Nov 1, 2007 - Our Adventure in The Congo

"You're actually going to the Congo?" was the question posed by a seasoned traveller we met on our journey. "Are you crazy??" asked another, with an incredulous look. With calm assurances from our Aunt Janine, more Congolese than European, and at 77 years old, a true adventurer and lover of Africa, we head out via air from Uganda to expreience this country first-hand. Boarding our small plane is an experience in itself. It was either a 15, 18 or 24 seater but with all the luggage, plastic wrapped bundles and other paraphanalia taking up...

Sep 20, 2006 - rwandan hospitals, kids, sleeping in church, volcanos and being hit by a gorilla

Hey sorry have not emailed for soooo long absolutely no email access and when there was there was a power cut or all phones were out. sooo much has happened so will try and fill you in. When we arrived in rwnada out first night was spent ina church community hall in the town of ruhengeri on the border with the congo. it has the most spectacular backdrop of 3 volcanos which tower above the valley at 3000+ meters. when we arrived it was pouring with rain it is the start of the rainy season in rwanda and so we had to try to cook under our...

Aug 25, 2006 - Gorilla Day

Today was Gorilla Day. Everyone was all excited. We ate breakfast and made out way to the border (Uganda/Congo). We cleared the border and were split into 4 groups in 4 wheel drives to head to the park entrance to hike to the gorillas. We drove for 2 hours over the bumpiest worst roads we've encountered thus far. We passed thru villages ravaged by the latest war and others that are full of Rwandan refugees. Their homes are mud huts with straw roofs. There are no Coca-cola signs or any signs of western influence. This is the Africa I came to...