Christmas in Kigali

Just a little vlogmas post about life in Kigali in the run-up to Christmas.

Memorial and Cultural Tours in Kigali

I'm helping my friend plot out some tourist routes around Kigali on a motorbike. So far, I've figured out a memorial tour, for people who want to know more about the recent history of Rwanda and the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, and also a cultural one that includes some very cute vervet monkeys. I'm discovering parts of Kigali I'd never been to before. 

Beautiful Flower Pastries

 

I had a lovely time at EyaMya in Kimihurura the other day. Pak and Joy showed me how to make their iconic flower pastries and we did a traditional Chiense tea tasting.

Full Gisenyi Trip

Recently went on a weekend trip up to Gisenyi for a friend's hotel opening. 

Here's the full adventure.

Inyoni Hotel in Gisenyi

 

I recently went up to Gisenyi in north-west Rwanda. My friend has just opened a new hotel there and it was lovely. Had a stunning view of Lake Kivu and a very well-stocked bar. If you're heading in that direction, check out the video description on YouTube for a discount code. It's a really nice get-away from the city. Check out Inyoni on Instagram and their website.

Exploring Kimironko Market

 

Had a lovely day out at the isoko last week with my friend Leandre from Ultimate Africa Travels. Kimironko Market is pure chaos but you gotta experience it if you're visiting Rwanda.

Agitation August

 

Had a lovely time talking to Margaret Pinard on her YouTube channel last night. As part of Agitation August I was talking about a book that really shook me up. I chose Emergency Sex: True Stories from a War Zone which had a huge impact on me when I first moved to Rwanda. We talk about everything from the state of international development, to youth unemployment, and the meaning of life - just small things. There's a lot more laughs than I make that sound! Turn on the live chat replay for extra entertainment, and if you could lightly bother the like button, it would be much appreciated. 

Once Upon a Time...

Hi guys. I kept a blog for the two years I spent in Rwanda as a VSO volunteer from 2007 to 2009. It feels like a lifetime ago. I still live in Rwanda today, having left and returned, and I thought it would be really fun to look back at my early scribblings and compare life then to life now. So, I started a YouTube vlog to read back through it and add some updates. This is the first episode above, and you can find the full playlist here. It's surprising both how much has changes and how much is the same twenty years later.

If you're planning a trip to Rwanda or if you're thinking about moving here and you want to chat through your plans, you can now book in for a Zoom chat through Buy Me a Coofee.

Kanyinya Canopy Walk

A lovely day out at Kanyinya Canopy Walk, about 30 minutes north of Kigali on the road to Musanze. A little tricky to find, but totally worth it. When you pull off onto the dirt track, take the second left, not the first (which GPS tells you to take) in order to reach the bridge.

First Ever Female Ride Day in Rwanda

It was a huge pleasure to be part of the first ever International Female Ride Day (IFRD) in Rwanda, organised by my friend Mingina. More pictures here.

Walking Tour of Gikondo with Talking Through Art

Such a fun day out with Talking Through Art (Instagram) who provide work for over 100 women with disabilities in Rwanda. They took me on their cultural walking tour. Highly recommended. Great way to discover the back streets of Kiali and try some tasty food.

The Wall of Pipes

 

Is this Rwanda's best keps tourist secret?

My First Group Ride

 

I went on my first group motorbike ride!

Getting Stuff Done

 

Driving around Kigali, getting stuff done. Mostly pianos.

Kigali Hash House Harriers

Lots of fun on the Kigali Hash last weekend. It's a great way to meet people in Kigali or whichever city you live in. It's truly an international activity.

Worlds Collide Podcast - Talking About Life in Rwanda

I had a chat with Worlds Collide. It's a podcast run by Viktoria Daute, where she interviews expats around the world to find out what it's like living in different countries. I told her about my life in Rwanda. It was really good fun. You can listen to my episode here. 

Cool Bars in Kigali

 

Friends are in town and we decided to check out the night life. Come explore Kigali with us as we seek out cocktails, a good vegetarian and vegan restaurant, and an awesome jazz club.

Thoughts About Goma

 

Just some thoughts about the situation in Goma, DRC.

Oath, Boast, Toast 2025

 

Raising my drinking horn for the annual Oath, Boast and Toast. Let me know yours: what are you going to do this year? What are you proud of having done last year? Who, or what, would you like to raise a toast to?