This week we traveled to eastern Uganda to cover a story that we have been wanting to write. The Bartons are a senior couple that serve in Mbale. They have been telling us about their Branch President and how interesting his conversion story is as well as what he does for a living. So, we took Megan and headed east, almost to the Kenya border. It was about a 4-5 hour drive through some beautiful country to the mountainous part of Uganda. The Bartons (from Murray, Utah) also wanted us to see Sipi Falls ( 3 waterfalls). So, Elder Barton drove us up to a very beautiful mountain resort.
Our first stop was at a resort called Lancom. This sat right above the lower falls and consisted of thatched roof cabins you could rent for the night.
These are the huts at Lancom Resort near Sipi Falls. They are beautiful inside.
Look just like any other motel inside...beds with beautiful, clean white linens, and wicker chairs and tables.
The three of us at Sipi Falls
Lower Sipi Falls--this is the dry season so not as much water going over right now.
At the Lancom Resort overlooking the valley. It was beautiful... like going to Park City for the day.
This is a picture of Elder and Sister Barton with Megan and me in the background.
This is a picture of Elder and Sister Barton with Megan and me in the background.
The third and lowest of the three falls
Middle Sipi Falls
Megan at the Resort
On the trail up the second falls...reminded us of what the Garden of Eden would have looked like.
Sipi Falls
We are standing on a ledge behind the falls.
We are standing on a ledge behind the falls.
Behind Sipi Falls..with vines and roots hanging down in front of our lens.
In the cave behind Sipi Falls-- our African guide gave us all walking sticks to use on the trail which made it easier.
Behind Sipi Falls
The bridge over Sipi River with the falls in the background
The valley near Mbale and Sipi Falls. The sky was very hazy as they were burning off many of the fields and getting ready to plant again.
The Bartons shared this photo with us. It was on the door of a latrine in a village near them. We often see writing on walls and fences stating "no urinating here" or there will be a fine.
This was a little different. In Uganda when someone has to urinate they say "I'm going to take a short call."
If they are going to do more than urinate they say "I'm going to take a long call."
The toilet is a porcelain bowl in the floor or a pit that you stand over. There is no toilet paper or towels so you are expected to use your hand. It is important you never shake someone's left hand. The days can get mighty long. I carry an extra roll in the pick-up for emergencies and always 2 hankies so I can dry my hands. We carry hand sanitizer as well as we shake a lot of hands.
The Branch President in Mbale-- Alfred Owidi-- who is an Orthopedic Technologist and makes artificial limbs and prostheses.
On our way home from Mbale, we spent an afternoon in Jinja, Uganda where Lake Victoria narrows and becomes the source of the Nile River. We rented a boat, called an African Long Boat, and a guide to show us the beauty of the area. He was full of interesting facts and information about this area.
You are actually seeing the "source of the Nile" in the center of the picture where you see the ripples and churning water. Before they built a dam 2 kilometers downstream, there was a waterfall right here that dropped 40 feet. That is where the water left Lake Victoria and flowed into the beginning of the Nile River.
The ripples designate where Lake Victoria becomes the Nile
Island huts that sell souvenirs
A rock in the middle of the river whitewashed from all the birds that land there.
Local fisherman returning from a day of fishing for tilapia.
Our guide Joseph standing in the Nile at the exact point where the waterfall used to be.
In 1952 the Owen Dam was built for hydro-electrical power and the 40 foot waterfall was lost.
In 1952 the Owen Dam was built for hydro-electrical power and the 40 foot waterfall was lost.
A pair of Cormorants
Woodland kingfisher
African Openbill Stork
Egret
Pied Kingfisher
Pygmy Kingfisher
Vervet Monkey
Huts at the Gandhi Shrine on the Nile
Information about the Nile River and Gandhi Park located on the Nile River. This River is the longest river in the world and travels over 4000 miles from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean sea.
View of the Owen Dam at the source of the Nile in Jinja, Uganda
Love all the pictures - the resort looks beautiful. I found the phrasing about taking the short/long call particularly amusing...until the left hand info was introduced - and then I had new appreciation for the TP decorations at the most recent Stake Dance. Gives new meaning to "being a lefty".
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