Kayaking the Nile on a sunny afternoon!

Today was our day off with the opportunity to choose how we wanted to use the time. 12 of us decided to go on a kayaking expedition on the Nile! We were driven to our starting point along the worst roads most of us had ever experienced, and arrived at the beautiful setting for our adventure. We were given buoyancy aids, paddles and paired up before clambering into double kayaks and setting of upstream. We saw loads of different birds, including egrets, grey kites, pied kingfishers, black ibis and cormorants but we were reliably informed that the nearest crocodiles were about 100km away! Our guides were excellent and it was lovely to be able to chat to them as we went along and learn about their lives, ambitions and hopes for the future, as well as the wildlife. It was quite hard going at times and the current was relatively strong in some points, a number of the team needed a helping hand or paddle to get them back in course (some more than once but then they were rather taken with one particular guide!). We were able to pause and relax on the kayaks in a number of coves with refreshments provided. What a feeling it was to be gliding along the Nile.... never to be forgotten. The journey back to base was much quicker as it was down stream. Our 2hr trip had turned into 3 1/2hrs but that's Uganda time. It was an amazing experience, many of the group overcame real anxieties about being on the water but every single participant had a wonderful time. We have created special memories that will last a lifetime.

The rest of the team went into Jinja Town for shopping or to meet up with friends made during previous visits and ex students from NVI. The leadership team spent time sorting out mobile phones, which seems incredibly beurocratic, and planning for the next few days of our visit. It was great to gather together in the garden after dinner to hear of everyone's exploits. This wonderful, vibrant part of the world has so much to offer, we are so privileged to be here.