Nelda, Kristi and Amy--Back for More!

They're back!!!  These 3 musketeers fell in love with Rwanda 

when they visited last summer so they came back to enjoy the people and the country again... And we're glad they did! 

They look terrific after such a long flight!

One of the things they wanted to do upon their
return was visit the rain forest, Nyungwe!
So, after church, lunch at Heaven, a local restaurant and a relaxing day we got up on Monday and headed southwest!

This lumber mill isn't far from the forest..
but it is on the edge of the refugee camp.

This is a very large camp!

This was our driver, Sylve.  I called him Sly! 

From the terraced farming to the ...

luscious tea fields.... We knew we were getting closer.

But on the way before the entrance.. i stopped to take a picture of Patrick's house... He is a little boy we sponsor.  We called out his name but he didn't hear us.  His house was across a steep valley.

But then we got to the entrance...

And we had a lot of folks greet us!
 This little one with wood to cook dinner on--
on her head, of course.

And all of these smilin' faces... to say hello... Well,
 the 2 in the back look a little suspicious of us.

But not these guys.... they just come marching right toward us.
We got back in the car and then stepped out carefully
to get a couple of shots.

This is the first shot of the canopy once you enter the forest.
But it was really hazy today so not the best picture.


Then we had to complete the awful drive into and through the forest.  There is one stretch of road that is just so rough and winding.. but then it gets better toward the end...about 1/2 hour
before you reach the Lodge.

We finally got there.. greeted by the staff with hot towels for us to refresh our faces and hands. After some delicious
homemade passion fruit juice we were taken to our rooms.

We opened the curtains that led out to our small veranda
and look who was waiting for us.  

"Uh-oh...they've seen us now!"
Can't believe they both have their mouths covered.  

 Aren't they cute?  They are "Golden Monkeys".

Nelda peeking in through the bath room... shutters!

Then at 5pm it was back to the lodge for Tea Time...
Not just any ordinary time, though because this young
man taught us all about how tea is processed. 

We tried the best and the worst, called 'dust'... 

All the tea was steeping over candles...

Once it was done we enjoyed it with some
small cookies and peanuts! 

This was wonderful every afternoon.... to just sit back and relax.  

And of course, in the evening.... our waiter set us right ahead of the fireplace and then he kept the blaze going all evening.

Our waiter was gracious enough to
take a picture of us all together.

A great dinner followed with lots of
fun conversation and laughter.

Then it was back to our rooms.
But on the way the crystal clear sky
was brimming with stars.....
in a different sky from that in the States!

Simply beautiful..

A great way to start our time in Nyungwe!

love,
margie