Still not 40

We decided to celebrate the fact that we are still young.

I took the Friday of and after a lazy morning we left for Gisenyi. We stopped at Muzanse (Ruhengeri) for lunch. The place we knew was open but did not look it. The sign outside was taken down and men were busy (relatively) sweeping and working. The food however was still as lovely as we remembered. Worth over an hour waiting for.

We carried on on the partly new road, partly past roadworks, it seems to progress at an reasonable level. We were happy to see most workman were Rwandans and it was done by Strabag, not the cheap Chinese competitor.

We made the costly error to stop at our, by now usual, souvenir shop. KIAKA is a cooperative with nice products and good prices (and a clean loo). So now we have a drum, a stool and some statues.

So finally we got to our destination, a ride that should take less than four ours took us most of the day.

SERENA KIVU SUN ****
The only four star hotel out of Kigali. It is posh and men were helping us inside with umbrellas, as it was raining heavily. Gisenyi is known for its rain, fortunately often late afternoon or at night.


The hotel deserves its four stars with a lake view and beach. The staff however don't. The free water is delivered in the afternoon, well after you need it. Half the cutlery is missing, and will only arrive after asked for. The beach towels came after asking twice and with half an hour delay.etc. etc. We had a lovely massage on Saturday, of course at a different time than ordered. The dinner was buffet, so at least no problems with service, however it takes some skill to get your drinks at the same time as your dinner.

Saturday morning we had a stroll into town. It has a nice atmosphere. We visited the market and even bought cloth, cheaper than in Kigali. We couldn't resist the artist shops and bought a tam tam of raw wood and a mask, as if we needed it.

The way back was much quicker, I claim it on my shortcut. On the way there I noticed there was a road being build which would skip on hill, so on the way back we took it. It turned out that this was indeed a shortcut, a shame that it wasn't entirely ready, but that was half the fun.

We only stopped for a quick samosa and breakfast apple half way and were within four hours home.

So we have still some Sunday afternoon left to put cream on my sunburn, have tea and play with the cats. Oh, and spray the purchases with Doom.

In short, I can recommend this weekend away, but it might be worthwhile stay at a cheaper hotel and coming to Serena for the beach and a drink.