Uganda

 

Time to go to Uganda.

Our travels were very long and delayed by road construction.  The scenery was beautiful. 

 

Great Crested Crane

 

 

Oh, I forgot.  I was offered five cows for Emily at Ugandas border...I am sure it was a joke, but ya never know.  Emily did not think that was enough for her.  Our guide, Francis, said if all the guy had was five cows then that was a tremendous sum.  In Uganda, one can not get married even with parental consent until they are 18.  Teenage pregnancy is looked down on because the Ugandans see this as an arranged marriage.  Also, the kids go through 12th grade in Uganda if they can pass several tests along the way.  Where the Rwandans were "hello, hello", the Ugandans were "white people".  Anyway,  It took us nine hours to get from our Lodge in Rwanda to Kyambura Safari Lodge in Uganda.  This is Volcanoes newest lodge and was beautiful.  The manager and the kitchen manager both came from our lodge in Rwanda.

 

 

We were the only ones staying at the lodge the entire three days.  The staff was wonderful...they did not know Beyonce..we did teach them how to play Screw Your Neighbor (very easy card game, we called it The Penny Game when the kids were little).  We had a lovely dinner and then off to sleep until our game safari the next day.

 

We have been on safari in South Africa and Botswana on a previous trip.  Both places you can get right next to the animals off road.  Our safari in Uganda was what I had originally thought safaris would be.  We were in Queen Elizabeth National Park and you had to stay on the roads.  We went both in the morning and then again late afternoon/early evening.  The animals were used to seeing vehicles but if they were not by the road tough tooties. 

 

Here they are...

 

Not sure what the animal on the right is.

 

 

African Kob

 

Warthog

 

Waterbuck

 

Some big lizard

 

Baboons

See the baby attached underneath?  See the face below?

 



 

Cape Buffalo

 

Zebra

 

Elephants

 

We did not see any predators (lions, leopards, hyenas).  I was happy with the elephant...I could watch them all day.

 

 

 

Big birds flying - we saw a lot of birds.  This park has over 600 species of birds.

 

Time to go back for dinner and drinks.



Searching for the Golden Monkeys - Rwanda

My gosh does this trip ever end?  And I still have Uganda to do!  I have a new level of respect for all those who write and post everyday..it's getting old.  So, I will finish Rwanda and get to Uganda next week.  Then you will never hear from me again...that is until my Anthro dresses come in.

Off we go!

Thursday we were back at the Parc to visit the Golden Monkeys.  This trip you do not have to have a permit.  My mom and dad were just not up for this after their trek to the gorillas.  So it was the four of us.  We were placed in a group of 10 with two guides (one guide, Bosco, was with us yesterday at the gorillas).  The average age of the others in our group was roughly 65.  Darn it, maybe my folks coulda/shoulda gone.  Short ride to the trail, get porters, 15 minute walk to wall where Parc begins...damn if it isn't the monkeys.

Over the wall and into the forest we go.

This family has over 160 monkeys.  We were told that the Golden Monkey is every bit as endangered as the Mountain Gorillas, they just don't get the press.  They were everywhere.  A bit shy but curious.

Aren't they cute? Once you find them, you get one hour with them.  We began following them and that is when I was glad Mom didn't come.  There was a lot of slipping and even falling because the ground was quite slick..and remember the porters stay back with your bags.  Soon, I could hear voices and a lot of whispering between the guides.  More trackers showed up and so did a family of gorillas.  Wow.  This was the Sabinyo family which has the largest silverback, he was huge.  Because we did not pay for a permit we were not allowed to take pictures and were only allowed to watch them for five minutes...then back to the monkeys.

The Rwandans will farm on any piece of available land, right up to the Parc.

My little monkeys.  When did Tyler get that beer belly?

We had a great time in Rwanda.  If I had to do it again, I would have stayed one more night and gone gorilla treking again.  I loved both the gorillas and the monkeys.  Friday it is off to Uganda.



J Crew Reviews: Crosshatch Linen, Perfect Linen Shirt, Marled Linen Sweater, a sale dress

A small break from my travelogue.  I did purchase a few J Crew items before the trip during a recent promotion.  Heck, let's be honest, there now is always a promotion going on at J Crew.  Either their original prices are too high or they have gotten themselves and their customers used to sale, sale, sale!  Still go for the basics.

My measurements: 38/29/39..5'6

Here we go...
 

Perfect Shirt in Crosshatch Linen size 10 here

 

On Model

 

 

On me:

 

I like this shirt tied...just not a half tucked in person

 

Up close and personal:

A bit too low

A bit too high with a a bit of gaping

Must wear a cami

Showing the length

 

In front of J Crew chambray shirt

 

This is a brighter blue and I love the color.  I also love the shirt.  I have already washed and worn several times.  It does not wrinkle very much at all.  I dried on low and took out while a bit damp so I could hand press the collar..no ironing for me if I can avoid it.

 

Next...

 

Perfect Shirt in Linen size 10 here

 

On Model

 

On Me

I would push the sleeves up but wanted to show length of sleeve.

Buttoned up and no gaping.  I do have a camisole, but I usually wear without...nude bra.

 

 And...

 

Marled Linen V-neck Sweater, size M in Marled Lilac (ON SALE) here

 

On Model, she's wearing Marled Sand:

 

On Me:

Close up.  Cami is required and I am wearing a Favorite Tank in a nude color that I can not find on the website.  This is light and airy.  I also bought in the Marled Sand because the price was so good.  I washed on handwash cycle and dried flat.  These sweaters are so light weight and work for my figure.  Some comments were that it was too boxy.  I liked.

Not done yet...

Vintage Short Sleeve PJ Set in Dot Foulard, Size M here

On Model:

On Me

 I am 5'6 and they hit right at my ankles

 Showing the rise and my little belly

Close up.  No gaping and I am not wearing a container for the girls.  This is a nice weighted cotton with NO sheerness.  It passes the "have a son at home" test.

Finally...

White Colorblock Shift Dress, size M in Blue..no longer on website

On Model in Red/Pink


On Me

I loooove this dress.  So easy.  Maybe they will have it in the sale racks, that's where I found mine.

 Sorry!

I actually purchased all of these at my B&M store.  I hardly ever go shopping unless a computer is involved.  I really do like everything I purchased and have worn, washed and worn again.