Sorry about the complete lack of pictures (so far) but – would you believe it – broadband is a luxury I can’t seem to access over here!
So had a lovely time in South Africa – pics to follow. Then had a minor panic attack as my issued tickets had no record of the Jo’burg->Entebbe flight (either direction). Of course it turned out to be an electronic ticket – still.. made me a tad nervous.
A little too much haze and cloud on the way up so didn’t manage to get any pics really – hopefully the way back down will be better. Lake Victoria really dominates the view as you fly in. Apparently one of the safest places in Africa to land – due to there being 68,000 sq km (the size of Ireland) of water on hand to douse the flames.
Mum and Dad came to collect me and since then I have been pampered rotten. I’m completely loving it!!! :) There is so much to describe – Africa reminds me a little of Asia – in that there are lots of people everywhere. Here however the people are far friendlier – they’ll talk to anyone, and indeed it’s pretty rude to be in a rush. Everything cruises along at 3/4 speed.
All of the places we have stayed have large fences & gates and watchmen (generally with guns). All slightly unsettling at first – but am used to it now. The roads are insane – or most of them. Not just because they are mostly more like trenches than roads (mostly dirt roads) but also because of the motorbikes (borda-bordas), pedestrians, trucks etc. that swerve all over the place in order to avoid the bigger of the pot-holes.
Still, great country. It has been wonderful to see the university (where I am writing this) and mums IV fluid plant (which still needs heaps of cash – but at least the building has started). Mum leaves Uganda on the 9th April with me – and goes back home… looks like Dad will be here until Juneish by which time he will hopefully have handed over to the next poor unfortuna… I mean the lucky successor ;)
Actually it really is a pretty good life here. We went rafting on the nile – and there was a guy there – Richard (from Auckland) who kayaks 3 days a week – and that’s all he needs to do to have a perfectly happy life in Uganda. He lives in a big house – has people to look after him and helps grow the tourist economy. Spends half his year here, and the other half guiding in Austria. I think I need to do more kayaking when I get back to NZ ;)
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