From Venice to ...

A few years after Jules Verne gave us Around the World in 80 Days (see my first post in December 2006 relating to this 1872 novel) an equally prolific and visionary writer gave us an even more incredible journey. This time however, it was not a trip around a still mysterious world in just 80 days ... but a trip in time, a trip into the future!

In 1895 Mr Herbert G Wells, an Englishman, wrote The Time Machine. Possibly his first successful science fiction novel, it was however neither his first book nor the first time he flirted with the idea of travelling in time. Nonetheless, time travelling was the next logical step in a 19th century world becoming ever more smaller on the back of all the technical developments in transport and communications. So, imagine the possibilities ... not just being able to travel around the world in just 80 days, but travelling back and forth in time at will!

My apologies to those of you still reading this post (on its 3rd paragraph already) expecting an answer to how to travel into the future. But I am afraid I do not know the secret behind travelling into the future. However, I am taking the liberty of borrowing Mr Wells' time machine to, guided by Mr Verne's curiosity, jump back in time and share with you a truly unforgettable trip into the heart of Africa. A land of friendly and diverse peoples, wild animals, exotic plants and breathtaking landmarks. A country still looking for its place in today's world, and on the edge of changing for ever.

Late in 2006 I found myself with some time to spare and, literally, a whole world of possibilities ... What to do? Where to go? And then, I can not remember when exactly or how it happened, but the answer came to my mind: Uganda, the pearl of Africa.

Politically stable after years of civil war. On the banks the famous lake Victoria and (one of) the source(s) of the White Nile. The limit between the East African savanna and the Central and West African rain forest. Cradle of the first human societies and home of the endangered mountain gorillas ...

So I packed and left for one of the most remarkable trips I can remember. A trip to discover a new part of the world, sub-Saharan Africa.

In the next few weeks I will be re-tracing my footmarks in Uganda with you. From the relatively civilised Kampala, to Bwindi Impenetrable Park close to the border with Congo and Rwanda. So, if you fancy the idea of such a trip from the comfort of your home ... then just come back here for more!