Matatu Chaos and Island Serenity

Trip Start Sep 08, 2007
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Trip End Apr 30, 2008


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Thursday, February 21, 2008

Okay, so all we've been GETTING was R&R, but one good turn deserves another!  Matt thankfully was able to arrange to get us to the bus park in Mbarara where we hoped to get a coach bus to take us to Lake Bunyoni (where he had also been able to contact his friend Christine there who had made arrangements for our lodgings - thanks again Matt!!).  Unfortunately, all the buses had finished, so we had to make our way on a Matatu.  Now, the basic translation for a Matatu is a mini-bus, or van-bus.  However, unlike at home, there is no concept of capacity, safety, or reasonable driving when it comes to such vehicles, so the experience was certainly interesting (although I think Allison also managed to sleep through most of the journey!).  Taking Matt's advice (and his sister Lauren's, who had also been to Uganda), we negotiated our way to the front seat (and by negotiated, I mean basically sulked and refused entry until they gave it to us) of the vehicle, which is the more "comfortable" (sure) Matatu ride!
Matatu ride!
 .  Actually, to be honest, although the ride took almost 2 hours longer than it should have, it wasn't all that bad (even though Allison insisted I check our luggage was still there every time we stopped - taking the whole marriage act a little too far if you ask me!). 

After a rather cramped ride, and a banana purchase along the way (I'm never eating bananas again), we arriving in Kabale, the town just near Lake Bunyoni.  We made contact with Christine, who was doing some computer work in the town, and who directed us to a good resto for a decent lunch and a good internet cafe.  After some emailing and facebooking (I think it took me almost 2 hours to update my status - SLOOOW connection!), we got a private hire and headed to the island of Bushara, which we had been told was the best Lake Bunyoni had on offer!  We were certainly in NO way disappointed!

The island, though small (about 2km around) was gorgeous itself, and surrounded by a beautiful lake with incredible views of terraced hills, calm waters and clear skies (some great views of the moon and stars - although we missed the lunar eclipse!).  Our lodgings were at the Bushara Island Camp, the only accomodations on the island.  We stayed our first night in a permanent tent - which was actually almost luxurious and we even had our own latrine (yes, standards change when there is no running water or electricity!) En route to Kabale
En route to Kabale
 .  Our next two nights were spent in one of the Camp's cottages, with a deck looking out over the river.  They even served breakfast at our tent/cottage every morning!  Hot showers were available on request as well - TRULY paradise!  Christine was a most gracious hostess, always quick to offer a ready supply of hot chocolate and Amarula (we SOOOO owe you Christine).  Allison spent most of our other time reading and relaxing either at our cottage or in the main common area of the Camp's resto - which also served up some great food, including a very tasty Crayfish and Avocado salad! 

I realize that the events of this entry aren't terribly exciting, but it's hard to convey how nice it was to just sit in such idyllic surrounding and not have to worry about a thing!  One night we were also able to sit up with the staff as they sang (hymns mostly, thankfully I didn't understand any of the words) and drank the local booze made from sorghum (thing sour wine meets stale beer with a bit of sweat squeezed in - delicious it was not, but I found it drinkable nonetheless) - again all thanks to Christine including us.  I think Al and I almost didn't want to leave we were enjoying it so much!  But leave we must, as we had plans in Rwanda which included gorilla trekking, something we both were getting more and more excited for!
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