Wednesday, 10 February 2010

UK Pit-Stop: Xmas & New Year




Dec 09/Jan 2010: A wintry break in the UK - 3 weeks of flat roads, fast internet, anonyminity & proper bread. Oh, & it was fantastic to see you fine folk as well!



Happy New Year!

Dutchie + trip to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

The latest jolly with the Dutch bunch saw us wading through swamps and ripping limbs in the tall grass, all in pursuit of the elusive rhino. The sanctuary - which occupies 70km of land - also plays host to vervet monkeys, orphaned bushbucks, hippos and crocodiles. We managed to spot an amorous couple, but sadly, not the latest addition to the rhino herd: baby Obama (his father was donated by Disneyland & his mother from Kenya...)

The main aims of the sanctuary are to promote the re-introduction of rhinos into Uganda, run breeding programmes, educate communities on poaching and rhino conservation.

Spooky


Another year in Uganda, another chance to celebrate my favourite festival...

Little Face


This photo - of one of the kids on my street - was my entry into a recent VSO photography competition. The children follow me home every day, shouting 'Muzungu, bye'! as I pass. Often, they'll peer through the compound gate, eagerly waiting for a biscuit or a piece of pineapple.

Rhino Raft Race, Jinja


November 2009: With high spirits & a mighty effort, the VSO rafting team paddled into 6th place (/20) in the annual Rhino Fund Raft Race, in aid of Rhino Fund Uganda (http://www.rhinofund.org/). The route took us along 4km of the Nile River, finishing up at the spectacular Bujagali Falls. The winning team were the 'Rhino Rangers' - none of whom could swim!

Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Cheerio VSO - Lonely Planet here I come


October 2009: I bid farewell to my do-gooding & started a new job with The Far Horizon (http://www.thefarhorizons.com/), where I will be working in the not-too-shabby role as a Tour Manager. The job involves visiting and photographing hotels & lodges around the country & 'researching' the various activities & safaris available for some new websites. White water rafting & quad-biking here I come - whoop! The office is in a pretty compound which has a resident cat called Simba; it's across town, so in order to minimise my time spent in the 'jam', I am now also the proud new owner of a little Suzuki jeep, Suki.