Sunday morning four of us take the river cruise while Scott and Carly
enjoy some down time. We are thrilled to see lots of hippos and an
amazing array of birds.
 |
| Sunrise overlooking the pool bar at Paara |
 |
| we pass a couple of warthogs walking to breakfast |
 |
| the signs don't lie at this lodge |
 |
| red-throated bee-eaters are beautiful |
 |
| this family was frolicking on the grass at the boat launch |
 |
| never smile at a crockodile |
 |
| snake bird |
 |
| the captain offers lots of great information |
That evening we all do a safari game drive
which yields great encounters with giraffes and three lions pulling
their kill into some tall grass.
 |
| they ordered take-away tonight |
The guide for our
Monday morning game drive is George, and we're amazed to learn he is the
son-in-law of "George of the Jungle", who entertained us greatly as our
guide when we last visited Paara. George II does not disappoint,
finding us a leopard on a tree limb, then spotting six lions on a plain,
as well as some elephants.
 |
| we're very lucky to view this leopard |
 |
| George is the one with the "walking stick" |
We accompany Carly & Scott for the
afternoon river cruise, exiting upstream to take the long, high climb to
the top of Murchison Falls. The spectacular views are well worth the
physical discomfort. Abraham meets us at the top and stops at Sambiya
Lodge for refreshments on the return journey. We speak with the owner
of this popular fishing destination property, who moved from Michigan
and built the facility 20 years ago.
 |
| unusual to see a hippo on land during daylight hours |
 |
| young love |
 |
| busy neighbourhood of red-throated bee eaters |
 |
| this kingfisher is just one of the hundreds of bird species in Uganda |
 |
| fish eagle |
 |
| mother protecting her nest |
 |
| long hike up to view the falls |
 |
| making new friends |
 |
| Murchison Falls |
 |
| the entire flow of the Nile is funneled into a 7m wide opening |
 |
| view from the top |
 |
| a few welcome sodas after a long climb |
 |
| ferry ride across the Nile at sunset |
Tuesday is another
long travel day, this time returning to Banana Village. We're thrilled
to get some great views of elephants while exiting the park. The craft
vendors at a different gas station prove to be uncomfortably
aggressive. We marvel at the mud hut villages in this part of the
country, and the strong women carrying bundles of firewood and other
loads long distances on their heads.
Tragedy
strikes as we reach the outskirts of Kampala, in the form of an urgent
message for Sue to contact her aunt. Sue's father, Nelson, has suffered
from chronic heart disease for about 10 years, and she is given the
news that he died in his winter trailer in Florida the night before.
Susan is devastated by the event, particularly since we now must inform
Alicia. She is back in Lindsay attending college and was always quite
close to her Papa Nelson. Thankfully, Alicia's boyfriend, Taylor, and
our great friends back home rally to console and watch over Alicia while
her parents are half way around the world.
Susan
endures the frustrations of trying to contact her uncle, who is in
Florida and is now dealing with the authorities there, and trying to
start arrangements from this far away. Carly takes Scott to Kabona to
expose him to some of the local night life culture.
