Uganda, Africa: Day 1

I woke up in the Kenyan's jeep at 7:00 in the morning, and fortunately enough, we made it to the Emin Pasha Hotel. I paid the Kenyan $200 for the ride after he helped me move my gear into the hotel. I registered at the front desk and paid the $250 nightly fee (www.tripadvisor.com). I explained that I needed a ride to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and the staff at the hotel set me up with a driver and a tour guide.

At noon I arrived in the national park. I was almost shocked when my tour guide pointed out a group of large male silver-back gorillas. I wondered if Hemingway could have won a wrestling match with one of those bad boys. I pondered that thought as my guide and I hiked all the way to Lake Mutanda. Once we got to the lake, I watched in fascination as a hippo bit a crocodile completely in half. After watching the hippo enjoying a mid-day meal, I was reminded of my own hunger. I asked my guide if he had anything to eat, and he produced a quart-sized bag of trail mix, and two small oranges straight from his bag. As we sat there eating, I listened to him tell me all about the various types of wildlife that inhabited the lake. At about 3:00 in the afternoon, he suggested that we head back to the hotel in order to avoid any unpleasant interference from the predatory wildlife. I was able to enjoy yet another African sunset as we drove back to the Emin Pasha Hotel. After a long day of hiking and dodging crocodiles, the comfort of my bed was unbelievable. I slept like a log, or perhaps like a narcoleptic hippo.