Rwandan Road Trip 2023

Hi guys. I wanted to share a little road trip around Rwanda I went on with friends. 

 

Camping at Akagera

Lots of fun last weekend, camping at Akagera National Park in Eastern Province. Close encounters of the wild and wonderful kind.

The Secret Garden

Last week I went to visit my friend at Bugesera Nursery (Instagram) about an hour south of Kigali. She has quite an incredible garden, so I thought I'd share.

The Cat With Nine Lives

 

A sad day, saying goodbye to my amazing car, Kitty. Many wonderful adventures had and memories made. But hopefully not the end of the road.

Fun Month in Kigali

Hi guys.

So, I've mentioned my struggle before. I've been getting into videos more and there's only enough time in the day to write and edit or take videos and edit, I can't do both consistently. As I've spent several years blogging, and as Blogger itself is getting a bit blah (so many layout and template bugs it's horribly annoying), I've decided to post my latest video updates rather than write them all up.

So, here's what's been going on lately:

More about that hash:

And there's also been a lot of talk lately as a young woman, Liliane Mugabekazi, faces two years in jail for wearing a revealing outfit to a music concert. If you want to hear more about that, you can click here.

So, I know that people who have been following my blog might not be as interested in videos. It's certainly been a turbulent transition for me, as I've always preferred being behind the camera, but I think I'm settling into it now and, although there's a lot less writing content, it is fun to show you around my neighbourhood. Let me know what you think, what you'd like to see more of, and, if you wouldn't mind awfully, consider subscribing to the channel and liking the videos you enjoy. 

Moto Journeys in Kigali

Hi guys!

I know I've been shockingly bad at updates for a long time, but I've been spending a bit of time videoing moto journeys around Kigali. It started with this trip:

And then people suggested other places to go.

So far we've been to Rebero, Nyamirambo and Gikondo.

Thought it would make a fun interim post. I try to upload in 4k but the internet can be a bit prohibitive, so the larger ones are regular HD. If you enjoy, subscribe to my channel and bookmark this page. I'll add more trips as they occur. 

Art and Kittens

I've posted in the past about talented Rwandan artist Daddy Ishimwe, who goes by the brushname Daddyisme. I was invited to hang out at a gallery the other week and finally got to see the original Black Mona Lisa, which is one of his most famous pieces. He's even made a rap video promoting the piece. The gallery is at 41 KG 601. It's open every day except Sundays, but there's no sign outside, so you wouldn't know it's there. Apparently it belongs to the guy who runs Envision café up the road, which Daddy also painted. 

There are some wonderful pieces inside the gallery, such as this painting of President Kagame, entirely painted from tiny images of agaseki baskets (Rwandan peace baskets).

Selekarts

Biratonny
His art is inspired by his mother who
died in the genocide.

Bless__aine

Not sure of this artist's name?

Mugishapablo
I honestly thought this was a photo!

More of Daddy's art.

Background he painted for a TV show.
Based on the reed screens at Nyanza.

He is also working on a whole-room 3D exhibit where you feel like you're floating in space, surrounded by clouds. It's really amazing, but I can't share until it's complete.

Striking poses with Daddy and my friend Key.

Wire sculptures at the gallery.

Key - artistic pose
Artist _17_arts_

It was really nice to see some art as there aren't that many places in Kigali that have permanent displays. I'm not sure why they don't advertise it. Everything is sort of hidden away, so you wouldn't know it was there unless you knew one of the artists. 

In other news, I have a new kitten.

He still needs a name. Just can't think of a good one. Here come a gratuitous number of kitten pics...

Aaah, yes, he is cute, but he is also a little shit.

He is pretty good at not shredding my expensive net curtains, but every now and then he gets excited and forgets.

Round up of other stuff:

Giant moth.

Had a lovely lunch at my friends' house, Pieter and Isma. Good to catch up as we hadn't seen each other in a long time. A lovely spread and a nice little garden where they are growing tree tomatoes (tamarillo). I did not know this, but apparently tamarillo only lasts for one season and then dies!

Had a beautiful, misty morning.

Popped over to CasaKeza to see the rabbits. 

I got all dressed up for my neighbour's wedding, but I'll write a separate post about that as I need to sort through the photos.

Went out for a lovely Indian with my friend Jan and Gerry. There's a new place up the road that look like a Mondrian. It's called Red Handi, at the top of the road from RDB going down to Nyarutarama Tennis Club, and the food is spectacular. We gorged ourselves on starters.