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 ;)

Currently in South Africa – on a dialup hence no pictures. Really having a lovely time with my family. It’s a funny old place – quite tropical really… but so sad in a way…

See there’s a pretty major disparity between the Have’s and the Have Nots.. fences everywhere and lots of crime. It’s sad really as it just shows how desperate some peoples lives are.

I think the biggest example (to me) was that we chose to do a different hike than that of hiking up Table Mountain because recently there have been quite a few muggings on the mountain. When the ability for anyone to freely go and enjoy a natural place is compromised – that seems to me to be a very sad thing – especially when it is accepted.

Other than that – all good. Reading lots, writing a little, eating far too much and generally enjoying myself. Which was quite needed actually – as after the events of the last couple of months I found myself quite drained and in need of a family induced recharge :)

Off up to Auckland for Sun->Tues. Nice flight up past taranaki (I can’t get enough shots of this mountain! I love it!!)

We had our biannual work conference on the island of Waiheke. I asked – and was allowed – to fly up a day early which meant I managed to get to see Cirque du Soleil perform their Varekai production. I’m not even going to try to describe it except to say if you make the effort to see these people perform then you won’t be disappointed at all!. This is the second of their productions that I have seen – this time last year Alegria in the Royal Albert Hall which was also simply brilliant (thanks to Mhairi’s parents for that one).

After that it was off to the island for the conference. Really was a beautiful island – incredible to see a sky full of stars and yet only be 30 mins from a town the size of Dublin.. Did manage to get to try wake-boarding. I was really happy getting up on my third attempt and not stopping until my arms could take no more. Lots of crossover with snowboarding.. (pics to follow hopefully)

As chance would have it an old engineering friend Brian flew into Auckland on the 18th – and he came out to the Island and joined us for the work BBQ that evening – I think he quite enjoyed himself. Whether it helped with sorting out his jetlag I have no idea!

Well, I’m off to Africa in a little under 3 weeks – to see my cousins in South Africa and then four weeks with my parents in Uganda.

As you know they have been there for just over 3 years doing aid work. Dad has set up a university – the Mountians Of The Moon University and mum is trying to set up an IV fluid production plant so that people who contract malaria can get the fluids they need to stay alive.

Pretty cool eh?!. Anyway, I’ve left it far too late to organise a fundraiser.. so this is my stab at it. At the bottom of this post is a donate button. Please donate if you feel the urge. YES it will go to me, and you’ll just have to trust (and I am trustworthy I promise!) that any monies donated will be brought out and given to my parents.

What they use the money for is a sort of slush-fund for helping the locals start mini businesses and any other things that come along. I quote from Dad..

We use the slush fund to give boosts to our projects if things are getting
difficult, though we try not to use it that way. We also use it for school fees for orphans,and have bought mosquito nets for a school. I am using some to help with training of staff to Masters and PhD level, for their fees and accommodation

We have used it to build houses and get land to give people security, helped people set up businesses and not importantly to get drugs and hospital treatment to cure people of malaria which would otherwise kill them, especially children.

Feel free to tell any family & friends who might want to donate too ;)

Thanks!

note! when you click the above link you will be taken through to a paypal screen.. you do *not* (I think) need to open an account – just put fat wadges of cash in the number box and click the continue button at the bottom…

Finally there are two documents here and here if you want to read more about what the uni is up to