Great day started with breakfast in this smashing hotel. Then it was off to board a wierd house boat cum canal barge which had two floors and big enought for 100 people. There were lots of different sizes on the Verdana?? Lake.
It took us nearly 3 hours to get to our destination, firstly in open waters then down a wide river. The land either side was lower than the water. It was all very green quite unlike our first few days.
We got off to be escorted in groups of 10 around a big village spread over a few square miles. Our escort was a local man who had a cow and a small holding. We visited his house along the edge of a dubious looking stream and saw lots of lovely people who came out to wave at us foreigners. We went into the local primary school which was in session and also saw the nursery with 12 angelic faces all lined up on the porch. It was a real eye-opener, to think these lovely people have such basic lives. He told us that in the rainy season the water rises by 2 meters and everyone has to live in the school for about a month !!!!
It was absolutely boiling - about 37 degrees - sweat running down us for about 2 hours.
We got back to the boat for a meal and then had the canoeing races. Each nation had to choose 3 guys to race. South Africa won the first heat and we came fourth(last) - all down to James, Alan and Gary - but at least they had a go. The final was won by Sweden. We watched from the bank alongside lots of locals who had come from miles around to see us. Everyone was shouting and screaming when the race was on - it was just great. A clash of two cultures.
After a long ride back we got to the hotel for a swim and relax before another lovely evening meal. Rachel ate little and me not much more as our tummies are just a little delicate and we did not want to push our luck with lots of spicy food.
There was another cultural display which was really wierd. We are off to bed now, but first today's question. Who will be the first to tell me who won the canoe races?
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Barry
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2 comments:
Me and nan reckon it will be south Africa :) sorry havent been writing comments forgot with the emails... xxxx hope you have had a nice time ;) lots of love elle and nan
Sounds fab apart from the deli belly! Think of us here working and yet more snow!! Could do with some 37 degrees for a change!! We had a fun week decorating NOT!!
Enjoy - Carol xxx
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