Ngamba Island

yesterday i had the honor and privilege to visit the Ngamba Island Sanctuary.


being the first time for to take a canoe ride - i was anxious about the trip. We got up early - 6:30am and set off to the dock. I went for the trip with spo, geb and batman. As we got onto the canoe, we were introduced to our Captain mr. mmm - who apparently had 15 years experience in boat trips :D
we were joined in the canoe by one vanessa - a vet - who never spoke alot. and by another group of apes who seemed to be from the same family tree. we set off toward the island on a not so bumpy ride and were amazed by scenary of the islands around us as we row row rowed our boat gently down the lake - merily merily ... it wasn't and isnt just a dream :D

Ok - we arrived after 1:30 at our destination. The island is beautiful with trees and birds.

we were introduced to a small bird that kept scaring us away from the egg she had just laid on the ground. Unfortunately, some foolist indian family had their kids step on the egg :(

poor thing ate part of the remaining shell and york.we were given special treatment by the guides , as we were there as website designers for the sanctuary. we had first hand experience of the chimps being fed with fruits at 2:30pm. Man, chimps seem to be violent animals - they make loud scary noises - they are too h... y . but i was amused by one of the chimps that kept putting up its hand like a student in class - while the fruits were being thrown towards them.

Apparently there are 42 chimps on the island which is about 100acres yet this island would be only habitable by 2 chimps in the wild. suddenly the thought to myself - what would it be like to own an island ? ........
apparently the owners of this island are actively looking for a new island for chimps - but the cost would goto 1million dollars which they seem not to have.

on our tour - we were told stories of how the caretakers have to develop friendships with the animals . this is normally leveraged when taking blood samples , treatment and the like.
I have always been afraid of chimps - because of the tales of maiming of human beings - as one of the precautions, we were told that - in the event of a sudden escape of the chimps we were all to run towards the lake as chimps are afraid of water.

We took as many pictures as we could take and finally it was time for us to head back to civilization to live among the civilized apes. Now - this time around the water was not as calm. there were waves atleast 2metres high hitting at our boat.

being at the front of the canoe - this was a fast heart beating experience for me. I faced backwards to calm my fear :D
( did i ever mention i was a coward )

As we approached the middle of the lake- the waves became more and more fierce leading to some 2 kids vomiting.

Some ladies in the boat vowed never to return for such a trip again. Though it was a scary first experience for me, i was relying on my excellent swimming skills ( i wish :D ) and 2 life jackets.

our journey took 2 hours and we were back at shore.

oh ! what a trip !