01 October 2008

Home at last

The final destination: Home ... what an unforgettable experience! Going to Africa is something I wanted to do in this life time and I was very fortunate to be given the opportunity to do this with my wife and my good friend since college, Mr. Yew.

Thank you Great Eastern for allowing me to experience the greater side of life!

29 September 2008

Visit to orphanage

Before we left Uganda we dropped by an orphanage on the way to the airport. The orphanage is run by our guide, Godfrey. We gave out some ballpoint pens we brought with us to the older children and some sweets to the younger ones. If only we know we would have brought more. We were happy to see the faces of children lighten up with even such a small gift from us. The sad part for me was that the younger children were in a room where the roof was only partly covered. Our guide assured us that they are fixing it. The thing that sadden me most is that you do not see these children running around playing and laughing which they should be doing in their age. The feeling at that time was to give whatever money that I have then if I could make it better but after thoughts was that it would be best if I could come back and send things over to them from Malaysia.


28 September 2008

Farewell ...

These are the ever helpful and friendly people in the Buhoma Community Rest Camp ...





And the best actress award ...

... goes to Ms. Chan Tsuey Ni for her absolutely charming natural performance in the jungle of Uganda.


27 September 2008

Around the camp

After a hot shower and afternoon coffee and tea we ventured out to the nearby souvenir and handicraft shops before dinner back in the camp at 7:00 pm.





Mission accomplished

The time allowed with the gorilla was only one hour. When the ranger finally told us to leave there was a slight sense of disappointment that the time was so short. But we have finally accomplished what we were here to do, that is to see the last few remaining endangered mountain gorillas in the world!



The female

This is a female from the group and does not seem to mind that we are filming her while she idle around eating her brunch.


They are great climbers

Although these mountain gorilla looks big but that is all. They are really agile and are great climbers.


The first encounter

After two hours of tracking through the dense jungle and climbing over two hill tops we found the group. Suddenly everyone and everything was very quiet. You can almost hear your own heart beat. We left the porters with the backpacks behind before the ranger took us closer to where the group was resting. Each group of gorilla is allowed an hour of visit per day and not more than 10 visitors per group. At first it was quite difficult to see them as there were not much light with the tall trees and vegetation. But once we adjusted to the environment we were then able to see them sitting around eating leaves and minding their own business. They don't seem to mind and seem oblivion to the fact that we were there. Once we are close enough, we start snapping and recording away with our cameras (no flash was allowed). We took every opportunity we have to "digitized" the important moments with these great apes. The most exciting moment was when I saw the gorilla with the white patch on its back. This is called the Silver Back. He is the leader of the group and can weight up to 200kg. Each group has at least one or the most two Silver Backs and one Black Back. They are the only males in the group, the rest are all females and infant.


On the way up

We tracked through a tea plantation before we go into the jungle. The jungle bears much resemblance to the Malaysian rain forest since we are about the same latitude.



But surprisingly there were not much mosquitoes and there were no leeches which we were expecting on the soft and damp ground that was covered with dried fallen leaves.



It gets tougher as we get closer to the site where the gorillas were spotted last. Luckily we had taken the ranger advice to employ porter to help us carry our backpacks. It cost us USD10.00 per porter. They were a helpful lot and very nice. One of them is actually a student doing his first year in Degree in Education.

Gorilla tracking day

The day we have been waiting for! The day we go track the endangered mountain gorilla of Uganda. We had breakfast at 7:30 AM. And then we were given mineral water (3 bottles each at least) and packed lunch to bring along.



There was a briefing by the park ranger on what to expect, what to do and what NOT to do during tracking and when we do encounter the gorillas in the jungle. The group we are going to track is called Habinyanja Group. In short the ranger just called the group, Group H.

26 September 2008

Dinner @ Buhoma Community Rest Camp

Finally we reached Buhoma Community Rest Camp in Bwindi National Park. It was after 7pm and the sky was already dark and it was getting cold too as we are now on higher ground. We were taken to our little hut through some windy pebble path. The hut was lighted up with a energy saving light bulb. Electricity was limited as they use solar power and it was cloudy that day. Shower was out of the question as the hot water ran out. After freshening up, we went to a small restaurant where we had our dinner.



Mr. Yew was truly happy that we finally made it to the camp and are able to stretch out and have a nice hot dinner (although I think he would rather have a nice hot shower).



Tsuey Ni & I were quite tire but are happy we are doing this together. This is a very rare occasion for some time that the both of us are able have a candle light dinner.

From Kampala to Bwindi

This is an interactive map showing our journey from the capital city Kampala in the north east traveling down south west to Bwindi while passing all the smaller town. The finger pointing at the map belongs to Tsuey Ni.

Uganda Crowned Crane

Half way we stopped by to take the Uganda national bird, the Crowned Crane. It is a magnificent bird that is considered sacred in this part of the world.





Then we went on our way where the road condition has changed from tarmac to rocky road. With the rain the dust road is now muddy. One of the interesting view is the bus with an enormous mud flab in the back (see video below). The ride has been bumpy but it get worst from this point onwards.


Experiment on the Equator

Here is the proof of the water turning clockwise and anti clockwise on different hemisphere and then it goes straight through when you are on the Equator. And by the way, you also weight less when you are on the Equator. So if you want to feel lighter, live on the Equator - no need to go dieting.


On the Equator

After breakfast we started our journey into Bwindi. One the way, we passed the Equator. In this place they conducted an interesting experiment (of which you need to pay) to show that water flow directly down a hole (without turning) when you are on the Equator. And when you are on the northern hemisphere, water will turn clockwise when flow throw a hole. And when you are on the southern hemisphere, water will turn anti clockwise. Believe it or not?

Breakfast in Kampala

While having breakfast in the hotel in the morning we spotted some big cranes on top of trees that were planted on the divider of the road in the middle of the city... something you do not see in Malaysia everyday.

25 September 2008

UNESCO Heritage Site - Kasubi Tombs

Our first stop in Kampala was the Kasubi Tombs of Buganda Kings. According to the guide, this is the world's largest grass house and it is a UNESCO Heritage Site (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1022)

Arrival in Entebbe Airport, Uganda

After 14 hours in the plane, we finally arrived in Entebbe Airport Uganda at around 2pm local time. Uganda is 5 hours behind Malaysia. There to pick us up was Godfrey, our guide for the whole journey. Entebbe Airport is one hour from Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. According to Godfrey we will first visit the Kasubi Tomb (the tomb of Buganda Kings) and then the museum before we will go back to the hotel to rest and prepare for another 8 hours into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Reserve to track the endangered mountain gorillas.

Transit in Dubai

Finally we are in Dubai airport after 7 hours in the plane. I am waiting for a connecting flight to Entebbe, Uganda. Tsuey Ni and I called home, YuXuan sounded OK although sad. I think the Bumble Bee Transformer toy I left for him help a little. Right now I am outside the gate to board the flight for the second half (another 7 hours with stop over in Ethiopia) of the journey into Uganda. I took this time to pen down some of my thoughts for this trip.

24 September 2008

The day we depart

Today is the day we are off to Uganda. The flight is next morning 2am so we have to be in KLIA before mid night. Today, I took YuXuan out to KLCC and brought him a red dragon toy. I have tried to tell him that we are going to Africa and is not suitable for children, but he just would not accept it, so I just leave the discussion as it is. We do not let him know exactly when we are going. We had a great time today and the plan was to make sure YuXuan is tired and will go to bed early so we can leave quietly. It seems cruel, but I think it is the best for him. At least he would not be too sad if he don't see us leaving. I hope he will be fine once we are off.

20 August 2008

Yellow fever vaccination

To go to Africa, Yellow Fever jab is compulsory. At first we asked around in private clinics in KL and Klang Valley that provide this service. It will cost us RM300.00 per jab. But the ever resourceful Mr. Yew had found a government clinic in Penang that is able to provide it for RM90.00. So during the school holidays, Tsuey Ni, YuXuan and I took a trip up north to get the jab and at the same time have a short holiday. Total amount spent, jab, petrol & accommodation is still less than RM600.00.

28 July 2008

Getting approval

Tsuey Ni had gotten approval to take two days leave from her HM and we had decided that we want to take up this challenging trip without YuXuan. This would be the first time both of us are going away without him. But we told ourselves this is something that YuXuan will have to learn and go through.

24 July 2008

Meeting up with Great Eastern

Finally Mr. Yew and I met up with Great Eastern Corporate Communication people and they handed me the official letter that I have won this exciting & challenging trip ... so it's confirmed, I am going to Uganda to track the endangered mountain gorillas.

21 July 2008

The begining

This journey starts when I first receive a call from my good friend and insurance agent Mr. Yew on my 40th birthday this year. I did not believe what he had told me until I met with the Corporate Communication people from Great Eastern. At that time the thoughts that was going through my mind was: who is going to take care of YuXuan, what about my exams for my MBA which happens on the 27th & 28th September, the week I am suppose to be in Uganda? Can Tsuey Ni take leave and go with me? It was both exciting and worrying.