Our our Way to Villa Gorilla for Henry's Birthday!

So.. here it is exactly two years later and I'm finally getting to the rest of the days Rob and Michelle and boys were with us in  Rwanda! ( warning...  long blog)

Henry and Oscar were up early in the morning

 so we watched the birds and fed them, too!

The boys watching the birds in the morning!

But most importantly we fed them…
even before everyone else was up!! 

Today we headed North to celebrate Henry's birthday at
Villa Gorilla!

This guy greeted us.. or should I say tried to scare us off! 

Henry wasn't too sure about his party place… at first..  

                                We were shown to our rooms and  

                                                 found Michele, puppy asleep.

Ok.. things are looking up as the boys check out their room! 

Family picture outside the Villa..  but wait..
a little girl has come to join the portrait!

Every time!!!  Cute addition to the family, don't you think?  

The kids on the street were just as curious about the muzungu kids as they are them. 

Seriously, curious!! 

Time for the tablets.. but Wyatt was sharing his! 

The phone works here?  
Getting snuggled up because it is getting chilly.

So they brought out the charcoal heaters that 

make the room toasty woasty!! 

Hot cocoa anyone? 

Waiting for dinner!! 

Wy still doesn't have his tablet back but
I think he is loving sharing. 

The boys are in the front seat and it is time for the drummers, singing and dancers to entertain us before dinner.  Wonder what they are thinking? Besides.. the fact that they are so tired!

Let the celebration begin!! 

Now it is time for everyone to dance!!!  Up and at 'em!

Oscar not too sure about this whole thing! 

Wyatt cuttin' loose!! 

Trying to learn the steps!

The leader takes charge! 

The boys get the Inhore Hair!! 

 And the boys become the newest Inhore Dancers!

and doggy Michele... is just unimpressed! 

Oscar enjoying from afar with Mom and Dad!

Protecting the Property!

WHAT is NEXT? 

Rob helping get the fire going since it will be dark soon.

Then the new drummers took over!

 Love this picture of joy and fun for the boys!

The smoke is starting and the dancers continue.

Yeah!!! It's going!

Michelle is so graceful!! 

She did it!!! 

Oscar is trying with his new friend next to him!

And STILL they dance.. What a show we had!

Baskets on heads ...

And Banana Beer, too! 

I think Wyatt has Rwandese blood!

 He seems to be a natural!

 As the dancing concludes the volcano becomes more visible!

And then out comes the staff to sing to Henry for is birthday! 

Henry was a bit tired but he is trying to take it all in.  

And here comes the Cake!

And then the candle.. or the fireworks!! 

It brought lots of excitement!! 

The chef was so proud of his creation and it was very cool!! 

Henry and Grampa inside for dinner!

And then there was morning!

 Still under the clouds so we can't see the peak!

Meeting a passerby with his Chickens! 

 Getting to see himself on the camera... a new experience for him. 

Walking down to the craft store!

Big beautiful Eucalyptus Trees along the way! 
and Yes..  it smells just like a sauna!

Little loves helping mommy by getting fire wood to
cook with for dinner 

The bungalows near the main building.

Rob waiting to get a picture of the volcano.. if it shows its peak!

Some kind of gourds growing on the roof!

After breakfast we headed to 
Iwacu Cultural Village...
The King and Queens' Hut

 The village has a new King and Queen!

In their new home. 

We have to take our shoes off to visit inside.

The King welcomes us....

Henry is lovin' this!

Inside the King's Hut--So very cool under all the thatching
on the roof.  

The Kings' Bed...  I wonder if this is where
"King Size" came from!  

And then...  We were greeted by our tour guides...
dancing all the way! 

They led us to the dance!

To the medicine man first though...

Making us a brew!!

Help is needed!!  Wyatt to the rescue!

Yum... looks like it will cure anything, doesn't it? 

 Certainly all natural

 Oh dear.. I have forgotten this but i think it is metal
work from local tin. 

The Large Bamboo Shoots here make great instruments!

Then we had to grind the grain for bread.

And the most fun for the boys....
Shooting arrows to get this evenings dinner.

                                                           Ready, Aim ...Fire!

 Oh wait.. the girls liked this, too!! 

And grampa, as well.

Here comes the wedding procession!!!

The bride is carried in...

the villagers bring gifts on their heads ...

and sing and clap all the way to this hut..

Where the bride is deemed pure
for the wedding or not!

She was!! 

And so the celebration continues!! 

 This man.. in the front could imitate a gorilla better than
most gorillas could.  He was incredible and a great dancer, too!

Bruce plays the drums for the dancing.  

These little ones are not impressed. ha!

And then the real dancing started. 

The horn section!!!  Literally-- cow horns!

The jumping dancers!! 

 Blue, Green and Yellow are the national colors of Rwanda!

These folk LOVE to dance and make everyone SMILE!!

               Hard to describe this gorilla dance but it was awesome. 

He even eats the branches!

And then, as always everyone gets into the line! 

 Then the Batwa begin the thank yous for us coming... 

They thanked the boys, too..  Not sure where Henry was. 

 and that was the Cultural Village!

What a birthday to remember...  I sure hope Henry will be able to when he gets older..  This was a great day
with great people... 


Especially Rob and Michelle and the boys!!

love,
margie/mom/gramma