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| Sunset as seen from Ssese Island |
Saturday: An official Travel Day, travel from Kampala (Chili Lodge) to Ssese Island (Ssese Island Beach Hotel) via Entebbe.
To negate the notorious Kampala traffic, TDA devise the cunning plan of traveling out from Kampala by bus to Entebbe, then catching a ferry from Entebbe to Ssese Island on Lake Victoria, where we will overnight. Before cycling on the Island and catching another ferry with our bikes, back to Mainland Uganda.
So after loading our daily bags on to the Main Truck relatively early and having an early breakfast, thereby allowing the Trucks to depart early enough (they have to catch the Government Ferry) we depart the Chili Lodge in Kampala by bus.
The bus ride doesn't start well, because of our combined weight, at the Main Gate, the bus gets stuck trying to leave the Lodge. We all de-bus, and walk to the Main Road, fortunately with all of us out, the bus manages to clear the obstacle and once on the Main Road with all climb back into the bus.I am
The trip through Kampala and on to Entebbe Beach Harbour, although quite long, goes off without any further glitches. On arrival at the Harbour, here is just enough time to take a toilet break, before we all board the Ferry.
The Ferry ride on Lake Victoria to Ssese Island takes approximately 3 1/2 hours, and most of the riders manage to pass the time by taking a doze every now and then, or by chatting to some of their fellow riders. We cross the Equator for the second time, but decide to keep it low key, as we will not be able to reproduce as much of the fun as we had on our first crossing.
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| Riders getting into the bus for the trip to Entebbe |
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| The Kampala skyline |
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| Boarding the Ferry to Ssese Island |
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| The Captain checking his twin outboard engines |
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| View of Entebbe from the Ferry |
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| Start of the Ferry trip and all are calm |
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| Birthday Girl No.1 enjoying her Ferry trip |
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Approaching the Ferry Landing on Ssese Island
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On arrival at Ssese Island, the majority of the riders decide to camp, while only a handful of us take a room at the Ssese Islands Beach Hotel. Since it's Judith's birthday, I treat her to a hotel room, can't have her putting up a tent and sleeping on the ground for her special day.
After dinner, Errol the Chef, produces two freshly baked chocolate birthday cakes, one each for the two Birthday Girls. Both cakes are appreciated and consumed by the riders and staff (they take no prisoners).
Later that evening we have an impromptu party, when two bottles of chilled champagne miraculously appear (we bought them in Jinja and they were kept chilled in the Lunch Truck for this special occasion). A great way to end a special day.
It's not every birthday, that Judith is treated to a boat trip to an exotic island with a group of her friends.
Cheers,
Mike T
Ps. The latest news concerning the sick riders, is that Bridgette, Anmei and Andrew are all out of Hospital, and will be joining us shortly.
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| The Ssese Island Beach Hotel Reception |
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| View of our Room for our Island stay |
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Having lunch No.2 in the Hotel Restaurant
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