Next step.......

So our stay at sunset hotel has come to end..we have enjoyed a boat trip to the source of the Nile and on to lake Victoria where we discovered a small shop on a small island by the source of the Nile! Where of course, we couldn't resist treating ourselves to a pair of flip flops!
We saw our first bit of ugandan rain which was extremely warm and very different to British rain!
Today we leave jinja to make our way to namutumba where our adventure will begin! We are both extremely excited but also nervous as we have no idea what to expect!
This could be our last blog for now as we are not sure whether we will internet or not but for now here's a few pictures if our boat trip to keep you going!
Sophie xx

First day in Jinja!

Today was our first full day in Jinja. Had the best nights sleep ever even under a mosquito net which was a new experience for both Sophie and i. (there should be a picture somewhere... Using an app on my phone so unsure of the layout!)

We were up at 9 for our breakfast. Very interesting choice of sausages, chips, fish fingers and beans for cooked or beautiful fresh fruit. Yet to try African tea though we went for freshly squeezed  passion fruit juice.

Today we also ventured out into the town of Jinja to purchase Ugandan phones! (picture should be somewhere)

It was daunting being in the town, crossing a road it a near death experience and the locals talk so fast!

We ate dunch (lunch/dinner) at the two friends restaurant which was a few minute walk away! Experienced our first Ugandan burger! It was really tasty!

Now getting ready to hit the hay... Here's a quick pic of what i am looking at now... (the sunset). :D

after 30 hours of travelling...

We arrived at the sunset hotel!! So beautiful.. Only get wifi on the balcony... What a shame. Such a stunning view

At the airport!!!

Said our goodbyes... Now waiting to board!

All feels very real! Goodbye snow... Hello sun!

On our way!!!!

Snow may have fell, but we're off!!!!!!!

TOMORROW!

Packed, checked in and ready to go!

Hopefully, the snow will not stop us from getting to Heathrow and at 4:30pm we will be on our way to Uganda! 

We sorted out all the visa issues, with my amazing father going all the way to Birmingham to collect them! So we are officially allowed to enter Thailand now! Roll on the next 3 months!

Both our bags weighing in at just under 30kg, thank goodness!

Do not think much sleeping will be done tonight! Feels just like Christmas!

Uhoh..

It's 7 days before we are due to leave the UK and fly to Uganda... and we have only just found out that we need a visa to go to Thailand. Our original plans meant that we wouldn't need one and we just presumed that a week would make no difference... but it does.

So 7 days to go and one visa missing. Fortunately we do not actually need the visa until the 17th of March... this could be interesting.

I'm looking forward to a long phone call with the Thai Embassy... Ahhhh!

Megan

13 days to go... and the packing begins!

It is less than two weeks before we go, and I have finally got my case down from the loft. This is the most exciting bit of pre-trip planning because it's beginning to feel really real. However it is also the scariest because I now find out what I've forgotten and how much there is still left to do... 

My suitcase!! 

Sophie has made a list of the things we need, however we are sure to find out we have forgotten something! Here's the list:

Any suggestions on what else we may need would be very welcome!

I cannot believe how quickly this has come around! Eeek 13 days to go!!

Megan 

So the planning begins.....

So our plan of attack is to spend 7 weeks in Uganda, 5 days in Dubai and 6 weeks in Thailand.

In Uganda we arrive on the 24th January 2013 in Entebbe, we will travel to Jinja where we will stay for 3 nights. We will then travel to Namutumba where Megan and I will be staying for the next 7 weeks. I will be volunteering in the mother and baby unit and Megan will be volunteering in the local school; Kisiki College. We currently haven't organised any trips within Uganda but hope to visit some local attractions whilst we are there.

We are spending 5 days stopping over in Dubai, where will recuporate and indulge in luxury.

On the 17th March we travel to Bangkok. We will spend a week in Surin with Megan's friend Roger, where we hope to visit and get experience in local hospitals and schools. We then hope to backpack around Thailand visiting old towns like Chang Rai...raft tour of the Kock river...visiting national parks in Phuket and riding elephants in Puttaya.

We return home on the 24th April 2013 and am sure we will much be looking forward to seeing our family and friends!

We will try to keep you updated on our plans working up to leaving on the 23rd January 2013 and when we arrive!

Thank you for your support and interest!

Sophie :)