TDI07: The road to Rwanda

This day in 2007:

Uganda, Africa: We set off in vans on our way to Rwanda, passing right by where the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda intersect.  What is amazing about the photo of the kids above is not the photo but their attitude.  What you cant see is these kids are refuges from the Congo living in a UN tent camp.  What is sad about it is that one year later and the Congo still has refugees. The two photos below are the country side just before the Rwanda boarder and a girl selling Bananas.  She was their two days in a row with wonderful smile. Click through for more photos of Africa or Uganda.

 

 

TDI07: Candy, the international language

This day in 2007:

Uganda, Africa: A lollipop makes every kid smile.  And below, a Ugandan sunrise, unfortunately we were on the truck travelling to out next destination. Click through for more photos of Africa or Uganda.

 

TDI07: African drive through fast food

This day in 2007:

Uganda, Africa: We pulled at a road side market and our truck was swarmed by people trying to sell us Chicken and beef on skewers.  It was straight from the grill, cheap and tasty.  The whole time we were there, there was a constant flow of trucks and busses stopping on their way through for food. Click through for more photos of Africa or Uganda.

 

TDI07: The people of Uganda

This day in 2007:

Uganda, Africa: After Lake Baringo, we crossed the boarder into Uganda. Through the countryside we passed many locals.  They were extremely friendly.  Some we passed quickly in truck, some we stopped and tried to talk too.  The last photo is the truck we travelled on – while we enjoyed our trip immensely, there is NO way we could recommend the company  At this stage all I will say is NEVER travel with Overland Club. Click through for more photos of Africa or Uganda.

 

TDI07: Chow Bella

This day in 2007:

Cinque Terra, Italy: We were back in Italy to fill in a few days before your trip to Africa. With only day backs, we had 4 days to wall along the coastline and the five towns that make up Cinque Terra. Click here for more photos for Cinque Terra.

 

TDI07: the locals of Habana

This day in 2007:

Habana, Cuba: Our last day in Cuba, so we just wandered the streets of Habana, and took in the local atmosphere.

 

TDI07: Vinales

This day in 2007:

Vinales, Cuba: We did the tourist route of Vinales and ended up at this hotel which just happened to have a great pool overlooking the valley. But not before seeing the rock mural (bottom), a few cave systems and this local farmer (below)

 

TDI07: More locals of cuba

This day in 2007:

Vinales, Cuba: Transport in the main street of Vinales

 

TDI07: The locals of Camaguey

This day in 2007:

Camaguey, Cuba: Do you notice the resemblance between the guy and the statue. It was at times like this when we wished we could speak Spanish!

 

TDI07: Wonderful Habana, Cuba

This day in 2007:

Habana, Cuba: Another day in Habana so we wandered the old town. Above is the old lady who poses with the huge fake cigar (for money of course) and below is the National de Cuba Hotel. As we Drunk our Cuba Libra (rum and coke) of the back garden, you could image the Al Capone and the rest of the mafia drink along side.

 

TDI07: Cuba Libra

This day in 2007:

Habana, Cuba: We finally arrived in Habana, but not without further issues. OUr flight from Amsterdam to Cuba was via Paris and we had to run so that we didn't miss another flight. Then we left the lonely planet guide on the plane so arrived in a spanish speaking country with no bookings or travel plans(except the first 2 days) in a country that doesn't really have a tourist industry, except the resorts which we didn't want to do. We eventially bought a Guide of travellers departing to the airport so we we free to do as we pleased. The picture above is of Cubas favourite revolutionary, Che, on the Ministry of defense building and the photo below is the guard of Lennons glasses (re puts them on the statutes only when a tourist bus turns up so no one can steal them).

 

TDI07: The real Turkey

This day in 2007:

Urfa, Turkey: It took us to the end of our trip to find the real Turkey. The city of Urfa was untouched by tourists and was full of traditional custom and tradition. While everywhere we went was traditional (we were their during Ramadan and every town had a Turkish bath and a barber on every corner), it didn't seem real until we got here. We appeared to be the only white people there and the locals where genuinely interested to see us, as we were to see them.

 

TDI07: My ideal retirement

This day in 2007:

We travelled on to Budapest. I had been there before so not may photos but we did what all locals did and went to Széchenyi Spa for a soak.  And these locals know how to relax.  Soaking in the spa while playing chess.

 

TDI07: A day trip to Montenegro

This day in 2007:

The locals just got on with their work…

While we saw some of the other sites of Montenegro:

Then a wall back through the old town of Dubrovnik on they way back to our hotel: