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  • Armenia 18/4/2016
  • Baku, Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
  • 2-3/4/2016 Trabzon to Batumi, Georgia
    • 21-27/3/2016 Atakent to Trabzon >
      • 12-21/3/2016 Cide to Akakent >
        • 6-11/3/2016 Eregli to Cide
  • 26/2-4/3/2016 Istanbul to Eregli
    • Istanbul 15-25/2/2016 >
      • London 30/1-15/2/2016 >
        • Istanbul 19-30/1/2016
  • Proposed Journey East from Istanbul, March 2016
  • Sth Africa 6-19/1/2016
    • South Africa 6/12/2015 to 6/1/2016
  • Namibia 24/10-5/12/2015
    • Namibia 1/10/2015 to 23/10/2015
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 21/8/2015 Malawi
  • 30/7-20/8/2015 Kigoma to Malawi Border
    • 21-30/7/2015 Tanzanian border to Kigoma, Lake Tanganyika >
      • 18-20/7/2015 Kigali to Tanzanian border >
        • 12-15/7/2015 Gisenyi to Kigali >
          • 10-11/7/2015 Rwandan border to Gisenyi
          • 15th June to 8th July Uganda
  • Last days in Kenya
    • 1-6/6/2015 Meru to Nyahururu >
      • 28-31/05/2015 Kenol to Meru >
        • 2011-16 Map >
          • 12-18/10/2014 Beausejour to St Laurent do Maroni >
            • 7-11/10/2014 St Georges to Beausejour, French Guiana >
              • 3-7/10/2014 Amapá, Brazil to St Georges, French Guiana >
                • 1-2/10/2014 Porto Grande to Amapá, AP >
                  • 26-29/9/2014 Macapá to Porto Grande >
                    • 16-23/9/2014 Almeirim to Macapá >
                      • 11-16/9/2014 Rurópolis to Almeirim, PA,BR >
                        • New Page
                        • 13/8-10/9/2014 Rurópolis, BR to Christchurch, NZ, return >
                          • 2-12/8/2014 Altamira to Ruropolis >
                            • 1-4/8/2014 Pacajá to Altamira, PA >
                              • 29/7-1/8/2014 Marabá to Pacajá, PA, BR230
        • 21-28/5/2015 Ongata to Kenol >
          • 5-21/5/2015 Iten to Ongata Rongai, Nairobi >
            • 2-6/5/2015 Kitale to Iten >
              • 1-2/5/2015 Lodwar to Kitale, Kenya >
                • Kenya: Omorate to Lodwar 20/04- 1/05/2015
  • 12-18/4/2015 Abra Minche to Omorate, Ethiopia
    • 3-10/4/2015 Waliso to Abra Minch >
      • 16-30/3/2015 Dese to Waliso, Ethiopia >
        • Ethiopia 9-16/3/2015 Me'kele to Dese >
          • 19/2-8/3/2015 Ethiopia
  • 25/1-18/2/2015 Sudan
  • 16-17 Luxor to Aswan
    • 8-15/1/2015 Asyut to Luxor >
      • 7-10/1/2015 Giza to Asyut
  • 1-6/1/2015 Cairo
    • Proposed passage Cairo to Cape Town Jan 2015 >
      • 21/10-12/11/2014 Suriname and Guyana
  • Updated Gear List
  • Rodovia Transamazônica
  • 21- 25/7/2014 Redencáo to Marabá, PA
    • Pará: 17-22/7/2014 Confresa, MT to Redencao, PA >
      • 9-13/7/2014 Nova Xavantina to Confreza, MT >
        • 3-4/7/2014 Barra do Garcas to Nova Xavantina >
          • 26-31/6/2014 Rondonópolis to Barra Do Garcas, MT >
            • 20-23/6/2014 Rio Verde, MS to Rondonópolis, MT >
              • 13-17/6/2014 Bonito to Rio Verde de Mato Grosso >
                • 9-11/6/2014 Jardim to Bonito MS, BR >
                  • 7-9/6/2014 Pedro Juan Caballero, PY to Jardim,BR >
                    • 9,10,11/5/2014 Remanso to Concepción onboard MV Osmar >
                      • 6-7/5/2014 Remanso,PY >
                        • 6/5/2014 Asunción to Remanso, PY >
                          • 27/4-2/5/2014 Foz do Iguaco, BR to Asunción, PY >
                            • 24-26/4/2014 Andresito to Puerto Iguazu >
                              • 19-21/4/2014 El Soberbio to San Antonio, AR >
                                • 16-17/4/2014 El Progreso to El Soberbio, AR >
                                  • 13-15/4/2014 Apóstoles to El Progreso >
                                    • 28/3-1/4/2014 Buenos Aires,AR to Paysandu, UY >
                                      • Profile Paysandu to Brazil
                                    • 9-12/4/2014 Tapebicuá to Apóstoles, AR >
                                      • 8/4/2013 Sawmill, north of Bonpland to 3km sth of Tapebicuá
                    • 28-30/5/2014 Concepción to Pedro Juan Caballero PY >
                      • 23-25/5/2014 Aquidaban back to Concepción >
                        • 16-20/5/2014 Tres Gigantes Estación Biologica >
                          • 14-16/5/2014 Vallemi to Bahia Negra on the Aquidaban >
                            • 13/5/2014 Bus trip Concepción to Vallemi
                    • 1-6/6/2014, Pedro Juan Caballero
  • 25/1/2014 USHUAIA
    • 23-24/1/2014 Rio Grande to Rio Lasifashaj >
      • 22-23/1/2013 Punta Arenas, CL to Rio Grande, AR >
        • 16-19/1/2014 Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas >
          • 14-15/1/2014 Torres Del Paine National Park, CL >
            • 8-12/1/2014 El Calafate to Puerto Natales >
              • 1-7/1/2013 Villa O'Higgins, CL to El Calafate, AR >
                • 27-31/12/2013 Cochrane to Villa O'Higgins >
                  • 19-26/12/2013 Coyhaique to Cochrane >
                    • 12-18/12/2013 Rio Santiago Bastia to Coyhaique >
                      • 6-12/12/2013 La Piedra del Gato to Mañihuales >
                        • 5-9/12/2013 Quellón to La Junta, CL >
                          • 29/11/2013 5/12/2013 Castro to Quellón, Chiloe, CL >
                            • 24/11/2013 Puerto Montt to Castro >
                              • 16-23/11/2013, San Martín, AR to Puerto Montt, CL >
                                • 9-14/11/2013 Temuco, CL to San Martín de los Andes, AR
                                • Cunco to Temuco and Santiago by bus
                                • Untitled
                                • 20,21/10/2013 Malargue to Los Frisos,AR
                                • 22-29/10/2013 Las Frisas, AR to Cunco,CL
  • 13/3/2012 Penonomé to Playa Gorgona
    • 14/3/2011 Playa Gorgona to Panama City
    • 15,16/3/2011 Panama City >
      • 14/4/2012, Shelter bay & Gatun Locks >
        • 15,16/4/2012 Canal transit >
          • 17/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina onboard SV Bijou >
            • Feb 2014, An account of a road trip in New Zealand
          • 18,19/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina
      • 17.../3/2012 Onboard SV Moondance, Brisas de Amador >
        • 25 March to 9 April, Gorgona, PC,Las Bresas >
          • 11/4/2012, Shelter Bay Marina,SV Bijou
          • 12/4/2012, Shelter Bay, and a bit of exploring
        • 11/3/2012 Las Lajas to Santiago >
          • 12/3/2012, Santiago to Penonomé
  • 7/4/2013 Bella Unión, UY to north of Bonpland, AR
    • 4-6/4/2014 Salto to Bella Unión, UY >
      • 2-3/4/2014 Termas de Guaviyú to Salto
  • Overnight Stop Map
    • 20-27/4/2012 Passage Portobelo to Santa Marta, Colombia
    • 28-29/2012 Santa Marta
  • Chile to Argentina (click on this header for an entry)
    • 6/9/2013 59km up the road camping
    • 7/9/2013 the corner to Paso Jama, Argentina
    • 8/9/2013 Paso Jama to adobe ruins on Salar de Olaroz
    • 9/9/2013 Ruins to south of Susques
    • 10/9/2013 Sth of Susques to bottom of range, camping >
      • 11/9/2013 bottom of the range to Purmamarca
      • 12/9/2013 Purmamarca to Lake campground near Salta >
        • 13,14/9/2013 Dique Cobre Corral to Salta,AR >
          • Salta south >
            • 17/9/2013 Quebrada De Las Conchas to Cafayate
      • 19/9/2013 Cafayate to 15km to Rio El Tesaro, camping >
        • 20/9/2013 Rio El Tesaro to Rio Belén, sth of Hualfin
      • 21/9/2013 Rio Belén to Belén >
        • 22/9/2013 Belén to a creek bed 42km sth
        • 23/9/2013 creek bed to 10km nth of Pituil
        • 25/9/2013 north of Pituil to Chilecito
        • 25-30/9/2013 Chilecito, AR
        • 1-7/10/2013 Chilecito to Caucete, AR >
          • 9-12/10/2013 Caucete to Tunuyán, AR
      • 13-15/10/2013 Caucete to San Rafael, AR >
        • 17/10/2013 San Rafael to Malargue, AR
  • Chile from 28/8/2013
    • 29/8/2013 Ascotán to Chiu Chiu
    • 30/8/2013 Chiu Chiu to Calama, CL
    • 31/8,1/9/2013 Calama to San Pedro de Atacama, CL
  • 20/7/2013 Titicaca area to Bolivian border
    • 20/7/2013 Sicuani to Santa Rosa >
      • 21/7/2013 Santa Rosa to Juliaca >
        • 22/7/2013 Juliaca to 6km past Huancané >
          • 23/2013 Huancané to Conima, camping >
            • 24/7/2013 near Conima, Peru to Puerto Acosta, Bolivia >
              • 25/7/2013 Puerto Acosta to Nth of Ancoraimes
  • 26/7/2013 Nth of Ancoraimes to Achacachi
    • 27/7/2013 Achacachi to Copacabana >
      • 28,29/7/2013 Copacabana BO, Kasani PE, Copa. BO
      • 30/7/2013 Copacabana, BO to Desaguadero, PE
      • 31/7/2013 Desaguadero, PE to El Alto, BO
      • 1,2/8/2013 El Alto to La Paz
      • 3,4,5/8/2013 La Paz
      • 8/08/2103 La Paz to Nth of Ayo Ayo, Camping
      • 9/8/2013 Nth of Ayo Ayo to south of Villa, camping >
        • 10/8/2013 Sth of Villa to just sth of Oruro, camping >
          • 11/8/2013 Sth of Ororo to Sth of Pazna, camping >
            • 12/8/2013 Sth of Poopo to Challapata >
              • 13,to17/8/2013 Challapata to Jirira 18-26/8 to Ollague,Chile
  • Peru 20/4/2013.....
    • 20-22/4/2013, Macará to Olmos, PE
    • 23-27/4/2013 Olmos to Chachapoyas,PE
    • 27/4/2013, Chachapoyas, PE
    • Chachapoyas to Cajamarca, PE >
      • 1/5/2013 Lejmebamba to Cerros de Calla-Calla >
        • 2/5/2013 Cerros de Calla-Calla to Balsas >
          • 3/4/2013 Balsas to a farm house overlooking Limon >
            • 4/5/2013 farm house campsite to south of Celendin >
              • 5,6/5/2013 Sth of Celendin to Cajamarca
    • 7/5/2013 Cajamarca to 9km before Cajabamba >
      • 8/5/2013, 9 km north of Cajabamba to Laguna Sousacocha >
        • 11/5/2013 Haumachuco to Trujillo
        • 9,10/5/2013 Laguna Sausacocha to Huamachuco
      • 18/5/2013 Lima
      • 23-25/5/2013 Trujillo to Caraz, PE >
        • 26,27/5/2013 Caraz to Huaraz, PE >
          • 28/5/2013 Huaraz to 34km south of Pachocoto,PE >
            • 29/5/2013 Farm 25km past Chacapoto to 12km on Huánuco Rd >
              • 30/5/2013,12km up Huanuco road to camp at 4600m >
                • 31/5/2013 near summit to La Union
    • 1/6/2013 Huánaco to camp near Acobamba >
      • 2,3/6/2013 Camping near Acobamba to Huánuco
    • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to Cuzco and Machu Picchu >
      • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to south of Mariscal Cáceres, camping >
        • 17/6/2013 sth Mariscal Cáceres 4km sthLa Esmeralda,camping >
          • 18/6/2013 Sth of La Esmaralda to Huanta >
            • 19/6/2013 Huanta to Ayacucho
  • 22/6/2013 Ayaucucho to top of pass before Ocros, 4200m
    • 23/6/2013 cerca la cumbre a 5km sur de Puente Pampas >
      • 23/6/2013 Sur de Puente Pampas a 5km este de Uripa >
        • 24/6/2013 above Uripa to Andahualas >
          • 25/6/2013 Andahuaylas to 10km below the summit >
            • 26/6/2013 near the summit to Puente Pachachaca >
              • 29/6/2013 Abancay to Curahuasi >
                • 30/6/2013 Curahuasi to a camp on the Rio Apurimac >
                  • 1/7/2013 Rio Apurimac to Izcuchaca >
                    • 2/7/2013 Izcuchaca and Cuzco >
                      • 4,5/7/2013 Izcuchaca to Cuzco >
                        • 9,10,11/7/2013 Cuzco to Machu Picchu >
                          • 11-16/7/2013 Cuzco >
                            • 17/7/2013 Cuzco to Quiquijana camping on el Rio Vilcanota
              • 27,28/6/2013 Puente Pachachaca to Abancay
  • 4/6/2013 Huánuco to just south of Huariaca
    • 5/6/2013 Huariaco to Cerro De Pasco >
      • 7,8/5/2013 Cerro De Pasco >
        • 8/6/2013 Cerro De Pasco to Junín >
          • 9/6/2013 Junín to 20km south of La Aroya, camping >
            • 10/6/2013 Sth of La Aroya to Huancayo
  • Medellín to Ushuaia, 2013 (april 2013 here,)
    • 31/1/13 Riosucio to Anserma >
      • 1/2/2013 Anserma to Cartago >
        • 6/12/2015 to 4/1/2016 South Africa
        • 2/2/2013 Cartago to Buga >
          • 3/2/2013 Buga all day >
            • 4,5/2/2013 Buga to Cali >
              • 6/2/2013 Cali to Piendamo
    • 27/1 Medellín to Bolombolo
    • 28/1 Bolombolo to La Pintada >
      • 29/1/13 La Pintada to Supia >
        • 30/1/13 Supía to Riosucio
      • 8/2/2013 Timbio to El Bordo >
        • 6/3/2013, San Clemente to Manta, EC >
          • 7/3/2013 Manta,EC all day >
            • 9/3/2013, Manta to Tena by bus >
              • 12,13,14,15 Tena to Limoncocha >
                • 16,17/3/2013 Manta >
                  • 18-23 Manta, Galapagos, Manta >
                    • 24,25/3/2013 Manta to Machalilla NP, EC >
                      • 26/3/2013 Machalillo NP to Machalillo >
                        • 27/3/2013 Machalilla to Puerto Lopez >
                          • 228,29,30/3/2013 Puerto Lopez, EC >
                            • Untitled
                            • 31/3/2013, Puerto Lopez to Ayungue, EC
      • 19/2/2013 Otavalo, Ecuador all day >
        • 20/2/2013 Otavalo to Sth of Otón, Ecuador >
          • 21/2/2013 Otón to Quito >
            • 22,23/2/2013 Quito, Hotel Húngaro >
              • 26/2/2013 Quito to Tandapi, EC
      • 27/2/2013 Tandapi to El Carmen, EC >
        • 28/2/2013, El Carmen to Pedernales, EC >
          • 2/3/2013 Pedernales to Tabuga >
            • 3/3/2013 Tabuga to Canoa >
              • 30/4/2012 Last day Santa Marta >
                • 1/5/2012 Santa Marta to Barranquilla
                • 2/5/2012 Barranquilla to Santa Veronica
                • 3/5/2012 Santa Veronica all day >
                  • 4-5/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 6-7/5/2012 Santa Veronica >
                • 8,9 &10/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 11/5/2012 Santa Veronica to Cartagena >
                • 12/5/2012 Cartagena all day >
                  • 13/5/2012 Cartagena to San Jacinto >
                    • 14/5/2012 San Jacinto to Sincelejo >
                      • 15/5/2012 Sincelejo to San Bernado >
                        • 16/5/2012 San Bernado to Puerto Escondido >
                          • 17,18/ 5 /2012, Puerto Escondido >
                            • 19/5/2012, Puerto Escondido to Planeta Rico >
                              • 20/5/2012 Planeta Rica to Caucasia >
                                • Untitled
                                • Untitled
                                • 21/5/2012, Caucasia to Tarazá >
                                  • 22/5/2012, Tarazá to Valdivia >
                                    • 23/5/2012, Valdivia to Yarumal >
                                      • 24/5/2012, Yarumal for the day >
                                        • 25/5/2012 Yarumal to Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                          • 26/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                            • 27/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos to Medellin >
                                              • 28/7 2011, Hannibal to Grafton
              • 5/3/2013, Canoa to San Clemente,EC
      • 9/2/2013 El Bordo to Tablon (April 2013 here) >
        • 1/4/2013 Ayungue to Salinas, EC >
          • 2/4/2013 Salinas to Posorjas,EC >
            • 3/4/2013 Posorja to San Carlos,EC >
              • 4/4/2013, San Carlos to Angas,EC >
                • 5/4/2013, Angas to Soldados, EC >
                  • 6/4/2013, Soldados to Cuenca >
                    • 7-9/4/2013, Cuenca, EC >
                      • 10-14/4/2013 Cuenca to Loja >
                        • 14-18/4/2013 Loja to Macará, EC >
                          • 7/2/2013 Piendamo to Timbio
      • 10,11/2/2013 Tablon to Chacahgui
      • 12/2/2013 Chachagui to Yucuanquer
      • 13,14,15/2/2013 Yucuanquer to Ipiales >
        • 16/2/2013 Ipiales to Bolivar, Ecuador >
          • 17/2/2013 Bolivar to nth of Ibarra, Ecuador >
            • 18/2/2013 Nth of Ibarra to Otavalo, Ecuador
    • Colombia 2012
  • Terrain Profiles
  • Nicaragua
  • Blog
  • Memphis to Venice, LA
  • Home and August entries
    • 8/8/2011 Sweetwater to Salida >
      • 9/8/2011 Salida to 3m North of Cripple Creek, CO >
        • 10/8/2011 Cripple Creek to Phantom Canyon >
          • 11/8/2011 Phantom Canyon to Pueblo >
            • 12/8/2011 Kansa to Warrensberg, MO >
              • 13/8/2011 Warrensberg to Clinton, MO >
                • 14/8/2011 Clinton to Sedalia >
                  • 15/8/2011 Sedalia to Tipton >
                    • 16/8/2011 Tipton all day >
                      • 17/8/2011 Tipton to Red Oak Park ,Lake of the Ozarks >
                        • 18/8/2011 Lake of the Ozarks all Day >
                          • 19/8/2011 Red Oak all day >
                            • 20/8/2011 Red Oak Park to Boonville >
                              • 21/8/2011 Boonville to Columbia >
                                • 22/8/2011 Columbia all day >
                                  • Untitled
                                  • 22/8/2011 Columbia to Portland >
                                    • 24/8/2011 Portland to Defiance >
                                      • 25/8/2011 Machens to Portage Des Sioux >
                                        • 26,27,28/8/2011Portage Des Sioux to Alton >
                                          • 29/8/2011 Alton to Columbia >
                                            • 30/8/2011 Columbia to Chester >
                                              • 31/8/2011 Chester to Grand Tower >
                                                • 1/9/2011 Grand Tower, IL to Wickliffe, KY >
                                                  • 2/9/2011 Wickliffe to Columbia, KY >
                                                    • 5/9/2011Tiptonville TN to Ripley TN
                                                    • Untitled
                                                    • 3-4/9/2011 Colmbus to Hickman, KY >
                                                      • 6/9/2011 Ripley Meeman- Shelby SP >
                                                        • Untitled
                                                        • 7/9/2011 Meeman-Shelby to Memphis
    • The proposed itinerary
    • A few words about the river
    • My Bike
    • Journal- Intro
    • Journal Entries late July early August >
      • 29/7/11 Grafton all day >
        • 30/7/2011 Grafton To Alton >
          • 31/7/11 Alton all day >
            • 1/8/2011 Alton all day >
              • 2,3/8/2011 Alton to Colarado Springs >
                • 3/8/2011 Colarado Springs >
                  • 4/8/2011, Colarado Springs >
                    • 5/8/2011 Colarado Springs Day 2
                  • 6/8/2011 Pueblo Dakota Springs >
                    • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot Springs to Texas Creek >
                      • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot springs to Texas Creek
    • The Gear list
  • Sydney to International Falls
    • IF to Northome >
      • Northome to Three Island Lake >
        • Three Island Lake to Itasca State Park >
          • Itasca Park full day 1 >
            • Itasca Park full day 2
  • Itasca to 4m north of Walker
    • 21/6/11 Walker to dare I say it Park Rapids
    • 22/6/11 Park Rapids all day >
      • 23/6/11 Park Rapids to sth of Walker
    • 24/6/11 Sth of Walker to Oak Haven Resort
    • 25/6/11 Oak Haven to Bena
    • 26/6/11 Bena for the day >
      • 27/6/11 Bena, from my tent to the shop and back
  • 28/6/11 Bena to Grand Rapids
  • 29/06/11 Grand Rapids to Pallisade
    • 30/06/11 Palisade to Crosby
    • 1/07/11 Crosby to Royalton
    • 2/07/2011 Royalton to St Cloud >
      • 3/07/2011 St Cloud to Monticello >
        • 4/7/2011 Monticello to Ham Lake >
          • Ham Lake all day >
            • 6/7/2011 Ham Lake to Prescott, WI >
              • 7/6/2011 Prescott to Pepin
          • 8/7/2011 Pepin to Perrot SP
    • 9/7/2011 Perrot SP to Wabasha, MN
  • 10/7/2011 Wabasha to Hastings
  • 16-17/1/2015 Luxor to Aswan
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 11/7/2011 Hastings to Wabasha
    • 12/7/2011 Wabasha to Lansing,IA >
      • 13/7/2011 Lansing all day >
        • 14/7/2011 Lansing to Pikes Peak SP >
          • 15/7/2011 Pikes peak SP to Dubuque, IA >
            • 16/7/2011, Dubuque to Bellevue >
              • 17/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                • 18/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                  • 19/7/2011, Bellevue to Silvas, IL
          • 20/7/2011, Moline for the Day >
            • 21/7/2011, Moline to Loud Thunder Park >
              • 22/7/2011, Loud Thunder park to Keithsberg >
                • 23/07/2011, Keithbergs to Fort madison, IA >
                  • 24/7/2011, Fort Madison to Nauvoo
                • 25/7/2011, Nauvoo to Quincy >
                  • 26/7/2011 Quincy all day
    • Granada to Panama, Feb 27 >
      • 9, 10/3/2011 Servo to Playa Las Lajas
  • 8/5/2017 Tehran
1 11/7/2015   Gisenyi to Cyimbiri camp, Congo Nile trail

D35, T5 Av10.85, max46.42, 42,831 7,802

Clear warm day, about 25 degree, sou easter blowing , cool

I finally got these writings posted and up to date on my website last night, it was a very late night, 0330 to be exact.

My phone was tethered to the laptop, the internet was very fast, faster than any internet cafe.

The big problem was that during my app updates, Canon has renewed their wifi app for their cameras. The updated version is not available in Rwanda. So, I can no longer send pics to my phone via wifi.

I had a swim in the lake which was very refreshing.

As we left town we rode around the lake shore on asphalt to the brewery then turned and got onto the trail. It was just a track. The views of Lake Kivu were stunning from the track.

Some of the climbs were extremely steep, though none of us had to get off and walk.

We passed through a number of small villages on the way. Many people were drying the small fish they catch in the lake.

At the turnoff to the lake, there was a small hydro power station in the gully it was feed by small penstocks running down the steep hill. Down at the lakeshore we got to a village and the lodge where we were going to stay. The manager said we could not camp on the lake shore infront of the village, instead we had to pay to camp inside the grounds of the lodge.

It was a beautiful place, right on the lakeshore. There were dozens of people watching us from the locked gate into the lodge. The boys and I negotiated a price and began to set up our tents. Pedro was not happy with the cost, so negotiated another price.

He had to camp a little way from the shore, however.

We did not care to much as we were tired, we thought the price was fair and wanted to settle in and have a swim.

It was one of the best campsites for a long time. The lake was remarkably clean and free from Bilharzia. The waters were a lovely temperature.

As the sunset behind a cloudy horizon, fishermen were setting nets. We had another great pasta dish.

 

 

12/7/2015 Cyimbiri camp, Congo Nile trail to Murunda

D32, T3.2 Av9.56, max28.87, 42863 7,834

Clear warm day, about 25 degree, sou easter blowing , cool

Once again sleeping under the stars in the tent makes for a brilliant sleep. Only having had 2 hours sleep last night. I was almost asleep as I zipped the tent up at 2100.

Awake at 0530. I copied some photos across to my laptop to post on instagram. Since updated many apps on my S4. Two now don’t work. Canon in their wisdom have changed the app to use wifi on their cameras and consequently it is not available in Rwanda and map with me is not available here. So, the enjoyment I got from live feeds on instagram is gone. Hopefully, the Canon app will be available in Tanzania.

We all went in for a good swim in the lake waters and generally took our time.

In the early morning at camp the fisherman were hauling in a net, The whole village it seemed were on the shores watching. The resultant catch was minimal.

Locals had told us that very few fish are caught in the lake. This was due to overfishing in the past. We were told the government is thinking of closing the fishery for a year to let stocks recover. In the small villages we passed through all day. The people were drying fresh caught small fish from the lake .The food chain is possibly broken at this point. These fish never get a chance to mature either

Pedro had to repair something that touches the spokes on his front wheel from a rack. Bens seat was loose again. He also had a load of honey come out of a bottle in his pannier. Murphys law applies on the rough roads, if something can happen it will. One must prepare accordingly.

Sailing instiled this mentality in myself.

It was a climb back up to the trail. From here, it was pretty much climbing until 1500 hrs. The road was rough with large rocks sticking out of the surface. Pedro fell off a couple of times going up step sections. He also had to replace a rear tyre that had done 18,000km, the trye was breaking free of the wire that holds it in the rim.

Bens seat continued to come loose. In a village before the big descent into Murunda we managed to find a spring washer to solve the problem. A photo of one was the only way to describe what we wanted.

Most people out here don’t know even basic English, which is understandable, they speak their local language and a little French.

We bought peanuts here. The peanuts are not as good as those sold in Uganda, so stock up there if you like them.

.

In one coastal village, that of Nkora Fishers village we stopped for chapatti and bought avocadoes and tomatoes.

We are eating so many avocadoes, that some observations came be made. One of those is that eating two or more avocados makes one pass wind relentlessly. All of us have this problem to some extent, me especially.

There are Eucalypt trees growing almost everywhere. In one particularly small steep gully some men were felling trees and cutting the logs into timber, it was such a difficult site to be doing such dangerous work. They were wearing no shoes. One man yelled to me for some water. Our water supplies were low as well.

With all the steep climbing were are doing, my legs really ache after we stop for a period, though once riding again this soon dissipates.

Lunch was enjoyed in the heavy shade of a Eucalypt forest. A hot chocolate was so nice after the strenuous riding prior.

Once at the top of the last range we had a huge descent down into Murunda. Here the only lodge in the village was booked. It was a clean tidy place with plenty of drinking water and good privacy behind walls.

We all sat on the back balcony and took part in preparing another great pasta. Before this we enjoyed fried sweet potatoes that Cal cooked.

13/7/2015  Murunda to Rubengera

D30, T2.5 Av10.14 , max29, 42893 7,864 evening

Clear warm day, about 25 degree, sou easter blowing , cool

It had been a comfortable night in the coolish air sleeping in my sleeping bag in the hotel room. All my riding clothes had been washed last night, initially hung outside then hung over night in the room. This method usually sees them dry in the morning.

We could not find any tomatoes or onions for the road but bought some bread. It was a slow but steady climb all morning. The countryside these people farm in so steep. Two men were seen tilling a small plot by hand. This is a sure sign the dry season is upon us. Any rain would have just washed all the soil on down the hill. Many plots were planted in sweet potatoes.

Not so many children were on this road.

At the summit we stopped at village and bought some fresh pineapples and ate them on the side of the road with the usual crowd.

Here we stocked up on tomatoes and onions. It is quite an art to see if we can transport tomatoes and avocadoes on these rough roads without them being pureed.

I have bought a good plastic container with a lock lid. As long as the tomatoes inside are packed tight and cannot move they will make the journey ok. Avocadoes are best packed tight amongst clothing or other soft material.

Coming down the hill was not as bad a yesterday the road was much better, not so many large rocks protruding from its surface. Pedro got a flat tyre on the rear. He had put a cheap Chinese tyre on and a rock had pierced the tread.

It was a short day though we were very tired and hungry on arrival in Rubengera. Here we found a great buffet restaurant. The meal was one of the best we have had for months. It was a huge balanced plate with salads and greens with fish, there was even beetroot.

We then looked for a hotel and after much negotiation secured a room at the Ubucuti lodge, it was luxury for us with an in room shower!

It was very comfortable with an ensuite, though the power was out most of the early evening. We wandered back to the same restaurant for more luxury uptake. Here they cook the buffet for lunch and keep it warm all day into the evening. So, basically you are eating the leftovers at night. Getting in at lunch time is the best.

The mosquitos here in the hotel were vicious, especially at dusk. The hotel had nets above the beds.

14/7/2015  Rubengera to Gitarama

D53, T23.3 Av14.58 , max66, 42,946 7,917

Clear warm day, about 25 degree, sou easter blowing , cool

On leaving another final farewell to Pedro was made. He is heading to the lake at Kibuye, then down to Nyungwe National park before heading to Kigali.

It had been a great couple of weeks riding together again.

We are heading east to the capital.

Leaving town it was almost 20km to the top of the first big hill.

Many of the cyclists hauling produce were seen on the road, a few trucks and cars, Toyota coaster buses to and from Kigali and numerous pedestrians.

Somewhere going up this hill, I pulled a muscle on the top side of my thigh. Though a bit painful it was no problem. I rode Cals bike for a few km, his could have stretched the muscle, as his seat is much higher than mine.

We met up with a local road cyclist who had ridden from Kigali. He led us down the 20km descent on the other side. It was great as some of the corners were gravel.

We stayed together, till the downhill ceased. He could not speak English so communication was restricted to gestures.

We stopped for a quick bite and gave him an avocado roll.

It was difficult riding again. There is no flat land at the bottom of the hills. It is 50mk/hr down the hills and back to 5km/hr as soon as you get to the bottom and start ascending again. Wherever we stop there is always an audience gathered within 5 minutes. The locals are very quiet and are just inquisitive. Few speak English.

We had lunch under some gum trees on the road side near Nyange. I have found some great Moroccan sardines.

A bowl of chopped tomato, capsicum, onions with lots of fresh ginger, garlic and chilli flakes liberally sprinkled with black pepper and salt mixed with the sardines and their oil makes an extremely flavoursome meal on the road for lunch.

Once in the city of Gitarama, it took some time to find a suitably priced motel.

In doing so, whilst parked outside, Ben was on his bike and someone stole his thongs from under a cargo net on the rear. He was very annoyed.

We ended up staying at the Magnificat bar Hotel. Dinner was another huge buffet in town. The power went out on our way into town, people just carry on as normal in the dark.

It is amazing the number of people on the streets in the evening. Again, mosquitoes were buzzing us in the rooms. There were nets hanging above the beds, thankfully.

Water is quite a problem here. We always keep a look out for roadside wells in the villages. 5L of water from a shop is 1500 francs or $AU2.50, so it is not cheap.  There is no way locals would pay this daily, so they must be getting potable water from somewhere. We think they boil it.

We use the shower water supplied at motels for cooking, as long as it is boiled.

 

 

 

15/7/2015  Gitarama to Nyabugogo, Kigali

D52, T3.1 Av15.68 , max74, 43,011 7,969

Clear warm day, about 25 degree, sou easter blowing , cool

My leg had been aching during the night, it is a muscle on the top side of the thigh. I am going to have to watch this.

The puncture in my front tyre was repaired, two holes were found. The tyre has not been removed from the rim for nearly a year. The tyre had moulded onto it and was holding air like a tubless tyre. Some days it would go down a little and others none. I guess hitting bumps may have let little amounts of air out. My steering dampener spring was also replaced, it had been stretch the other day when my bike fell over.

We finally got away about 0900. The road was quite busy but safe as there was a good shoulder all the way.

We saw a few road bikers out on training rides.

My thigh was a little painful, plus I had a touch of diarrhoea, so was feeling a bit flat.

The hills were hard work.

We got to one village, there was a clothing market in progress, the guys went to have a look whilst I looked after their bikes.

Further on, we stopped at a pub for a cold coke and kebabs. My stomach was still churning and a visit was needed to the toilet.

The downhill runs were great on the very smooth tarmac. There was a great descent after we climbed from town. My hat blew off down 60km/hr. The brakes were applied heavily and a hasty return made some 200 metres up the hill before a car ran over it.

We stopped at Runda to look for accommodation, what was available was either booked or surrounded by drinkers and a garden bar.

We decided to keep riding on into Kigali, it was quite a flat ride into the outskirts of the city by Rwandan standards. We stopped at a well and filled up our water bottles with drinking water.

Another few km saw us reach the district of Nyabugogo, here we came across a lot of lodges and finally booked one after checking all of them.

It was an effort to get the bikes up the stairs, the manager kindly helped us.

We had a great meal near the taxi park, the streets here were unbelievably crowded just on dark as people were heading home. It really was like an ants nest, we were members of the colony as well.

1/7/2015   Gisenyi to Cyimbiri camp, Congo Nile trail

D35, T5 Av10.85, max46.42, 42,831 7,802

Clear warm day, about 25 degree, sou easter blowing , cool

I finally got these writings posted and up to date on my website last night, it was a very late night, 0330 to be exact.

My phone was tethered to the laptop, the internet was very fast, faster than any internet cafe.

The big problem was that during my app updates, Canon has renewed their wifi app for their cameras. The updated version is not available in Rwanda. So, I can no longer send pics to my phone via wifi.

I had a swim in the lake which was very refreshing.

As we left town we rode around the lake shore on asphalt to the brewery then turned and got onto the trail. It was just a track. The views of Lake Kivu were stunning from the track.

Some of the climbs were extremely steep, though none of us had to get off and walk.

We passed through a number of small villages on the way. Many people were drying the small fish they catch in the lake.

At the turnoff to the lake, there was a small hydro power station in the gully it was feed by small penstocks running down the steep hill. Down at the lakeshore we got to a village and the lodge where we were going to stay. The manager said we could not camp on the lake shore infront of the village, instead we had to pay to camp inside the grounds of the lodge.

It was a beautiful place, right on the lakeshore. There were dozens of people watching us from the locked gate into the lodge. The boys and I negotiated a price and began to set up our tents. Pedro was not happy with the cost, so negotiated another price.

He had to camp a little way from the shore, however.

We did not care to much as we were tired, we thought the price was fair and wanted to settle in and have a swim.

It was one of the best campsites for a long time. The lake was remarkably clean and free from Bilharzia. The waters were a lovely temperature.

As the sunset behind a cloudy horizon, fishermen were setting nets. We had another great pasta dish.

 

 

12/7/2015 Cyimbiri camp, Congo Nile trail to Murunda

D32, T3.2 Av9.56, max28.87, 42863 7,834

Clear warm day, about 25 degree, sou easter blowing , cool

Once again sleeping under the stars in the tent makes for a brilliant sleep. Only having had 2 hours sleep last night. I was almost asleep as I zipped the tent up at 2100.

Awake at 0530. I copied some photos across to my laptop to post on instagram. Since updated many apps on my S4. Two now don’t work. Canon in their wisdom have changed the app to use wifi on their cameras and consequently it is not available in Rwanda and map with me is not available here. So, the enjoyment I got from live feeds on instagram is gone. Hopefully, the Canon app will be available in Tanzania.

We all went in for a good swim in the lake waters and generally took our time.

In the early morning at camp the fisherman were hauling in a net, The whole village it seemed were on the shores watching. The resultant catch was minimal.

Locals had told us that very few fish are caught in the lake. This was due to overfishing in the past. We were told the government is thinking of closing the fishery for a year to let stocks recover. In the small villages we passed through all day. The people were drying fresh caught small fish from the lake .The food chain is possibly broken at this point. These fish never get a chance to mature either

Pedro had to repair something that touches the spokes on his front wheel from a rack. Bens seat was loose again. He also had a load of honey come out of a bottle in his pannier. Murphys law applies on the rough roads, if something can happen it will. One must prepare accordingly.

Sailing instiled this mentality in myself.

It was a climb back up to the trail. From here, it was pretty much climbing until 1500 hrs. The road was rough with large rocks sticking out of the surface. Pedro fell off a couple of times going up step sections. He also had to replace a rear tyre that had done 18,000km, the trye was breaking free of the wire that holds it in the rim.

Bens seat continued to come loose. In a village before the big descent into Murunda we managed to find a spring washer to solve the problem. A photo of one was the only way to describe what we wanted.

Most people out here don’t know even basic English, which is understandable, they speak their local language and a little French.

We bought peanuts here. The peanuts are not as good as those sold in Uganda, so stock up there if you like them.

.

In one coastal village, that of Nkora Fishers village we stopped for chapatti and bought avocadoes and tomatoes.

We are eating so many avocadoes, that some observations came be made. One of those is that eating two or more avocados makes one pass wind relentlessly. All of us have this problem to some extent, me especially.

There are Eucalypt trees growing almost everywhere. In one particularly small steep gully some men were felling trees and cutting the logs into timber, it was such a difficult site to be doing such dangerous work. They were wearing no shoes. One man yelled to me for some water. Our water supplies were low as well.

With all the steep climbing were are doing, my legs really ache after we stop for a period, though once riding again this soon dissipates.

Lunch was enjoyed in the heavy shade of a Eucalypt forest. A hot chocolate was so nice after the strenuous riding prior.

Once at the top of the last range we had a huge descent down into Murunda. Here the only lodge in the village was booked. It was a clean tidy place with plenty of drinking water and good privacy behind walls.

We all sat on the back balcony and took part in preparing another great pasta. Before this we enjoyed fried sweet potatoes that Cal cooked.

13/7/2015  Murunda to Rubengera

D30, T2.5 Av10.14 , max29, 42893 7,864 evening

Clear warm day, about 25 degree, sou easter blowing , cool

It had been a comfortable night in the coolish air sleeping in my sleeping bag in the hotel room. All my riding clothes had been washed last night, initially hung outside then hung over night in the room. This method usually sees them dry in the morning.

We could not find any tomatoes or onions for the road but bought some bread. It was a slow but steady climb all morning. The countryside these people farm in so steep. Two men were seen tilling a small plot by hand. This is a sure sign the dry season is upon us. Any rain would have just washed all the soil on down the hill. Many plots were planted in sweet potatoes.

Not so many children were on this road.

At the summit we stopped at village and bought some fresh pineapples and ate them on the side of the road with the usual crowd.

Here we stocked up on tomatoes and onions. It is quite an art to see if we can transport tomatoes and avocadoes on these rough roads without them being pureed.

I have bought a good plastic container with a lock lid. As long as the tomatoes inside are packed tight and cannot move they will make the journey ok. Avocadoes are best packed tight amongst clothing or other soft material.

Coming down the hill was not as bad a yesterday the road was much better, not so many large rocks protruding from its surface. Pedro got a flat tyre on the rear. He had put a cheap Chinese tyre on and a rock had pierced the tread.

It was a short day though we were very tired and hungry on arrival in Rubengera. Here we found a great buffet restaurant. The meal was one of the best we have had for months. It was a huge balanced plate with salads and greens with fish, there was even beetroot.

We then looked for a hotel and after much negotiation secured a room at the Ubucuti lodge, it was luxury for us with an in room shower!

It was very comfortable with an ensuite, though the power was out most of the early evening. We wandered back to the same restaurant for more luxury uptake. Here they cook the buffet for lunch and keep it warm all day into the evening. So, basically you are eating the leftovers at night. Getting in at lunch time is the best.

The mosquitos here in the hotel were vicious, especially at dusk. The hotel had nets above the beds.

14/7/2015  Rubengera to Gitarama

D53, T23.3 Av14.58 , max66, 42,946 7,917

Clear warm day, about 25 degree, sou easter blowing , cool

On leaving another final farewell to Pedro was made. He is heading to the lake at Kibuye, then down to Nyungwe National park before heading to Kigali.

It had been a great couple of weeks riding together again.

We are heading east to the capital.

Leaving town it was almost 20km to the top of the first big hill.

Many of the cyclists hauling produce were seen on the road, a few trucks and cars, Toyota coaster buses to and from Kigali and numerous pedestrians.

Somewhere going up this hill, I pulled a muscle on the top side of my thigh. Though a bit painful it was no problem. I rode Cals bike for a few km, his could have stretched the muscle, as his seat is much higher than mine.

We met up with a local road cyclist who had ridden from Kigali. He led us down the 20km descent on the other side. It was great as some of the corners were gravel.

We stayed together, till the downhill ceased. He could not speak English so communication was restricted to gestures.

We stopped for a quick bite and gave him an avocado roll.

It was difficult riding again. There is no flat land at the bottom of the hills. It is 50mk/hr down the hills and back to 5km/hr as soon as you get to the bottom and start ascending again. Wherever we stop there is always an audience gathered within 5 minutes. The locals are very quiet and are just inquisitive. Few speak English.

We had lunch under some gum trees on the road side near Nyange. I have found some great Moroccan sardines.

A bowl of chopped tomato, capsicum, onions with lots of fresh ginger, garlic and chilli flakes liberally sprinkled with black pepper and salt mixed with the sardines and their oil makes an extremely flavoursome meal on the road for lunch.

Once in the city of Gitarama, it took some time to find a suitably priced motel.

In doing so, whilst parked outside, Ben was on his bike and someone stole his thongs from under a cargo net on the rear. He was very annoyed.

We ended up staying at the Magnificat bar Hotel. Dinner was another huge buffet in town. The power went out on our way into town, people just carry on as normal in the dark.

It is amazing the number of people on the streets in the evening. Again, mosquitoes were buzzing us in the rooms. There were nets hanging above the beds, thankfully.

Water is quite a problem here. We always keep a look out for roadside wells in the villages. 5L of water from a shop is 1500 francs or $AU2.50, so it is not cheap.  There is no way locals would pay this daily, so they must be getting potable water from somewhere. We think they boil it.

We use the shower water supplied at motels for cooking, as long as it is boiled.

 

 

 

15/7/2015  Gitarama to Nyabugogo, Kigali

D52, T3.1 Av15.68 , max74, 43,011 7,969

Clear warm day, about 25 degree, sou easter blowing , cool

My leg had been aching during the night, it is a muscle on the top side of the thigh. I am going to have to watch this.

The puncture in my front tyre was repaired, two holes were found. The tyre has not been removed from the rim for nearly a year. The tyre had moulded onto it and was holding air like a tubless tyre. Some days it would go down a little and others none. I guess hitting bumps may have let little amounts of air out. My steering dampener spring was also replaced, it had been stretch the other day when my bike fell over.

We finally got away about 0900. The road was quite busy but safe as there was a good shoulder all the way.

We saw a few road bikers out on training rides.

My thigh was a little painful, plus I had a touch of diarrhoea, so was feeling a bit flat.

The hills were hard work.

We got to one village, there was a clothing market in progress, the guys went to have a look whilst I looked after their bikes.

Further on, we stopped at a pub for a cold coke and kebabs. My stomach was still churning and a visit was needed to the toilet.

The downhill runs were great on the very smooth tarmac. There was a great descent after we climbed from town. My hat blew off down 60km/hr. The brakes were applied heavily and a hasty return made some 200 metres up the hill before a car ran over it.

We stopped at Runda to look for accommodation, what was available was either booked or surrounded by drinkers and a garden bar.

We decided to keep riding on into Kigali, it was quite a flat ride into the outskirts of the city by Rwandan standards. We stopped at a well and filled up our water bottles with drinking water.

Another few km saw us reach the district of Nyabugogo, here we came across a lot of lodges and finally booked one after checking all of them.

It was an effort to get the bikes up the stairs, the manager kindly helped us.

We had a great meal near the taxi park, the streets here were unbelievably crowded just on dark as people were heading home. It really was like an ants nest, we were members of the colony as well.

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