Chris here for the final time before an early departure on Thursday.
Following the relative stress of yesterday’s journey the well earned reward of a day at Mweya Safari Lodge was greeted well by all. We woke at 6 am for a 6.15 meet prior to the game drive we had arranged. Mike arrived looking like a broken man after sharing a room with what he thought was a snoring hippo – it turned out to be Richard leaving Mike with no more than an hour or so sleep! The rest of the group were ready to go and looking forward to more sights this beautiful country had to offer. We left for the drive at 6.30 – on time which was a first for the trip so far! Over the next 4 hours we witnessed an amazing African sunrise, stunning lakes, countless deer, buffalos and a number of bird species. However even going off road in our team bus did not lead us to a lion but it was evident they had been around as we came across the skeleton of a deer that didn’t get away!
We returned to the hotel at 10.30 for breakfast which was enjoyed by all – especially myself following 2 days of very little food! We hit the pool for a few hours of R and R which helped to recharge the batteries for the schools that await us over the next 3 days. 2 hours after breakfast and lunch was served – everyone manfully pushed their way through another meal although Rich and Jeremey despite ordering first and the simple dish of ham and cheese toastie were still waiting 1 hour later! They had a doggie bag made up and we were driven for our afternoon boat trip – thankfully we were late this time so we felt much more comfortable in familiar territory!
Despite our guide seemingly misplacing his smile we had an amazing 2 hours riding up and down the channel between Lake George and Lake Edward. During the time we came across – elephant, crocodiles, hippos, water buffalo, deer, birds, fishing villages and stunning scenery. The afternoon was an apt finish to our day of rest, with everyone thoroughly enjoying yet another experience Uganda has to offer. The pictures will do it much more justice!
Unfortunately as much as the hotel and surroundings appealed we set off on the 3 hour journey to Fort Portal at around 5 – sad to leave behind the idyllic surround of Mweya but well and truly recharged for the 3 days of Coaching and Tutoring that remain.
Following another difficult journey which included hours of games and general chat about the trip so far, we finally arrived at our guest house for 8.30 to find a table of 6 Scottish Volunteers waiting for us until they could begin their meal! The greeting we received wasn’t the friendliest but as soon as they began to eat we were welcomed slightly more! The blame must rest with Veronika and Jeremy who insist the “map was wrong” which was why we drove up and down the same road what seemed like 10 times!
The day was finished with another few cold beers and a chat with 2 English people who are in the middle of cycling from Cairo to Cape Town – a feat that we all agreed they could carry on their own!
As this is my last entry I must say thank you to the team, Mike, Rich, Jack, Jeremy, Helen and Veronika for their work over the last 2 weeks, to Joseph “Yogi” the driver who somehow has delivered us everywhere safely and also the UCA for their hospitality. The experience has been very rewarding and if we can have made a difference to even 1 child then in my eyes it has been very worthwhile!
Czech: Po dlouuhe a strastiplne ceste, ktera trvala skoro ctrnact hodin jsme konecne v Mweya Safari. Rano v 6.15 jsme vyjeli na safari v nasem starem rachotivem autobuse a videli jsme jeleny (antilopy), prasata (divoka) a kravy (bufallo). Takze jsme byli radi, ze ve dve odpoledne jsme meli jeste jizdu na clunu a videli hrochy, slony a krokodyly.