Even though this is what I wanted to do I was feeling very nervous about it so I thought may be the 2 man kayak version would be better. At least then I can make decisions about my own journey. Also when I looked at my insurance I'm covered for canoeing but not the rafting.
So off I went on Thursday to Jinja, and on the advice of one of the staff here whose brother lives there- I ended up at Bujagali Falls in a place called Explorers. I booked in for rafting as a nervous person and was advised I would be looked after by Peter a very experienced river person. My intention was to do the kids version of the river!
On Friday morning we were loaded onto the bus and taken down to the centre and fitted with life jackets and helmets. As it turned out there were 28 other people so the plan was to go down the river as a group of 4 rafts and the 2 man kayak (me).
We started off with some practice capsizing - which was horrible - but had to be done, and then encountered some bubbling water and a Grade 2 rapid.
It was pretty scary but not too bad. I don't know why but I thought the kayak would be easier to take routes down the river that were less demanding.
Then we hit a Grade 4 and the first Grade 5 at Bujugali Falls. What I hadn't really bargained on was the fact that the rafts go over the waves but the kayak goes through it when you hit the wall of water. I think I must have drunk at least a gallon of Nile water - no option when you are absolutely hammered by the water.
- I swallowed and inhaled so much water I was coughing and spluttering all over the place.
So when we hit the next grade 5 rapid called Silverback - I opted to sit in the safety boat. The young guys from the raft centre all called me chicken but I didn't care I decided it was too big for me in a kayak. Even in the safety boat it was a thrilling ride down and we almost tipped over.
My biggest dread was that we would capsize in the middle of a rapid. Peter kept warning me that this might happen and what to do. I admit I prayed that this would not happen - and he was brilliant because even though we nearly tipped a couple of times we did stay upright all the way.
We were out for the full day, and there were long periods floating down the Nile in our life jackets in the still but still quite fast flowing water. We had lunch of pineapple, biscuits and water on the move and it was a great day.
I've got the DVD that I am sure I will show to everyone when I get back. I did a lot more than I intended to and was really scared in places - Pete thought it was hilarious that my knees were shaking as well.
All in all, I've decided - if I can do this - I can do anything!!!!
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