Gorilla Trekking=Absolutely Best Money Ever Spent
Trip Start
Aug 28, 2010
1
8
16
Trip End
Nov 13, 2010
Parc National Des Volcans, Northern Province, Rwanda
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
As many of your know, i hmmmed and haaaed about whether to do the overy expensive gorilla trek through Parc National Des Volcans in Rwanda. The price tag was hefy, and I wasn't sure if the experience wouold be worth it, but then decided to go for it anyways.
ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT.
This morning we deaprted at 6 am to the base of the Virunga Mountains to pick up our guide. In a small group of eight, we hiked up the side of the mountain, nand I'm talking real hiking...as you know I'm a runner and I was pretty winded with the incline and the altitude. We reach the o9utside of the family of gorillas with our entourage of men with guns and machetes for cutting the vegetation because its so thick. Then we reach the clearing, and i see the cutest face I've ever seen. There were 3 babies i think, two feamles, and one king male who was MASSIVE. In the hour we were allowed to spend watching them I was literally about 2 feet away from the babies as they did cartwheels, and the mohters cuddled them, and the father picked grass out of his youngins fur. Every now and then they would run by and everyone would scramble backwards to get oiut of the way. They're incredibly human, and so so beautiful, beyond words. For those of you reading this who have done the trek and provided the encouragement I needed to book it - thank you a million times.
Rwanda has by far been a highlight of the trip so far. The orphange yesterday was both one of the most amazing experiences of my lkife and incredibly sad to leave. The children are so full of life and hopeful nand cheerfuul and when you consider what they've been through in losing their parents through the genocide its beyond amazing, After the orphange a few of us took a walk into a local village to see the process of banana beer brewing - in the shade of banana trees a group of very lovely women mashed bananas with grass with their hands in a duygout canoe to the point of foaming, and the outcome was absolutely delicious (I took the chance, what the hell - I've got lots of prescriptions in case haha).
I just love it here...but tomorrow its back to the truck and Uganda!
(I tried to upload a few pics but after 20 minutes i had 25% of one photo.)
Comments
Did you manage to get me an ashtray?
My favourite one yet! yes I thought you were crazy, but it sounds amazing, you can tell how happy you are! xo
that sounds amazing ash!! i can't wait to hear about it all in person when i'm home for christmas :) much love, my dear!
Great to hear about your trip, I'm loving every second of your commentaries, even without pictures it is amazing. The scenery, gorillas, the orphanage and even the banana beer, makes me want to hop on a plane and see it all for myself! Maybe when I finally retire, I could add this to my list of most wanting to see places. Luv ya, Hon! Take Care xoxo
Dear Ashley, Even though you have only been gone less than two weeks, it sounds like you have experienced a trip of a life time already! After visiting the orphanage, I am sure you can see why so many North Americans have gone to such extent to adopt those children. I can't imagine how challenging that must have been to make that hike in Rwanda! You go, Girl !!!! You are so missed.
Love, Brenda