Thursday 17 November 2011

A while on the Nile

Finally returned to Jinja, this time atop Tuskin (whom I affectionately nicknamed Seabiscuit), the oldest horse at Nile Horseback Safaris. Also the slowest. And the hungriest. I didn't think we'd ever make it to Bujagali Falls between my steed stopping every couple of seconds to gnaw the bark off a passing tree or uproot a bunch of appetizing weeds (in hindsight, perhaps Seabiscuit wasn't the most fitting of nicknames. Should have gone for something less 'racy'...like Old Yeller). In true Ugandan fashion, it rained cats and dogs and horses for the first hour of the ride, but the views were still spectacular, and if anything, the rain helped me out massively with my allergies. I am severely allergic to horses, which has proven to be a bit of a hindrance to my cowgirl aspirations. Usually even after doubling up on the daily recommended dose of meds, I still come off the horse looking a little more a like a blowfish than a human. But magically, the rain seemed to suppress the horse dander, so I was able to nuzzle into Tuskin/Seabiscuit's mane relatively carefree!
Bujagali Falls behind me, a very wet and grumpy horse under me
Don't let the name fool you; Bujagali Falls are not falls at all, but rather a 1km chain of raging rapids in the Nile. They nonetheless still make for a pretty picture, and the Falls are said to be one the best whitewater rafting destinations in the world. The second hour of our trail meandered though the villages along the river; I kept an eye out for the Bujagali Doctor but he was probably off smoking his pipe.
Carolin and I post-ride, keepin' it classy

2 comments:

  1. How about "Spirit, stallion of the cimarron?" for your steed? What do you say? I say indeed :)

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  2. Nah, that reminds me too much of cinnamon, which is only worsening the pumpkin pie cravings that started way back in the Thanksgiving season. Send me a slice, and i'll send you some of Tuskin's droppings.

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