the giraffe. Isn’t it amazing how God created all creatures big and small to live together (albeit not always harmoniously)? 😉
my adventure odyssey 