CAPE BOJEADOR LIGHTHOUSE

Location:  Burgos, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Updated: November 2019

For tourists, this is known to be Burgos Lighthouse or the locals call it as Faro Cabo Cape Bojeado, being located in the municipality of Burgos of Ilocos Norte where it lies on a hill overlooking the South China Sea just approximately 35 kilometers north of the City of Laoag. Unlike other lighthouses in the country, this one which was built in 1892 is still operational serving ships passing by the northern part of South China Sea.

The stairs leading to the lighthouse

As per record, this lighthouse is considered to be highest in the Philippines erected on top of a hill named Vigia de Nagparitan with an estimated total height of around 160 meters and tower height of 17 meters. The light coming from it flashes once in every minute. This was actually completed on the 30th day of March, 1892 where its design and construction was undertaken by the Engineer Magin Pers y Pers but was subsequently reconfigured and finished by the Engineer Guillermo Brockman. Its tower is octagonally-shaped and has an inner dimension of two meters and an exterior dimension of three and half meters.

November 2019 picture with the lighthouse at the background

The lighthouse as captured from its rear point taken on November 2019 visit

A lighthouse inner compound frontal shot taken in November 2019

The low-lying plains as seen from the huge window of the lighouse

Because it is the most visited lighthouse in the country due to its accessibility, its pavilion has now been transformed into a mini-museum as well as lodging for guests who wanted to stay in the place for overnight or two, though except from shared cooking facilities and water from the cistern, no other amenities are provided.

Just about to climb the lighthouse tower

How to Get There:

From Laoag/Baguio/Vigan or La union : Follow the northwestern coastal national highway that is commonly used going to Ilocos provinces until you've reached some dramatic and exhilirating view of the sea and upon reaching the town of Burgos in Ilocos Norte. There is a sign board at the right side of the highway indicating the entrance to the winding road leading to the base of cape Bojeador Lighthouse.

Relaxing on the closed huge window of the lighthouse base building

PICNIC GROVE (TAGAYTAY CITY)

I have been to Tagaytay City for a number of times since 1993 for leisure tours and seminars/retreats but it was only this time that I spent the whole day at the Picnic Grove just to unwind together with a friend. In my previous tour to this majestic destination, I used to hop from one point to another and compressed my time for a day tour or two to include: Palace in the Sky or People's Park, the Pink Sisters Convent, Tagaytay Highlands, Club Balai Isabel, Picnic Grove and some other parts of this cool city. But this time, I just stayed in one place for the whole day, that is, at the Picnic Grove.



You may wonder, how I spent the whole day in this park. Of course, there are so many activities that one can engage with in the park like: the Eco-Trail, Hanging Bridge, Zipline and Cable car, horse back riding, fish spa and the viewdeck itself offers an amazing scenery.



Of course, I did not ride in the zipline and cable car nor engaged myself in horseback riding. I find it less exciting. I stayed more time at the viewdeck and took with us some food while I was at one of the picnic huts which we rented. If one intends to stay overnight in the park, there is a hostel to accommodate guests at affordable rates.

The following information may help you to budget your visit to this cool place:

Park Entrance Fee - P50 per head (4 years old and above)

Parking Fees:

P50 - cars/jeepney/van/coaster
P100 - bus

Horseback riding is at P200 for one hour

Zipline and Cable Car rates:

One-way

P200 - Weekdays
P300 - Weekends

Two-way

P300 - Weekdays
P400 - Weekends

Cottage Rentals:

Tables - P100
Picnic Huts - P150
Family Sheds - P300
Pavilion - P500

The viewdeck can be rented for P2,500 for any function.

The park is maintained by the Local Government of Tagaytay and for more information, you may contact them at their telefax (046) 4830346.

3B REST HOUSES (ANTIPOLO CITY)

The 6-feet deep swimming pool

3B Rest Houses which is located in Baltao Subdivision in Antipolo City has six units for rental and each unit has its own swimming pool. Since it is outside the city proper, guests are assured that the place is peaceful and there is privacy since each unit can be affordably exclusively rented just for one group.

Overlooking the pool from the third level

Each unit is spacious equipped with bedrooms/restrooms, kitchen with cooking facilities, comfort and shower rooms. It has a freezer where guests can store their food while they are spending time in the resort. Definitely, guests can cook because of the provision of kitchen facilities including grilling and roasting. The dining/multi-purpose hall can accommodate as many as 100 persons.

The kitchen and its facilities

Our group for instance has occupied a unit where it was equipped with three bedrooms where we rested after an exhausting swim. Others opted to stay in the dining and function hall for the videoki which is also provided. Fortunately, a part of the pool was covered with a shade and so even if it was already almost high noon, some of us still stayed in the pool for a relaxing swim.

Bedrooms with a capacity of four twin-beds

Indeed, the place is highly recommended for company outings, family outings, birthdays, weddings, and or any other special occasions. This place can be enjoyed all year round including summer where everybody wants to escape the hot temperature in the metropolis. This is the best option to go considering its proximity from Manila.

Preparing for a refreshing swim

Our group who stayed here for one day from 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. enjoyed our time as we cooked our food, alternated to have the videoki not to mention the on and off swim in the pool. We grilled fresh bangus and tilapia as well as the juicy pork and chicken barbecue. Food then was overflowing with drinks from juice, soft to hard liquors.

The dining and function hall

The dining and multi-purpose hall can be used for corporate meetings, team-building activities, conferences and events like wedding and baptismal receptions. Our group used this part of the resort not only to dine but to have our videoki and a send-off party activity.

Part of the Metro Manila cityscape can be picturesquely captured from the resthouse

Standing from any part of Antipolo City with an elevation of 156 meters or 512 feet above sea level gives one a breathtaking and rewarding sight of Metropolitan Manila which is mostly consist of low lying areas. The city lights or the amazing nightscape of the metro can be best viewed from the resort with much splendor.

The spacious balconies and view decks

Aside from the spacious multi-purpose hall, bedrooms, receiving hall and swimming pool resting podiums, two spacious balconies are also available on both sides of the rest house located at the second level. This can also serve as view decks or watch bays if parents would like to monitor how their kids are doing while at their playful swim.

The car park area

Each of the six units of the rest houses is equipped with spaces for parking since most of the guests have their own cars and vehicles with 24-hour security services so that the parked cars and vehicles will be safe.

The two identical rest house units divided by a high concrete wall

Please note that only one unit of the six rest houses for rent is featured here. Each unit may vary as to its size, facilities and even the size of the pool. The third level of all units are accessible to the parking area since the upper part is within the road level.

A proof that each room has four twin-size beds

The following are their rental rates:

3B 1-4 : Php6,000 for 11 hours
3B 5: Php7,000 for 11 hours
3B 6: Php10,000 for 11 hours (with Aircon & good for 20-30 pax)

Guests can call for reservations. Reservations are not accepted in their Facebook page.

For more details, use the following contact details:

Landline: +632.697.2793
Mobile, SMART: 0918.5011.152
Mobile, GLOBE: 0917.2570.081
Phone: 20 69727930 / 9172570081 / 09185011152

HOW TO GET THERE

Click this link for your guide.

MOUNT PALAY-PALAY CLIMB (PICO DE LORO)

Location: Ternate, Cavite Jump-off point: Magnetic Hill, Ternate, Cavite Coordinates: 14° 12.855 N; 120° 38.785 E Elevation : 664 MASL (2,178.48 feet) Days required/Hours to summit: 1 - 2 days / 4-5 hours Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3 Descriptive Summary: Pico de Loro is known for its two peaks. The first peak can be climbed with loose soil and rocks at 45 degrees inclination while the other one is a massive monolith which not all can climb except for the brave souls. It is safer to climb this peak by using a harness. It has two known jump-off points such as this Ternate side and the Nasugbu side though some would prefer to use more difficult traverse trails. I had scaled this mountain for six times already and this very recent is dated August 9, 2014 on a day-climb. Its name was derived from the beak of a parrot since the shape of its summit resembles to it. For beginners, this mountain is better climbed overnight.

View Pico De Loro Trail in a larger map

Pico de Loro Water Falls

My stressful work schedule has barred me from having travels. But since August 8, 2014 is my birthday and it was Friday, I opted to climb alone in Pico de Loro the following day, August 9, 2014.

Breathing fresh air along Magnetic Road

August 9, 2014 was such a perfect weather as started my day boarding a city airconditioned bus transport from Starmall Edsa-Shaw to Coastal Mall Central Terminal for 45 minutes (5:30 to 6:15 A.M.) at P27. At exactly 6:32 A.M., I boarded a bus from the said terminal heading for Ternate town reaching there at 7:42 A.M. for P81 or a travel duration of 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Resting after a leisurely jog along Magnetic Road

From Ternate town, I rented a tricycle going to the DENR Registration site which was from 7:40 to 8:10 A.M. or 30 minutes including pictorials along Magnetic Road and the entry point to Puerto Azul costing P40 per head.

None of the Climbers were known to me

Since it was just a day climb, I did not bother to invite for somebody to have my buddy. After all, I can trek fast I am alone and I seldom take a rest. Though, along the trail, climbers are so cordial to greet each other. I did not stay long in the water falls and I did not take a fresh bath there. It was cold then.

The 360 degrees scenery from the Shoulder

I paid for the registration of P25 per head and started trekking from the jump-off point at 8:30 A.M. and I was at the water falls at 10:10 A.M. or 1 hour and 40 minutes trekking. Normally, this water falls becomes dry during summer.

The scenery overlooking the rugged coastline of Batangas from the summit

I left the water falls at 10:25 A.M. and arrived at the shoulder of the mountain at 11:35 A.M accounting for 1 hour and 10 minutes trekking. I stayed longer there for our lunch.

The monolith peak as viewed from the other peak

I left the shoulder at 12:35 Noon and was at the summit at 1:10 P.M. It was cold at the summit that I decided not to stay long till I started to descend at 1:35 P.M. and was at the shoulder at 2:10 P.M. The trail going down is slippery and loose clay is difficult to lock-in your foot in any given point.

The vast expanse of the Batangas side as viewed from the other peak

The jubilant climbers on the death-defying monolith



A few groups dared to scale the monolith. The foot of the monolith was crowded with climbers who wanted to scale it. Each group wanted to have a group picture with the photographer on the other peak. Being alone, I contented just savoring the cool air at the summit.

The eager climbers waiting for their turn to scale the monolith

Scaling the monolith is quite challenging and requires to have a fearless spirit but once you conquered it, that would be a personal record of achievement. I still remember the first time I scaled it in 1998, in our Millennium Climb which marked the 100 years independence day of the Philippines. It was quite memorable and my first time to climb Pico de Loro.

Descending the summit in loose dry clay and small rocks

After descending the stiff and loose rocks of from the summit, I rested at the shoulder till 2:25 P.M. and resumed the trek reaching Camp 1 at exactly 3:25 P.M. There was a 5-minute rest and resumed the trek arriving at the DENR Registration site at 4:15 P.M. Clean-up followed in the existing shower facility and left at exactly 5:00 P.M. boarding a tricycle with the same fare rate at P40 and arrived at the Ternate bus terminal at 5:35 P.M.

I caught the bus which left at 6:00 P.M. at the Coastal Mall bus terminal at 7:10 P.M. I was home in my Mandaluyong residence at 9:40 P.M.

My expenses for this climb is summarized as follows:

SN	Particulars	Amount
1.	Round Trip bus fare within Metro Manila	54
2.	Round Trip bus fare from Coastal Mall to Ternate town and vice versa	162
3.	Round Trip Tricyle fare from Ternate town to DENR Registration Site and vice versa	80
4.	Registration Fee - DENR	25
5.	Registration Fee at Camp 1	20
6.	Dinner at the DENR Registration Site with Halo-halo	75
7.	Food provision including trail food, breakfast, pack lunch and mineral water	186
	TOTAL	602

KUALA LUMPUR CITY (MALAYSIA)

Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia City Land Area: 243 sq. km. (94 sq. mi.) Metro Land Area: 2,243.27 sq. km. (866.13 sq. mi.) Coordinates: 3.15785°N 101.71165°E Year Established: 1858 Granted City Status: February 1, 1972 Granted Federal Territory: February 1, 1974 Time Zone: MST (UTC+8) Mean Solar Time: UTC+06:46:48 Descriptive Summary: Kuala Lumpur is commonly known internationally as KL, dubbed as the Garden City of Lights. According to the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, KL ranks 8th based on air traffic of the cities as top ten most popular destinations of tourism worldwide in 2013. Kuala Lumpur is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, which have become an iconic symbol of Malaysia's futuristic development.

My Kuala Lumpur trip is actually a part of my October 12-13, 2006 Malaysian Trip where I travelled from Singapore boarding Express 707 Tourist Bus heading to Kuala Lumpur. We passed through the borders of Woodland Immigration check of Singapore and Johor Bahru Immigration check of Malaysia. We arrived in Puduraya Bus Station of Kuala Lumpur after 6 hours of travel. I booked my hotel accommodation through on-line reservation, the other day when I was still in Singapore and since it was just walking distance I opted to have a leisurely walk to locate Hotel China Town 2 located at 70-72 Jalan Petaling Street.

The Petronas Twin Towers

I was impressed of Kuala Lumpur’s transportation system consisting of LRT, MRT , regular train system and buses. Drivers are disciplined and tourist desk officers will give you accurate information. It was so easy to move from one place to another as I was lucky to ask English-speaking Malaysian professionals where their giving of details was really that clear that I’ve got what I have asked for.

Part of the Petronas Twin Towers lush parks and gardens

I have only one thing in my mind when I included Kualu Lumpur in my trip’s list. That was to see and set foot in the famous Petronas Twin Towers. My idea then about these towers was quite limited into simply a tower. But roaming around, I discovered a lot of interesting things to enjoy there. The endless lush green parks and vibrant fountains were so relaxing. World-class boutiques inside a gigantic shopping mall is housed in the base of the tower.

In the foreground is the Petronas Twin Towers

My Kuala Lumpur has just revolved into Petronas Twin Towers and its vicinity. In Malay, it is called Menara Petronas or Menara Berkembar Petronas. According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH)'s official definition and ranking, they were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 to 2004. The buildings are a landmark of Kuala Lumpur, along with nearby Kuala Lumpur Tower. The following are its relevant information:

Tallest Building: 1998 to 2004
Preceded by: Willis Tower
Surpassed by: Taipei 101
Type: Commercial offices and tourist attraction
Architectural style: Post-modern architecture
Location: Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Groundbreaking: January 1, 1992
Construction started: March 1, 1993
Completed: March 1, 1996
Inaugurated: August 1, 1999
Renovated: January 1, 1997
Cost: US$1.6 billion
Owner: KLCC Holdings Sdn Bhd

Height
Architectural: 451.9 m (1,483 ft)
Roof: 378.6 m (1,242 ft)
Top floor: 375 m (1,230 ft)

Technical details
Floor count: 88 (+5 basement floors)
Floor area: 395,000 m2 (4,252,000 sq ft)
Lifts/elevators: 78

Design and construction
Architect: César Pelli
Developer: KLCC Holdings Sdn Bhd
Structural engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
Main contractor - Tower 1: Hazama Corporation
Main contractor - Tower 2: Samsung C&T Corporation

Part of the Aquaria Museum in the basement of Petronas Twin Towers

I had somebody with me when I visited Petronas Towers, a Sri Lankan staff of my hotel who served to be my guide and photographer. After a 2-hour stroll in the whole of the towers, we dined at the Burger King where I paid RM20.88 for our packaged meals. I am not really a shoppoholic, but to see what is in store in this new place, we went around.

Part of the Aquaria Museum of the Petronas Twin Towers

My guide and I tried to visit the Aquaria Museum, a giant aquarium with a few in the basement of the towers where it showcases a collection of maritime living organisms. Visitors can enjoy a number of connecting glass tunnels and see these organisms in their improvised habitat. For the two of us, I paid an entrance of RM76.

For an overnight hotel stay in Kuala Lumpur, I paid RM78 for a single-bedroom in Hotel China Town 2. Meals can be available at a number of local restaurants at an average of RM5 every meal while McDonalds can have an average of RM7 every full meal. On the other hand, Maxis Simcard which can be used in any part of Malaysia costs RM10 while its topup mobile load can be purchased at RM10.

PUTRAJAYA CITY (MALAYSIA)

Location: Putrajaya, Malaysia Total Land Area: 49 sq. km. (19 sq. mi.) Coordinates: 2.9430952°N 101.699373° Date Established: October 19, 1995 Made into Federal Territory: February 1, 2001 Time Zone: MST (UTC+8) Mean Solar Time: UTC+06:46:40 Descriptive Summary: Putrajaya dubbed as a garden and intelligent city is a planned city situated 25 kilometers south of Kuala Lumpa which serves as the federal administrative center of Malaysia wherein it became the seat of government since 1999 where originally it was in Kuala Lumpur but was relocated due to the overcrowding and congestion in the capital city. It is the third Federal Territory after Kuala Lumpur and Labuan. Putrajaya was named after the first Malaysian Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra where in Sanskrit, the words “putra” or “putera” means “prince” or “male child,” and “jaya” means “success” or “victory.” In addition, Putrajaya is home to the world's largest roundabout, the Persiaran Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah with a diameter of 3.5 km. (2.7 miles)

For purposes of sharing, I had this trip in Putrajaya dated October 12-13, 2006 where I was based in Singapore for a total of six days travelling also to the Island of Batam in the country of Indonesia. This three-country stop was made by me after a one-year work contract from the country of Qatar. By that time, the currency exchange of one Malaysian Ringgit (RM) to Philippine Peso is 13.

Palace of Justice which is also fondly known as Istana Kehakiman

I was alone then when I had this 3-country stop and part of this was in Putrajaya. It was not difficult for me to hire a tourist guide for a fee of 120 Malaysian Ringgit (P1,560) inclusive of car and photographer’s services when I arrived in this place after an hour of bus (Rapid Bus E-1 for RM4) travel from Kuala Lumpur. Mohamed Zen, my guide in his age of 50’s then was still energetic to accompany me and take my pictures. It was funny then that I always wanted myself to appear in all the pictures Mr. Zen took. In my first stop, I was extremely stunned when Mr. Zen took me to the Palace of Justice.

The architectural design of Istana Kehakiman is one of a kind – a five-story majestic looking building that is the judiciary and a two-storey building that houses the courts and offices. Other than being the center for all legal cases and law, the Palace of Justice is used as a place for photography due to its remarkable domed minarets. In addition, its huge courtyard is frequently used as a location for national level events such as Colours of Malaysia and lots more.

The Perdana Putra – is synonymous with the executive branch of the Malaysian federal government which houses the office complex of the Prime Minister of Malaysia

It can be observed, that the modern buildings of Putrajaya have a touch of Neoclassicism, Islamic architecture and Moorish architectural designs. But what is impressive of this city was that it is so green as its master plan revealed that 38% of its area is reserved for green spaces emphasizing the enhancement of natural landscape. It has a network of open spaces and wide boulevards. Thus, records showed that its entire development is considered as one of the Southeast Asia's largest with estimated final cost of US$ 8.1 billion.

The Putra Mosque or Masjid Putra – the principal mosque of Putrajaya

The construction of Putra Mosque began in 1997 and was completed two years later. It is located next to Perdana Putra and man-made Putrajaya Lake. In front of the mosque is a large square with flagpoles flying Malaysian states' flags.

The pink-domed Putra Mosque is constructed with rose-tinted granite consists of three main functional areas - the prayer hall, the Sahn, or courtyard, and various learning facilities and function rooms. The mosque can accommodate 15,000 worshippers at any one time.

The man-made Putrajaya Lake

With such a vast area, tourists will find one day barely enough to roam around Putrajaya and enjoy its equally picturesque buildings and landscape. Boulevards are not just wide and spacious but they are grown with a variety vibrant ornamental plants and flowers. Other places of interests to visit are: Putrajaya Independence Square, Putrajaya Wetlands Park, Taman Selatan and Putrajaya Botanical Gardens - the biggest botanical garden in Malaysia, covering an area over 92 hectares

The spacious open spaces and boulevard leading to Perdana Putra

One will wonder if Putrajaya is just a center for government buildings but according to my research, its residents are comprised mainly of government servants who have been encouraged to relocate to the city through a variety of government subsidy and loan programs. The research also revealed that in 2007, the population of Putrajaya was estimated to be over 30,000.

The Seri Gemilang Bridge

Seri Gemilang Bridge has a main span of 120 metres (394 ft) long, with a 60-metre (197 ft) span at each end, for a total length of 240 metres (787 ft). There are six traffic lanes, each 3.5 metres (11.5 ft) wide. The deck level above the water is 36.75 metres (121 ft) at the centre of the bridge.

The ceremonial bridge of Seri Gemilang Bridge which connects Heritage Square with Putrajaya Convention Centre.(photo courtesy by flickr )

The photo above was not captured by me during my visit since the three skyscrapers at the background were not yet erected when I had my visit in 2006, though, Putrajaya Convention Center was already there.

Putrajaya International Convention Center Marker

Without a car, the road heading to the Putrajaya International Convention Center is quite far from the Boulevard which is considered to be the center of the city. Spacious gardens and parks awaits you in this site and you will feast with its highly splendid scenery.

The government’s administrative buildings along the Persiaran Perdana (also called boulevard)

Would you believe that Putrajaya was originally Prang Besar which was opened in 1918 as Air Hitam by the British? Its original land space was 800 acres (3.2 km2), which was later expanded to 8,000 acres (32 km2). Prang Besar later expanded and merged with its surrounding estates such as Estet Raja Alang, Estet Galloway and Estet Bukit Prang.

The Seri Wawasan Bridge (Photo courtesy by Wikipedia)

What is so impressive of Putrajaya is the fact that it has a number of bridges which span through man-made lakes and rivers that project a dramatic and breathtaking landscape not to mention that these man-made bodies of water has a cooling effect to the entire city. These bridges include: Seri Perdana Bridge, Putra Bridge, Seri Wawasan Bridge, Seri Bakti Bridge, Seri Saujana Bridge, Seri Bestari Bridge, Seri Setia Bridge, Seri Gemilang Bridge and Monorail Suspension Bridge.

HOW TO GET THERE

While I stayed in Hotel China Town 2 at Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, the following are the transport I find convenient: LRT from Pasar Seri Station to KL Central Station for RM1; Rapid Bus E-1 from KL Central to Putrajaya Central Terminal (PCT) for RM4, Bus from PCT to Masjid Putrajaya for RM1 and in going back to my hotel, I opted to have a 20-minute express train from Putrajaya to KL Center for RM9.50.

Tourists can also travel from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya by chartered cars and taxis which can be arranged by hotel attendants where they stay and rates can be negotiable. For more information and booking reservations, contact this number at +60 3-2615 8188

NOTE: Rates and expenses are no longer updated.

UGANDA WORK TRAVEL

Location: Uganda, East Africa Total Land Area: 241,038 sq. km. (146,670 sq. mi.) Elevation: Average of 1,100 from sea level (3,609 ft.) Capital City: Kampala Official Languages: English and Swahili Independence from the UK: October 9, 1962 Currency: Ugandan Shilling (USh) Time Zone: EAT (UTC+3) Calling Code: +256 Descriptive Summary: Uganda is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda takes its name from the Buganda kingdom, which encompasses a large portion of the south of the country including the capital Kampala. Beginning in the late 1800s, the area was ruled as a colony by the British, who established administrative law across the territory. Uganda gained independence from Britain on 9 October 1962.

Part of home visitation to our village bank’s clients

My VSO volunteering work in Uganda wayback June 2002 to September 2003 will always be one of my best experiences where I lived in Africa for 14 months working as a Programme Management Advisor specializing in village banking operation managing a village bank in the name of When Rains Fail Trust (WRAF).

My VSO Uganda Batchmates

VSO which stands for Volunteer Service Overseas is the largest international volunteer sending organization since 1958 based in London with 76 beneficiary countries. I was recruited in the Philippines by the VSO Bahaginan Organization. I had eight batch mates when I arrived in Uganda on June 21, 2002 in the names of Jamie Alan Breadmore (Canadian), Murad Ahmed Hassen (Canadian), Isha Tan (Canadian), Dr. Kate Hulbert (British), Dr. John Ellis (Irish), Ali Alidina (Canadian), Stefan Vincent Quinton Kloop (Canadian) and Dr. Alastair James Watt (British). We were then 74 foreign volunteers of different nationalities working in Uganda by that time. Our batch then was welcomed with a Barbecue Night hosted by VSO Ugand Office.

VSO Development Education Field Day Visit in Nyakalengijo Village in Kasese

Aside from my main job as a programme management village consultant, I had always attended to VSO monthly development education visits to other parts of the country to monitor the sustainability of the beneficiaries of the community and conservation development programme implemented in every locality.

The usual bonding with my village bank clients during evening tea breaks

Ugandans are very hospitable people. They gave high respect to the “Muzungus” like me. Muzungu is a term for non-black foreign volunteers working in Uganda. What I like most in Uganda is the cold climate being a land of high elevation with a weather pattern uniquely cold contributed by Lake Victoria, one of the biggest lakes in the world.

Part of my daily routine of evening walk

In Uganda, the sun usually sets at almost 7:00 P.M. and so evening walks are still provided with broad day light. The village where I live is so green and vegetables and fruits are very cheap such as: avocado, papaya, pineapple, water melon, jackfruit, banana, Irish potatoes (patatas in the Philippines), sweet potatoes (camote in the Philippines), eggplant and cabbages. Their jackfruit are huge and they have the best avocado in the world. I can still remember that few of my clients would normally give me a sack or two of avocado and huge jackfruit when they apply for a loan from our bank where they use the proceeds to buy tea leaves from tea farmers.

Clad in a Ugandan National costume

By the time, I was in Uganda their currency exchange rate to one (1) US Dollar was 2,200 Ugandan Shillings (USh). An ordinary Ugandan citizen should have at least USh100,000 for their monthly income to survive. A kilo of a beef’s meat costs USh4,000; Pork at USh5,000 and Chicken at USh8,000. In the villages, there is no water supply coming from commercialized water suppliers and so one has the option to buy it from the enterprising kids who get the water from a hill’s base coming from a spring source about 4 kilometers away for each one jerrican (water can) at USh800.

Muhwezi Amos Katubiri standing infront of my accommodation atop the hill

My work placement was based in Nyakashaka Village, Burere sub-county, Buhweju county, Bushenyi District, Uganda, East Africa. It is 7 hours bus travel from the capital city of Kampala along national tarred road and another two (2) hours taxi travel from the national road to Nyakashaka trailing a very dusty road. Dry red loose soil are blown up into the air whenever vehicles and tea trucks pass resulting for fine dust to penetrate inside leaving all the passengers red-dust covered. Taxis in Ugandan village parlance, are old five-passenger cars but which is being jam-packed with at least twelve passengers along with their cargoes with a fare of USh8,000.

My Canadian programme officer and colleagues at WRAF

I was directly reporting to my programme officer in the name of David Gamey and my Ugandan counterpart was Mr. Winnington Kano Naijuka Kekurutso (in red polo shirt in the picture). The only lady in the picture is Miss Barbara Kasange Murungi, the branch manager of the Nyakashaka branch since we had operated three branches then.

Part of the sensitization activities

The objective of VSO is to help any beneficiary community to train my counterpart and his whole team and transfer any form of knowledge and technology for sustainability. Thus, I was faced with the gargantuan task of training the village bank team in the aspects of savings generation, accounting, auditing, loans operations, personnel management, policy formulation, staff and members training and marketing. I also conducted bookkeeping training to member entrepreneurs whom we extended revolving credit fund (RCF) as “hotel” operators in the nearby villages. Hotels there are just small stores offering tea and matoke (boiled mashed banana as staple food).

WRAF’s service car for official trips

Life in my placement has so much community exposure as we travel from one village to another to have the sensitization activities of the bank. The locals are very happy when you greet them in their Runyankore language with: “Agandi, banyabo na basebo” which means in English as “A pleasant day to you, ladies and gentlemen.” Or “Nashemererwa, munonga mononga!” which means that “I am very much pleased to be with you all!”

Another option of service vehicle

Not all roads leading to the isolated villages are passable by car. The only option to travel is to use a Yamaha 125 Single Motor Vehicle.

My English and Math students in Rwibaare Village

After five months of stay in my Ugandan placement, I realized I had so much spare time. That was the time I started to volunteer teaching English and Mathematics subject during weekends in nearby villages of Rwibaare, Kakindo and Ryamasa. Teaching was not a part of my placement pack (job description). In return, my students would usually guide me to scale the nearby mountains like the Mount Kyangenyi. Lawrence Sajja (in blue shirt in the picture) is my permanent guide.

While at the summit of Mount Kyangenyi

While I enjoyed so much my volunteering work in Uganda, I also enjoyed so much the mountain climbing and photography in my placement base. I was lucky to have such a picturesque place with a cold climate. In most cases, thick fogs can be experienced and there is zero visibility. My place is even colder compared to Sagada in the Mountain Province of the Philippines which is considered the coldest in the country.

My friends at the shoulder of Mount Nyakarangara

Mount Nyakarangara is the nearest mountain to my work placement. This is the usual place where I take my visitors for a climb like the couple Grant Gilbertson (British) and Dr. Patricia Tivadar (Romanian) and Behram Darruwala (Indian).

Aerial view of the Royal Circuit Tract at Queen Elizabeth National Park

Aside from my usual travels to the nearby villages, I also had major travels and one of the most memorable was when I visited the wilderness of the Queen Elizabeth National Park which is five hours drive away from my placement post.

The Mweya Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth National Park is a natural savanna game reserve where lions, elephants, baboons, hippos, Ugandan kobs, water bucks, antelopes, buffalos, bush pigs, colobus monkeys, Egyptian goose, black-headed gonolek birds, serval cats and many others are just a common sight.

The equator marker at the Kasese District

On our way to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, we happened to pass through the equator marker located in Kasese District. The whole national park is in Kasese District.

The Speke Camp at the Bujagali Falls

I also travelled to the Bujagali Falls which is a part of the Source of the Nile River located in the town of Jinja. In the same event, I had a cruise to the Source of the Nile going to Lake Victoria and passed through an island marker where Nile River and Lake Victoria meet. In a separate occasion, I had the opportunity to have a day-long white water rafting along the Nile River and eve prior to the rafting was a Barbecue night of all the guests.

While at a Lake Bunyonyi Trip

Lake Bunyonyi is the deepest lake in Uganda which has 39 islands of which Bushara Island at area of 16 hectares is the most well developed equipped with modern facilities and lots of amenities to enjoy.

Indeed, it is worth to be A VOLUNTEER! With this, I encourage each and everyone of you to do your part in SHARING SKILLS, CHANGING LIVES of others, that is VSO’s motto.