Snorkelling with Manta Rays

Oh my, day 2, in the magical lands of the Komodo dragons, was just amazing!!! It was another ridiculously early, beautiful sunrise, and get your heart pumping, start to a day. It began with someone’s alarm going off at 3.30am.  The wake-up tune just went on and on and on, whilst the culprit slept through it, grrr!!!  I was just dosing back off when from a nearby village the Islamic early morning prayer began. … Continue reading

The Magical Lands of the Komodo Dragons

Komodo Dragon and Me

Many moons ago, whilst channel surfing the TV, I stumbled upon a documentary about the Komodo dragons and ever since then seeing them in the wild had been on my bucket list. So, for 2 days, I found myself living on a wooden, diesel driven boat, exploring the Komodo National Park, in search of its famous resident, the Komodo dragon. The trip started with a 2-hour sea voyage, slowly chugging, to Rinca … Continue reading

Amongst Gorillas – Part 2

Since I had come all this way to Rwanda, I just had to do a 2nd trek with the mountain gorillas. From day 1, at the very first Intrepid briefing, I had mentioned to the leader I wanted to do a 2nd one, but he was a bit vague on how to organise it. Now in Rwanda I spoke to Patrick again, who told me to speak to the driver, … Continue reading

Amongst Gorillas – Part 1

Finally arrived in Rwanda, one of the few places to go mountain gorilla trekking. Rwanda does not allow plastic bags. It is a wonderful policy, especially after seeing the fields of plastic bags in Kenya, but I wish I had known before my trip. I had neatly organised my luggage; placed my undies in one bag, toiletries in another, permethrin clothing in another, you get the idea. However, at the … Continue reading

Chimpanzee Trek

The Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to one of our closest relatives, the chimpanzee. I decided to sign up for the chimpanzee trek; however to be honest I wasn’t that fussed about seeing the chimps, but I thought it would be a good to stretch my legs and to try out my walking gear in preparation for the gorilla trek. I looked the part for my jungle adventure. Uganda … Continue reading