SIPI FALLS
We left the Westend Inn at about 11am this morning. In the rush to leave after mum and dad returned from Mbale town, we could not get ice-cubes to freeze daddy's medicine.
We left the Westend Inn at about 11am this morning. In the rush to leave after mum and dad returned from Mbale town, we could not get ice-cubes to freeze daddy's medicine.
In any case, we got to moving and are on the way to Sipi Falls now. It is amazing to see the raw beauty of eastern Uganda. Definitely something worth seeing in your life time: the hills and Mountain Elgon ranges across the horizon coupled with waterfalls, cows goats and even some donkeys.
below: look into the horizon: hidden treasures of Sironko District in Uganda
donkeys in the court yards
one of the "sister" falls in Sipi Falls area
To put it as dad said.. " the good thing about the trip to Sipi is that the journey begins even before you get there!"
I totally agree. And I have pictures to back me up! :)
Our first stop was at the Crow's Nest Camp site. It is a small site with work and maintenance done completely by the local community. The housing is well organized and amicable for the traveler looking to relax and enjoy the view of the Sipi Falls. We were lucky to meet some tourists; all from different countries. Some where from Australia and others from Great Britain. The ambience at Crow's Nest is amicable. All the accommodation resembled little bird nests facing the Sipi Falls.
below: one of the cabins at Crow's Nest.
a bed at Crow's Nest lavished with a mosquito net and lots of room for two .
below: another cabin at Crow's nest
After our short visit to Crow's Nest, we left and headed for the Mount Elgon Forest Research Center. We were shocked to discover that the ten minute drive we were trying to take. . .was actually to be 30 minutes. Daddy was not particularly amused by this and suggested to stop and walk at some point.. Mum suggested that we leave her by the road and go to the camp alone then pick her up when we got back. Walking was not in her agenda!, thank heavens we met a local tour guide take us to the camp…
The Forest Research centre was really amazing. There are a multiple of forest trails and cabins for different type people. The Research Center boasts four cabins, and four tented camps.
below: a kibanda at Mt. Elgon Forest Rsearch Center
It also has campsites for tourists with their own tents. On arrival at the centre we met a group of tourists on their way to hike. Our tour guide enlightened us that the tourists would be travelling and setting camp at the "tum tum" camp site. Pronounced "toom toom "
below: a kibanda at Mt. Elgon Forest Rsearch Center
It also has campsites for tourists with their own tents. On arrival at the centre we met a group of tourists on their way to hike. Our tour guide enlightened us that the tourists would be travelling and setting camp at the "tum tum" camp site. Pronounced "toom toom ""Tum, tum." Mum repeated the words after the tour guide mentioned them, and she had a silent laugh..
"You know, long ago, the people used to dance there. The word "tum" means dance.. And "tum tum" means dance dance. The name comes from the dances at that place.." he said.
"Haha, tum tum.. " Daddy and mummy said again.. Laughing as we drove away to the next location on our to-do list.
I managed to talk my dad into letting me have a walk down to the foot of the Sipi Falls. The tour guide is going to take me down there so I can take some pictures in the cave. He says that the walk down will take 30 minutes, but I am skeptical. You know how it is with these guides.. Ten minutes becomes 20 and 30 become one hour!.. Oh well, I'll walk and speak!
… one hour later …
Wow is all I HAVE to say as far as the trip to the foot of the Sipi Falls goes. I did not think I would be able to make it to the bottom of that hill . . . but I did. I have never seen hills so steep and sun so bright.
Honestly, the walk down to the bottom was pretty smooth. May be it was because I was looking forward to getting to the bottom of the falls and my dad wanted me to see it from within the cave! I have to say, when I started to hear the falls in the back ground, I could not wait to get to them. Their beauty and sheer grandeur were enough to make me cry, but I contained myself none-the-less. My tour guide was telling me of how strong I have been.
We managed to walk through some tough terrain in less than 30 minutes. It was something amazing.. And I promised him that I would bring a friend over the next time I came to the falls. Infact, the next time I bring a friend over, I will make sure we go to the top of Mount Elgon too.
Now the trip back to the top of the mountain / hill was not easy at all. I had so conveniently forgotten my water bottle in the car and I realized how badly I needed the water when we were climbing these hills inclined at 90 degrees...literally. I must have made about six stops and by the time I got to the top,my heart was pumping so fast that I thought I would die. Haha, but as you can tell.. I am alive and WELL! :).. The one thing that kept me going was the thought of a cold bottle of fanta running down my throat when I got back to flat land.
I have to say, the journey to the top had an interesting climax.. I found a plate of deep fried irish potatoes, fish fillet and some salad… and lastly but not least … a cold bottle of FANTA... I LOVED THAT FANTA! ;)
We are on our way to Mbale town and it is about 4:50pm here . We are gonna stop by market to get some food for Bukhaweka( the real village).. Then we are gonna go to the village for the night. Its been more than a year since I was last there.. And I am waiting anxiously to get there. :)
