Heaven exists in a corner of Rwanda

Dear Folks

I am sure there are many heavens, but for sure one of them exists in the corner of Rwanda where we spent the week end.

Our wonderful Rwandan friend Theogene has been our chauffeur, guide, mentor and support . Our bumpy and adventure filled ride through Akagera park is over but the sights and sounds of Africa can't be erased. We saw impala, zebra , giraffe, water bucks, buffalo, baboons, wart hogs, topi, and were very fortunate to see elephants . The plain teemed with wildlife , and the trees were filled with too many species of birds to remember.

Then we got the flat tire...........and the skies opened..Technically you aren't supposed to exit the car because of the animals ,but they ignored us long enough for Theogene, our guide Tito, and a bus driver who happened along to replace the tire, then we resumed our trek on a deeply rutted, soggy road blocked by trees uprooted by elephants. There is a solitary male elephant( Mutare-which means chief) the guide was praying we would avoid. (He is known for charging the cars. )That wish came true . The elephants we saw ignored us completely. No one was insulted.

The hotel was a sanctuary......with comfortable clean rooms , a BATHTUB!!!! , and a lovely out door eating area where the night sounds were magical. The very early morning was filled with mystical , haunting calls, and a haze over the lake left the divisions between land, water and sky unclear. I think we have been so busy that the opportunity to stop , savour and wonder is a gift , and one we used to full advantage .

We had a very charming and engaging waiter at dinner and breakfast who delighted in teaching us Kinyarwndan , and took great care of us as his welcome guests. This is the Rwandan way, and we could take some important lessons from their attention to people around them , their politeness and respect. We may be strangers in a foreign land but care is always given to ensure we are made welcome. In fact whenever we thank someone they say" YOU are welcome "in the most heartwarming way , with the emphasis on'YOU".

I stepped out onto my balcony at around 630 AM to savour the view, when I looked up into the face of a very large and curious male baboon, hanging like an African gargoyle off the roof of our room.Rapid re entry . That's when the lizard ran over my foot!

We booked a boat to see hippos , crocodiles and birds. The sky was looking ominously dark in the distance so we went back for our rain gear. If we thought we had a deluge on Saturday , this was Armageddon. The sky turned completely black , the wind whipped up big waves and the sky opened. Remember this is the place for hippos and crocodiles! We were soaked to the skin, our faces stung by the horizontal rain, with thunder and lightening surrounding the boat. Our guide thought he could outrun the storm in his little metal boat . ( Oh what fools we mortals be!)

Then it stopped just as suddenly as it started, after turning the red dirt road out of the park into a river. Enough drama for one day ......we thought. The drunk looking motor bike with 2 helmetless idiots weaving along the road in front of us ploughed face first into the back of a truck ahead of them , and fell over. Both men stood up ( thankfully) looking dazed, blaming the truck driver for braking too quickly! Jennifer , still soaking wet in the front seat had been watching with growing dread in anticipation of what was coming. Yes, she has the gift of prophecy . Who knew?

Anyway folks, we are firming up our final days' agendas, writing our reports and will spend next week end travelling again. Enjoy the photos .

From Jennifer, Louise and me......see you all soon.