Tag Archives: Bon voyage

AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

10/07/2015

Friday – I went to school in the morning and in the afternoon I left Ruhuha to Kigali. The journey took me about 2 hours and at the bus station I met my  colleagues to go to Rwamagana. We were all very excited to be together, to share our experiences and difficulties faced in our placements. We talked about our accommodation , water, food, health, schools, teachers, students and life in Rwanda. The house in Rwamagana was lovely, with big rooms, bathroom, kitchen and a backyard. In fact, a luxury!

It was not very late when 2 big safari Jeeps drove us to a ‘pousada’ nearby Akagera. How excited it was to have my own room with a hot shower. My own bathroom was translated to ‘happiness.’ I got emotional!

It was 5:30am when we got up for breakfast. As usual, it took ages to be prepared. We were supposed to leave at 6am, but that never happened. Anyway, we had a very strong African tea which they mix with milk and ginger. I little spicy for me! We also had ham, cheese, boiled eggs, bread and butter.

Then, an early morning of our so expected weekend. When we left the hotel the road was quiet and the air fresh. The bicycle riders were on their way to work.

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I was extremely thankful for that moment. I was feeling the peace and looking forward to seeing the animals in their wild habitat. Akagera National Park presents the most scenic African’s Savannah reserve.

image Here my adventure starts at ‘Akagera National Park’ in Rwanda and Anaclet is our oficial safari guide. (9am -11/07/2015).

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Look at the size of that elephant head! It’s amazing! Well, you never know what wildlife encounter might present next minute! Giraffes, elephants, zebras, baboos, antelopes, buffalos, crocodiles, hippos, thousands of hippos…

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The first animals I saw: a family of baboons, 4 giraffes in a distance, which made them look so small and something that looked like zebras. It took hours to see the animals closer. The giraffes were so magnificent! So elegant! So magestic! But the time I heard the elephants I got so so excited. And I loved all the stories about the animals.

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LIVING COST IN RWANDA

I am not sure how much money you need per day to live in Rwanda. But while in the country I wanted to have my own experience of how it is to be a Rwandan. So, I would like to share the cost of a few things. Currently £1 is about RWF 1104.00.

image -Moto taxi price in Kigali can be very challenging for a Muzungu (a white person). Prices can vary between RWF 300 and RWF 1000. Don’t forget to negotiate and agree the price of the ride in advance. RWF 300 each way is a fair price.

-A two-litre-bottle of water is between RWF 400 and RWF 1000. It is a good deal to know your area and local people.

-A samosa. It is delicious! It tastes like “Brazilian pastel” – RWF 150.

-Yogurt – RWF 400

-A toilet paper – RWF 200

-Bread (sliced) – RWF 100

-I love nibbles like peanuts (roasted and salted) – RWF 600 for a small container.

-Fruit – 4 bananas – RWF 100 and  2 avocados – RWF 100

DSC06526 -Dinner out – RWF 3.500

-Self service lunch – RWF 1000

-A pack of popcorn in the bus station – RWF 100. The smell of popcorn usually drives me crazy. I love it! It is free! 🙂

-Bus ticket from Kigali (Kimirongo) to Ruhuha – RWF 1.300

DSC06012 -Bus ticket in Kigali from Remera to Kimirongo – RWF 200

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-Bus ticket from Kigali (Remera) to Rwamagana RWF 1.050

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The prices are displayed on the bus. I hope the information is helpful!

 

WHAT A BIKE CAN TAKE

Bike is a synonym of status in Ruhuha, Rwanda. It is either a means of transport for commercial or personal purposes. It is an economic source and to have a bicycle is a dream that many people wish to come true in their life.

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DSC06170Bicycles have become the best transport to get students to their schools.

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Peddling is  an asset in Ruhuha and people depend on the bikes heavily.

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THE BIKES IN RUHUHA

I want to dedicate some special posts for the stunning bikes that are turning heads, at least mine, on the long wide street of Ruhuha.

I love them! They are colourfully painted and decorated with meaningful words . Their owners are proud of what the bike means for them and for the community. The personalisation of the bikes is outstanding. This one is a taxi express!

DSC06162I could not stop photographing them.

DSC06167The driver is more than happy to pose for a picture. “Simba” in Swahili is Lion. Is “Tujyende Simba” Lion of Judah?

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The Hebrew word “Shalom” means peace.

DSC06161 “Mana” is God in Kinyarwanda.

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Hiace is a van used as a mini bus in Rwanda. So you can imagine what this bike can take. “Bring it on!”

DSC06169How cool this bike is!

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A JOURNEY BY BUS

How exciting it is to take a bus in Rwanda! Is it a big bus or a small bus? Well it is a van. It can be big for 20 people or small that fits 15 people, but they are never on the road with less than 24 people squeezed in like sardines in a can.

imageIt is a privilege to get a seat by the window. Please leave the windows open, so that the dust that is in can circulate and eventually go out. Believe me, that works!

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Take the minimun necessary for your jorney or be prepared to pay for an extra seat for your luggage.

 

AMSTERDAM AIRPORT SCHIPHOL

4th July 2015 – 18:37

This is the GLP cohort July 2015 at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam.

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From top right to left:

John Steel, Rachel Hardin, Joyce Ng, Adam Douglas, Tim Whimster, Pamela Scott, Audrey Ross, Emma Gilmour and Christine Beard.

Down left to right:

Gill Moffat, me (Suzel O’Donnell), Suzzane Munro, Laura Ince, Jacklyn Smith, Hollie Shearer and botton Jenny Cawdron.

BON VOYAGE!