Jijna

Thursday morning we (along with Leenisha and Katie) got into yet another Matatu... after circling the Bududa Loop more than once, we headed to Mbale. After insanely complicated bank stops (who knew bank service was on "Africa Time" too??) we got into another Matatu to head back to Jinja. We are safari-ing on Sunday leaving from Kampala so we decided to use the rest of our long weekend (yet another public holiday) to go back to Jinja for some more fun and western food! So nice to get away from the rice, posha and beans that we eat every day!

We found some shops and bought some cool African crafts and then settled down for a nice dinner. We all had appetizers, a main course, drinks, and split a dessert. We havent spent 30,000 ugx on ANYTHING while we've been here so it felt like a lot....but it's actually less than 15 US dollars. Wow. Lots of food for pretty cheap. Most everything has been very inexpensive....which has been nice for us to do some traveling and not feel as guilty about the dent it's putting in our bank accounts.

We went to a campsite through Nile River Explorers which sits on a cliff overlooking the Nile. It was gorgeous!!! We had a few more drinks while sitting on the deck before heading to bed....we knew we had another early morning adventure in store!

Friday morning we woke, had a delicious breakfast of either pancakes, fruit with yogurt, eggs and toast or an omelette (yes, we are fixating on food since we have come to appreciate the variety and availability of it in the states. And yes, we have food cravings comparable to pregnant women). Then we met up at the kayak school.
David was going to be our trusty guide for the day and we set out in 3 tandem kayak. Lynds and I were together, Mich and the guide, and Leenisha and Katie. For a few minutes, we laughed as the inexperienced duo (Katie and Leenisha) made circles in their kayaks as they tried out their paddling skills. Michelle ended up swapping with Katie to test out her rapid-guiding abilities.

We had a great time...we floated along, had a few little rapids, and floated with the current. We got to kayak up to a group of monkeys playing in trees and on vines. It was surreal. A moment I wished I could have had my camera but knew I would just have to store them on my mind's memory card instead. There's been so many instances that I think, "wow, I hope I remember this forever." We paddled up to an island that had these huge mountain lizards sitting in the sun.

At one rapid it was a little big more intense...and Lynds and I flip and end up swimming through it instead (I may not have the kayaking skills I was thought...Dad, we need to practice!). We got out at an island, walked around the rapid and tried it again. Lyndsay and I were successful that time! During our celebration and while we go to watch Leenisha and Michelle navigate over the waves, Lynds and I TIP OUR BOAT!! So we ended up swimming again!

We are convinced our kayak had rocks in it catching up off balance because we tipped at least one other time and had a few near misses. But our guide and Katie flipped too, so I don't feel as bad! Michelle managed to guide her kayak very well, so I think she's ready to move to Colorado and start her next career as raft guide!

That afternoon we took exotic showers! our campsite has showers that open up to overlook the Nile. It was so enjoyable to shave your legs to a beautiful view! We have gotten use to showers that we cut short to conserve water (not to mention the fact that they are freezing cold!) that it was really nice to linger in the shower and enjoy.

We all sat around and had some drinks and got ready for our sunset river cruise! The 5 of us met up with another touring group and got on this boat.We bonded quickly with the African staff and enjoyed drinking and eating while watching the sun come down. It was beautiful. I took many pictures and even my DSLR won't do the real thing justice. Photos just can't capture moments.

The group we were with was having a sing off...so we helped the back of the bus compete with the front. It was such fun! Back at camp, the bar had turned into a dance floor and we danced the night away with our new friends. We had needed a night "out" and it felt great to be dancing. You would think we would have stayed up late and out all night but I think we were all still in bed by 11pm... us night shifters may have developed a circadian rhythm again!?

Saturday now... sitting in an internet cafe in Jinja before we catch a shuttle to Kampala. I think we are planning on picking up a few supplies from "the big city" for our life in Bududa and relaxing before we head out on our safari!

Hope we don't get eaten by any cheetahs! And look forward to the tales of our next African Adventure!

Sunset Cruise :)

Leenisha, Katie, David, Michelle, Kristen and I after our "Kayak the Nile" experience