Lake Kivu

Ah... Gisenyi.

Another amazing memory from ten years ago. Every time I think I've had the best day, I have another! Lake Kivu is about an hour from Ruhengeri where we live. The roads are much better than they were ten years ago... No potholes now... Though a lot more traffic. Sadly, walking along the main roads there is a strong smell of petrol fumes now that I didn't notice last time I was here.

Anyway, back to Gisenyi. Is there a better feeling than swimming in a lake, with birds of prey flapping overhead, fighting with the crows (which look like giant magpies)? Perhaps only when a black and white kingfisher flies over and perches on a stick in the water so you can swim up to it!

We went to Gisenyi overnight to make the most of it - part of the plan these two weeks is for Pam to relax and have a proper break... And lying on sunloungers by the lake seems to be doing the trick! We stayed overnight in a Presbyterian guest house... £5 per night. It even came with a mosquito net over the bed! Though it unfortunately didn't stop one little blighter from whining in my ear all night (and I'm not talking about Pam!) It didn't bite me because I had anti - mosi spray on, so it munched on Pam instead.

There was a long power cut when we arrived and the water was off too, so I suggested we play the game that Tracy and I invented for playing during power cuts. It really is an inspired game. It's called 'dying farmyard animal impressions' - one person does the impression and the other guesses what the animal is and what it died of! Pam declined to join in. Though she induced hysterics when she was singing along with her headphones in, later, and it took me about 15 mins to manage to say 'I thought you didn't want to play my game...' I genuinely don't know if it's the affect of Rwanda, or the affect of Pam or simply being on holiday, but I have not laughed till I cried for a loooong time!

The landscape definitely helps! Serena hotel charge a lot for you to sit on their beach, and use their loungers and swim in the lake, but it was worth 10,000 francs to spend the day there.

We visited Justus' aunt before we left Gisenyi and had a chat with Justus translating...with me throwing in the odd word of kinyarwanda every now and again which always seems to cause amusement!

I'll leave you with this kite...