Day 10 (The Gorilla's Nest Arrival)

 

7/10/22 - I thought our hotel was called Hotel Heaven because it was heaven to get to sleep.  But actually it's called The Retreat.  Makes sense.  I had to retreat to the bathroom after breakfast.

Breakfast at the Retreat

Another celebration of life today as we celebrate the anniversary of Amy and Brad Pearl.  27 years of bliss.

Happy couple

We headed out from Rigali to the Gorilla's Nest - about a 90 minute drive.  Which means 2 hours in Africa.  Our drivers were Claud and Manuel.  We split up boys and girls this time and drove by Hotel Rwanda, the one from the movie.

I think they changed the name to protect the innocent.  Or the new owners.


Car #2


2 hour ride.... Some history of Rwanda.  I won't get too political but so many life lessons on these trips.  More and more vacations are becoming a time of reflection and learning.  In 1994, the militia groups shot down a plane carrying the Prez.  It was going to land at the same airport in Kigali where we landed last night.  The Prez was a Hulu, shot down by Tutsi's.  This sparked the civil war, and genocide where approx. 800,000 Tutsi's were killed.  Ethnic cleansing.


28 years later, the country seems to be recovering nicely.  Lot's of people on the streets, doing what they need to do to live.

Baby got back.

Rwanda Uhaul

Car #1 stopped for bread and beers


Recovering from an 800,000 person massacre is not easy.  But the country has been brought together.  Duh.  They had no other options.  Life lesson: Find common ground.  And Claud, find the One and Only Gorilla's Nest

Nice Claud

If you put "One and Only" in front of anything it better be good.  The One and Only _________.  The One and Only Welcome from the One and Only GNest.

Welcome Car #2

Car #1 already enjoying tea time

I never really understood tea time?  Smell the roses Jeff.  Dive in.


It's all about the pinky...


... and eye contact

Ok.  First glance is that the One and Only has earned the OaO title.  This place is AMAZING.  Shout out to Fame for finding it, booking it, and making it her anniversary arrival.  The "One and Only Amy Pearl."  From check in to lunch in record time.

                  The One and Only Patio Lunch

Somebody likes the OaO lunch.  Lick that plate!

Even Felix, the boys bathroom host, was OaO.  He first asked Rob for a bathroom selfie..

Cheese Rob.

And then asked him for a bathtub selfie.

The One and Only Rob Fiance

We met for a Gorilla pre-game session where we got to ask a lot of questions about our tomorrow's expedition.  All I heard was 5:30am wake up call.  Now off to a private anniversary dinner at the Cottage.  

                                                    Yep.  The OaO Cottage Anniversary Dinner

Our host is another amazing Manuel.  Popular name here in Rwanda.  The chef came out and walked us through the meal.  Grandma's bean machine, chicken and fish skewers, homemade potatoes, and a variety of farm to table sides.  The chef lives 5 minutes away and everything was hand picked.  

The right hand over the heart is a sign of thanks and gratitude in Rwanda.  Thanks Manuel.

              Say Cheese. Please.

And Happy Anniversary to the One and Only Brad and Amy Pearl...

                                          

                                                         ...and The One and Only Romantic Brad

Oh what a night.... Oh what a place.... Happy Anniversary Amy and Brad!  Everyone getting excited for the 5:30am wakeup?

                                               

                                         Come Together.  Smell the Roses.  See Gorillas. 




































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