Touchdown Uganda, the Pearl of Africa

Here I am, hanging out with the amazing Gordon family, at their new home in Entebbe.   My time has been spent mixing home school teaching with interior wall painting, digging gardens, sightseeing at the zoo and botanical gardens and surrounding area, a visit to the local market, and a couple of trips to visit projects in the area.  It hasn’t been as hot here as I thought it would be, so is a welcome change from the heat of Europe and South East Asia.  A good 4 hours of rain made the flower garden preparation for the girls so much easier to dig, with the soil here red clay- hard and dusty when dry, heavy and sticky when wet.  Still wet was the better option, I could put the pick away!

camel riding at the zoo

The Gordon family

Uganda's national bird, the grey crowned crane

Helping Lily with her schoolwork

walking through the park ... and this is a really good road by Ugandan standards!!!

Termite hill

Zebras at the zoo

mum and her baby at the botanical gardens

And onto another continent ......... Farewell Europe, hello Africa

There was a notable difference as the bus went from the roads of Romania to the roads of Hungary, smooth and without potholes, and then journeyed through into the early hours of the morning to Austria, where Vienna was my next stop.  The city is beautiful, friendly and a place where I felt, as a solo female traveller, safe.   A short train ride into Germany took me into Munich, where I ventured out to visit the Neuschwanstein Castle and the Dachau Concentration Camp. as well as the centre city sights via a walking tour.  Definately a way to find out some interesting details and local insight into what the city is all about.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Biking out for a swim in the alpine lake, Neuschwanstein, Germany

Monument at Dachau Concentration Memorial, to remember, honour and to learn from.

St Stephens Cathedral, Vienna

Garden area at Schoenbrunn Palace, Vienna

Vienna Riding School future stars

Schoenbrunn Palace Gardens, Vienna

Back to Austria to the small alpine village of Schlitters, where I joined up with an Oakhall Christian Tour Group, and explored the mountain areas, the Zillertal valley and city of Salzburg, famous for the making of "The Sound of Music" movie.   Was great to share the experience and hike the trails with other people, and spend time making new friends.  An 18 hour bus trip which included travelling through the Euro tunnel by  train (double decker bus and all!) brought me into the U.K. where I stayed at Oakhall Manor in the Kent district.  This was my first taste of Britain, and I enjoyed visiting the city of Canterbury and looking over the many hillside and forest trails in the surrounding area.

Then onto Heathrow Airport, back on a plane, and off to Uganda for a month.  The adventure continues .......

Edelutte, Mayrhofen

Lake Achensee

alps above Fuggen, Zillertal valley, Tirol, Austria

Lake and Mountain views, Zillertal Valley

Lake Achensee

Bottom of Krimml Waterfall

Schlitters neighbourhood

mountain hike, Mayrhofen, Tirol

Krimml Waterfall