21 April 2009
Our long trip east...
Thursday 9th
We were up and ready to leave at 6am. Wandifa, Sainey and Alhassan all arrived promptly with our fantastic driver Abdoulie and we loaded up the car with all our belongings, presents for all the children and families we were going to see on our trip, and all of the mosquito nets that we were taking to Jarreng. We picked up Yankuba on the way through Serrekunda and set off on our trip. The first part of our journey on tarmac roads went well and we made good time. However, the tarmac runs out very early on the South Bank, so the greater part of our trip was taken at a much slower pace, due to appalling road conditions. Sainey & Alhassan kept spirits high with their infectious excitement as this was to be their first expedition this far East in their own country.
We stopped off at Kalagie to meet Ensa, one of our Grade 12 sponsored students and his family, and then some of the party had a brief walk to visit his Mum's garden and then along the river back to the road to catch up with the car containing the rest of the party. We took a photo of Alhassan the tourist with Ensa and Yankuba beside the river.
We arrived at Tendaba Camp where we were to stay the night, soon after midday, and everyone was able to recover from the journey by relaxing at the riverside, with plenty of wildlife to watch.
We spotted white and black herons, kingfishers and even a pelican! Everyone enjoyed the relaxing afternoon especially Sainey who went off on his own adventure on a boat trip to the north bank! It was his first ever boat trip and he was very excited to tell us all he'd seen on his return!
We had a lovely evening meal and then chatted and played games before heading to bed ready for another early start!
We were up and ready to leave at 6am. Wandifa, Sainey and Alhassan all arrived promptly with our fantastic driver Abdoulie and we loaded up the car with all our belongings, presents for all the children and families we were going to see on our trip, and all of the mosquito nets that we were taking to Jarreng. We picked up Yankuba on the way through Serrekunda and set off on our trip. The first part of our journey on tarmac roads went well and we made good time. However, the tarmac runs out very early on the South Bank, so the greater part of our trip was taken at a much slower pace, due to appalling road conditions. Sainey & Alhassan kept spirits high with their infectious excitement as this was to be their first expedition this far East in their own country.
We stopped off at Kalagie to meet Ensa, one of our Grade 12 sponsored students and his family, and then some of the party had a brief walk to visit his Mum's garden and then along the river back to the road to catch up with the car containing the rest of the party. We took a photo of Alhassan the tourist with Ensa and Yankuba beside the river.
We arrived at Tendaba Camp where we were to stay the night, soon after midday, and everyone was able to recover from the journey by relaxing at the riverside, with plenty of wildlife to watch.
We spotted white and black herons, kingfishers and even a pelican! Everyone enjoyed the relaxing afternoon especially Sainey who went off on his own adventure on a boat trip to the north bank! It was his first ever boat trip and he was very excited to tell us all he'd seen on his return!
We had a lovely evening meal and then chatted and played games before heading to bed ready for another early start!
