THS 2010 Adventure Launched

Kenya and Tanzania 2010 is now launched at school




• Search for the 'Big Five' in the Serengeti ecosystem
• Stunning scenery and wildlife of the Rift Valley lakes
• Amboseli's elephant herds and views of Kilimanjaro

See reception or Mrs Kirk for details

Its a plug thing with electric trickery

All back safe and sound

Humble apologies for lack of updates on the road, electricity supply was sporadic let alone a computer or internet !
Will endeavor to back date posts and pics etc.
Hopefully the muddy coloured girls deposited back to you will give positive feedback.

Off to spend an hour in the shower and buy a washing machine.
Work for me in the morrow :(




Yes that is a warthog inside our campsite !



The gorillas did not heed the 5m rule. Wow !

Breaking camp in Kibale

An early start




Ezre prepares porridge



Vikki and Annie prepare the toast



Miss S washes up by te 3 bowl method and Kate and Simrat "shake and dry"

On to Queen Elizabeth National Park

One camp site done.
Arrived at Kibale National park after a long drive.
Set up camp, all of the girls mucking in and no real dramas
Our Kirk Ezra and our driver Charles are both excellent.
Ezra cooked fish and chips on a two ring stove !

We where split into two groups for chimp trekking, one it the morning one in the afternoon.
Both groups had excellent sightings of chimps, ours involved watching a lone male eating high up a tree. He then climbed down within 8m of us and set off along the forest floor.
What ensued was a calamatous 30min romp through the jungle following the guides and the chimp.
The speed was incredible, the sight of the a chimp bum just ahead dissapearing into the undergrowth.
Just trying to keep up was an effort, we all tripped fell and laughed as we walked through vines, spiders and all the rest.
Simba the male chimp put quite a display on, bnaging the buttress of trees to signal.
A quite incredible adrenaline rushed adventure.
A swamp walk later gave us sightings up close of 5 species of primate and lots of birds.

So really excellent.

A quick toilet stop in Fort Portal and now on to QE national park. Games drive this eve.

The girls are doing brilliantly and dealing with all the challenges thrown at them

more later if and when we can.
sorry about typo's to sloooow here.

Night time at Kibale

After a successful day we settled down to night in camp.

Enjoyed some Cadbury's hot chocolate, ate fish and chips cooked on the charcoal grill


And then headed up to the bar to confuse the poor staff with a request for 10 diet cokes/sprites/krests/whatever was cold. Miss T then entertained us with her monkey impressions!




We were delighted to find proper flushing toilets, with lights, but then dismayed to discover that the lights attracted the bugs, and there's no worse time to be attacked by deadly killer grasshoppers! Luckily our screaming and laughter scared them off.


Head torches on we headed back to our little campsite.

Chimp Tracking

Aware of the time and effort that the first group had put in to find chimps the second group once again tucked their trousers into their socks, packed a lot of water into their rucksacks and headed off into the forest!

Ten minutes in we spotted some chimp droppings (still fresh)













and whilst we were merrily examining these we heard the somewhat blood curdling call of a male chimp, which made us all freeze with excitement/fear !
So we left the path and headed off through the forest.

After 10 minutes of fighting with vines and branches, including Sophie getting herself rather tangled up, we reached a big tree, looked up and there he was.....


(others have far better images, but honestly we could see him munching away)


(Pete's pic)

Pete and his gaggle joined us, we generously allowed them to view out chimp (they'd set off before us and had had the pleasure of climbing a steep hill only to have to scramble down again when our guide radioed their guide)



We stood and watched the chimp feed and then our guide wandered over to tell us that the chimp would come down from the tree soon and to move to another, so we had to be ready to follow. As if on queue the chimp climbed down and set off into the forest and we followed..........

What then ensued was 45 mins of adrenaline fuelled running, scrambling, climbing, ensnaring, tripping etc. Every now and then the chimp would stop and kick a tree buttress. The girls were incredible, keeping up with the fast moving chimp, I however managed to do half a somersault when I tripped on a tree root and land firmly on my head (many thanks to Sarah for staying with me whilst I elegantly scrambled to my feet!)




Eventually the chimp found his desired tree and breathless we settled down on a log to watch him feed. Later he was joined by a bigger male chimp who rather blatantly displayed his superiority!

Monkey spotting

We split into to groups, one to walk through the village, farmland and the edge of the park looking for monkeys, birds etc, the other group to head into the park proper to look for chimps.
The morning monkey spotters; Annie, Sarah, Lucy, Vikki and Sophie set off with trousers tucked into their socks and cameras at the ready.

We spotted a plethora of things; black and white colobus monkey, grey cheeked colobus, red tailed monkey, red faced monkey, a big blue bird, a monkey with brown bits, and a big eagle type thing, and many other things that I've forgotten!

























After a successful mornings spotting we returned to the camp site for lunch.























And then prepared for phase two of the day, chimp tracking!

Kibale camping

We arrived at the camp site to pitch the tents for the first time. Some set to work assisting Ezre with chopping others settled down infront of the campfire.

Kampala to Kibale

After an early start we left Kampala to head to Kibale, a 10 hour drive.

We stopped on route for our first encounter with local toilet facilities!










We then drove out of town to stop for the first of many road side lunches.














We then headed for the town of Fort Portal, one of the prettiest towns in Uganda, a fact we didn't appreciate until we'd seen how ramshackle most of the other towns were!

Touchdown

Arrived safe and well.



Bags all arrived albeit a little moist.



Arrived at the very luxurious (for Ugandan standards) Hotel Africana

Late arrival so basically straight to bed.

A relaxed day today, up for a talk with our guide Samantha and then off on a bus ride

across town to the Kasubi Tombs in Kampala.

Kampala is everything imagined, ramshackle in places, hustle bustle and a non existent

highway code.

We drove past most of the interesting buildings and had a good trip around the burial "palace" of the ugandan kings. So some history learnt and culture experienced.



In the afternoon had a little down time, some chose to stay in the hotel, the more adventurous

accompanied me to the mall for some supplies. Headphones are very cheap so the girls (Sophie and Victoria) who had lost theres, pushed the boat out with some replacements. A whole 12 gbp for some fancy sony ones. Frivolous.

I of course bought a couple of maps (sad) and an icecream



Just about to go out for an Indian meal ! and then to bed.



Early start for the lovely 10 hr, yes TEN drive to Kabale NP.

The luxuries of a Hotel will soon be a distant memory !
Internet also will be non-existent

Onward....

Packed and Ready to Go

After an awful lot of checking, rechecking and then checking again the bags are finally closed! Tool kits, medical accessories and spare everything account for the slight excess (well that's my excuse)
Paperwork has been checked, boarding cards printed and so on and so on.
The most traumatic part was Miss Turnbull trying to line up a sticker on the front of her new notebook!

So off to bed for a few hours sleep before the long trip to the airport (2 mins in a car, 10 mins on foot!)

Check In (part 2)

Check in complete.
We have seats 32A-J and 33A-H, so all together. (there's no seat C or I for those who can do the maths!)
Only took an hour to enter all the dates of birth, passport details etc.

Checking In

Attempting to check in on-line. Check in opens 30 hours before the flight, so midnight for the Teesside flight and 4am for the Amsterdam flight.
Pete has given up waiting and retired for the night (he has to work in the morning) and I shall attempt the midnight check-in!
We may all end up in Tenerife!

This is it

Think we are almost there.
The boring stuff is done (paperwork, packing), its the fun stuff now (traveling)

The adventure awaits...

Flight Details

Depart Tuesday 7th July meet at Teesside Airport at 4:30AM
Flight KL1530 0600 then KL561 to Entebbe

Return 22nd July 2220 KL562 then KL1533
Arriving Teesside 0900 Thursday 23rd July

Uganda is +3hrs

Louise and Shika don't forget your passports. We have all the others.

See you there

Packing List

Mrs Kirk has done the usual long and comprehensive packing list.

Copy as follows :

Packing List for Uganda 2009

Please remember your hold luggage has a weight restriction of 20kg and you must be able to carry it yourself.

= Main Luggage – a big, soft bag that’s easy to carry, it doesn’t have to be a rucksack, but shouldn’t be a hard suitcase.

= “Day sack” This must be big enough to carry possessions for a day’s but small enough that you can carry it for 5a day’s of trekking!

= “Handbag” you may wish to take a small bag to use in the evenings; on the flight; when out shopping; to carry purse and camera, please make sure it is a secure bag (ie zippable, across the body)

Camera (spare films/memory cards)

Binoculars

Small torch/head torch, spare torch

Spare batteries

Chargers

Sunglasses (and a spare pair as you’re bound to lose/break them)

We don’t need 20 of everything, so where possible share with friends

Money belt (not essential)

Plastic bags to keep things dry, keep toiletries in, and to keep wet clothes in (range of sizes) Sealable sandwich bags work well

Sleeping bag (compact if possible!)

Sleeping bag liner (for warm nights or extra insulation on cooler nights) (not essential)

Toiletries

Shampoo/conditioner (share)

Soap/body wash

(biodegradable products may be useful, you can get general purpose “wash”)

Face products

Deodorant

Toothbrush

Toothpaste (share)

Body lotion/moisturiser

Prescription drugs (including Malaria tablets)

Pain medication (paracetamol/aspirin)

Immodium/oral rehydration sachets

Antiseptic wipes and Plasters

Alcohol hand wash

Any other medication/treatments you feel you might need eg throat lozenges, indigestion remedies, eye drops, lady products (may be difficult to purchase so bring spares)

Sun tan lotion After sun! (share)

Insect repellent (a-plenty) preferably with DEET

After-bite!

Clothes (cotton items where possible)

Trousers (a few pairs)

Shorts (a few pairs)

Skirt/dress (not essential)

Cotton t-shirts (vest/short sleeved/long sleeved)

Light cotton long sleeved shirt (for evenings when plenty of bugs)

Swimwear

Sarong (can double as cover for shoulders in sensitive areas or as light sun protection)

Towel (as compact as possible)

Pyjamas/something to sleep in (For extra warmth and I’m not being a prude but if you need to nip out of your tent at night!)

Underwear

Boots/sturdy shoes for walking (ankle support recommended)

Trekking sandals

Flip flops for quick trips at night!

Nicer sandals

A hat (something to keep the sun and rain off your face and neck)

Jacket or jumper or fleece (for any cooler nights)

I know very few people who pack efficiently. Most of us find ourselves unpacking everything every night just to find a pair of socks. A useful tip is to compartmentalise your luggage, put things in clear bags. For example put all your pants in a small clear plastic bag, t-shirts in another etc, it makes things so much easier to find.

Flight Bag

On the flight wear loose clothes (something you can sleep in comfortably), layers for temperature variation, comfortable shoes for plodding about airports.

Spare clothes (light jumper, socks, undies, t-shirt)

Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, foot spray, deodorant, lip balm, moisturiser, contact lens things NO MORE THAN 100ml containers)

Prescription drugs (inhalers etc) in original packaging

Any liquids must be in a clear plastic bag to go through security at the airport.

Eye mask

Ear plugs

Foot/Neck pillow (pillow can also be useful for camping)

Sweets/crisps/nibbles

Sandwiches (if you don’t like airline food)

(Water/drinks are now not permitted unless bought at the airport)

Books/magazines/walkman or I-pod

Get packed its all go go go

Not long now.

Visa's have been received and are all present and correct.

We have our group allocation for the trekking permits, and the "teams" have been chosen.
I of course have requested the best viewing.
When I say best, I mean the shortest walk.

So get packing its not long

642 Days later

During our Thailand trip at the Nam homestay, we all had a gift symbol from the villagers.

A good luck band was given, this bit of string was a gift of luck and good wishes.















Now for some of us, this band stayed on for a day, week etc.

Mine however has stayed with me for a considerable amount of time.
Suffice to say I had grown quite attached to this tatty bit of twine.

Today finally after 642 days, it has disappeared :)

I therefore am a little bit down.

In respect the string and I had been through a lot :

• Found Nemo in the South China Sea
• ooaah and aahhed at Humpback whales
  
• Gawped at Machu Picchu
• Attended a Quaker wedding in NY State
• Swam in the Amazon
• Ate dumplings in Warsaw
  
• Changed the Guard in London
• Petted sharks, penguins, turtles and boobies in the Galapagos
• Did the sound of Music in Austria

So thankyou string.

I can now claim my prize for holding on to it for the longest.

Still does not make me feel better :(

Visa Application

Thankyou for all your passports and passport photos. The visa applications were sent off today.

Let's hope that the Ugandans want us to visit!

Sleeping bags

Went to "big Tesco" to do a little shopping.

Found a microlight mummy sleeping bag that's half the weight of my current sleeping bag. The old one has a extreme rating of -10C and weighs 1.5kg, the new one 1.7C and weighs 0.8kg. So it's size over warmth. I may have to sleep in the garden for a couple of nights to test them both out!
Also found in inflatable rectangular pillow for £1.50. Folds up small and is quite comfy, for £1.50 you can't go wrong!
I really need to get out more!





Also found on their website that they do a hydration bladder for £8.80!

Presentation Done...

8 weeks 5 days to go.

Presentation went well I think, seemed to bamboozle everyone with everything.
Please do ask if anything is unclear.

Suffice to say Mrs K will issue a comprehensive packing list etc etc

Most of the paperwork is now in order.

Just the visa's to apply for. Organising passports, forms, pictures is a time consuming thing.
It was amazing how many girls had to ask the parents where they where born !
All being well they will be sent off next week, and fingers crossed we will all get approved.

T-shirts / Hoodies are being sourced. I hope the earmarked pink is flattering :)

So the hard work is now done, its the fun stuff and the countdown now...

Tick Tock Tick Tock

15 Weeks to go.

Sounds like a long time, however it soon goes.

Letter and a package of information issued.

Gearing up for the presentation meeting, and all the paperwork is arriving.

Trying to figure out what SOP's and TRA's are so that we can tick all the boxes for the planning.
Visa's are also looking complicated. Joy

Still the places we are going look great.

More later..

tick tock tick tock