Mr Li Wei's African Adventure
The Grand Tour East Africa
Kenya and Tanzania
In the bustling city of Shanghai, there lived a historian man named Li Wei. He had always been fascinated by the stories and documentaries of how his ancestors journeyed to the African coast to trade. He saw many evident pictures in the museum justifying it. He was also enthused by the vast landscapes and the diverse wildlife the continent held. He always vowed one day he would visit the continent, and one day, he decided to embark on a journey to assimilate his ancestors’, and to witness the beauty of this distant land himself.
The plane didn’t take longer to reach the continent than he had expected. As he stepped off the plane, the warm African sun greeted him, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of wildflowers. For the first time in his life, he was in Africa, in Kenya, a land of majestic animals and vibrant cultures. The sky was a canvas of orange and purple hues as the sun began to set, and the air was filled with the sounds of the savannah. He stood there for some minutes feeling the breezes, knowing in his heart that his ancestor many years ago stepped on the same soil.
From the airport, Li Wei moved toured the streets of Nairobi and witnessed for himself the true Africa. During the day, street dwellers amazed him, he couldn’t believe any man could stand in the blazing sun for 7 hours as the vendors there did. People moved in the sun as if they breathed it, and never minded the tight heavy fabrics on their bodies, it surprised him.
He visited the bustling markets. He marvelled at the vibrant tapestries and intricate handcrafts, each telling a story of the local culture. He tasted fruits he had never seen before, their flavours as rich and diverse as the landscapes he had traversed.
In the evenings, he would sit with the locals, listen to the rhythmic beats of traditional drums, and feel the pulse of the land through the music. He learned a few Swahili phrases, laughing along with new friends at his attempts to pronounce them correctly.
At night, everything could change, all the streets were like a freshborn world, every person a different person now! He could even doubt his GPS, seeing everything changed, he could not believe where he stood was the same place by the day. “Oh, Africa, you are amazing, I wonder,” he thought to himself.
On the streets, he was captivated by the vibrant beats and intricate steps of the communal dances, a heritage shaped by the country’s colonial past and its quest for national identity. The music and dance were not just art forms but also avenues for confronting socio-political realities and expressing community solidarity.
Among the places he’d desperately come to witness was the Massai Mara. He was directed to a local guide named Kamau. “Welcome to our beautiful land,” Kamau said with a broad smile. “The Maasai people welcome you. I am profoundly honoured to take you through the wonders of our land.”
Together, they ventured into the heart of the golden savannah. Li Wei was in awe as he saw herds of zebras, giraffes and wildebeests grazing peacefully on the many coloured beautiful leasows. A family of elephants bathed in a nearby watering hole, their trumpets echoing in the distance. Above, eagles soared, their sharp eyes scanning the ground below. He just knew he was in the right place.
The weather was ever-changing; one moment, the sun blazed down, and the next, a brief rain shower would bring a refreshing coolness. Li Wei marvelled at the rainbow that arched across the sky after the rain, a vibrant spectrum of colours against the green backdrop.
Witnessing the Great Migration, a symphony of life on a grand scale was his most amazing phenomenon in the savannahs. He carried on with it up to Tanzania, watching in silent reverence as the thundering hooves of wildebeests and zebras kicked up clouds of dust. It was a primal dance of survival, a spectacle that connected him to the ancient rhythms of life. He captured countless photographs, but it was the raw emotion of the experience that he knew would stay with him forever.
As night fell, they sat around a campfire under the starlit sky. Kamau shared stories of his ancestors, the wildlife, and the balance of nature. Li Wei listened intently, his heart full of gratitude for the opportunity to experience such a unique and beautiful place, but everything was a mystery to him.
On the next day, still in Tanzania, he walked through a small village and came across a school. The children, full of energy and laughter, invited him to join their game of football. He spent the afternoon playing and teaching them a few words in Mandarin, which they repeated with eager enthusiasm, and they even shared meals.
As the days passed, Li Wei’s journey through Africa took him beyond the savannahs to the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, where the air was crisp and the view breathtaking. He encountered wildlife he had only seen in books: curious monkeys, graceful giraffes, and even the elusive leopard watching from a distance.
“A glaciated peak in equatorial Africa! I have to reach it!” he said to himself. His ascent to the peak began in the lush rainforests at the base, where the air was still thick with the scent of earth and life. As he climbed higher, the amazing vegetation changed, giving way to moorlands dotted with giant lobelias and groundsels. Each step upward brought a new challenge, from navigating rocky paths to enduring the thinning air. At the summit, Uhuru Peak, he watched the sunrise, a golden glow that set the ice fields ablaze with light. It was a moment of pure awe, a testament to the endurance of the human spirit and the grandeur of nature, he was at the top of Africa.
From the snow-capped Uhuru peak, Li Wei gazed upon the vastness of Africa—a continent of endless wonders that had long captured his historian’s heart. He looked around, closed his eyes and imaged the entire panorama, the map of Africa, beneath his feet. He could spot the Sahara Desert far north, the biggest in the world, the unbeatable Mozambique beaches, the pearl of Africa just near him, and the land of thousands of beautiful hills, Rwanda. There it was, the entire Africa he loved very much, and he just knew, he should explore every spot of it.
Uganda Tour
After a few days, with the memories of Kenya and Tanzania’s vibrant streets, majestic wildlife and wonders still fresh in his mind, he set his sights on a new adventure: Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
His journey began at the shores of Lake Victoria, the lifeblood of the nation. As the gentle waves lapped against the hull of the boat, Li Wei felt the pulse of the great lake, its waters a mirror reflecting the clear blue skies. He marvelled at the lake’s expanse, a vast aquatic wilderness that was the source of the Nile, the river that had cradled civilizations.
As the boat docked at Entebbe, Li Wei stepped onto Ugandan soil, his senses immediately engulfed by the lush greenery of the botanical gardens, where the air was alive with the calls of exotic birds. He spent his first night reading the books he had about Uganda at a cosy guest house, its windows open to the cool lake breeze, whispering old historical tales of the land with the explorers, and the British empire.
The next day, he travelled to Kampala, the vibrant heart of Uganda. The city was a tapestry of history and modernity, its streets a chorus of colourful markets, towering mosques, and the solemnity of the Kasubi Tombs. He wandered through the Owino Market, a maze of spices, textiles, and the cheerful banter of traders. He conversed with the locals, whose hospitality he wondered. Many times, he boarded the famous Boda Bodas; to the most expensive road in the world, the Entebbe Express, and all through the many potholed roads in the city streets, that his experience with them he enjoyed.
From Kampala, he boarded the local tax to the city of Jinja to witness for himself the source and birth of the Nile, the longest river on the planet. Every single wonder of this river he reached, and witnessed, the white waters rafting, the bungee jumping, among many others.
His journey continued north along this river to the thundering Kabalega’s Murchison Falls, where the river’s mighty waters carved through rock and forest. Li Wei watched, spellbound, as the river surged and danced, its spray catching the sunlight in a thousand rainbows.
In the evenings, Li Wei would sit by the campfire, under the canopy of stars, listening to the stories of the local guides. They spoke of the Rwenzori, the Mountains of the Moon, and the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Each tale was a thread in the rich tapestry of Uganda’s heritage.
From there, Mr Li travelled on the waters of Lake Albert to Semuliki National Park, and then down the foothills of the Mountains of the Moon to Queen Elizabeth National Park savannahs where he touched himself a tree climbing lioness in a branch of a tree, and carried a baby elephant.
His path then led him through Bunyaruguru, the land of unexplored geographical features and a sea of Matooke plantations to the multicultural village near Mbarara. He immersed himself in the traditions and rituals that had shaped the Ugandan spirit and even tasted the many Matooke dishes, milk and African honey.
As his journey neared its end, Li Wei visited the misty realms of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a sanctuary for the elusive mountain gorillas. Li Wei trekked through the dense forest, every step taking him deeper into a world untouched by time. When he finally came face-to-face with the gentle giants, he stood in awe, a silent observer to their quiet majesty. Their human-like expressions stirring a deep sense of kinship; he never stopped wondering; he’d never seen a gorilla by his own eyes!
Mr Li Wei left Uganda with a heart full of memories and a journal brimming with stories—stories of a land vibrant with life, a people resilient and warm, and a history as deep and vast as Lake Victoria itself. His tour was a voyage through time, a historian’s pilgrimage to the cradle of humanity. He wondered why nature had blessed Uganda so much crowding all the beauty and wonders to it, small it is… and indeed, the Pearl of Africa it was.
And as he bid farewell to the Precious Land, he knew that a part of his soul would forever remain touched by the land, nestled in the verdant hills and the whispering waters of this ancient and still a beautiful land.
To Rwanda
But his heart was also alighting with anticipation for the next chapter of his journey. He crossed the border into Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills, where the verdant slopes of countless amazingly woven and folded hills were a mystery to him, as they whispered stories of resilience and beauty.
In Rwanda, he explored the Volcanoes National Park, home to the majestic mountain gorillas, the cousins to Uganda's. He trekked through dense forests to find them. He sat mere meters away from these majestic creatures. The conservationists shared their passionate efforts to preserve these animals, inspiring him to advocate for wildlife protection.
His mind never forgot about Kigali, a city of beauty. On his first step into the city, only beauty he could see! The clean beautiful streets, the organised peaceful and harmonious people; beautiful they were. He was told, the word ‘Kigali’ was a translative for ‘beauty’! he noted and learnt many Kinyarwanda (Rwandese language) dialects.
He paid his respects at the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a poignant reminder of the country’s past and its commitment to peace. A champion of peace, Rwanda was. He visited local farms and saw for himself the amazing and mysterious Inyambo Ankole cattle, sipped on their milk, and ate their Muchomo.
He marvelled at the biodiversity of the Nyungwe Forest National Park and the serene waters of Lake Kivu, reflecting on the intricate tapestry of life.
The Odyssey through the Heart of Africa
Adventure of West Africa
Mr Li had a long adventure in the Congo; through its vast land, its rich impelling cultures and peoples, and the enormous forests and jungles and viscous perilous terrains and territories, he finally reached the shores of West Africa, a region pulsating with history, culture, and life.
He traversed the landscapes from the Sahel to the Atlantic, each country revealing its unique character. In Ghana, he walked the solemn paths of the slave castles and the country’s highlife music introduced him to a world where music is the heartbeat of daily life, a means of celebration, communication, and resistance; in Ivory Coast, he tasted the sweetness of the world’s finest cocoa, and even toughed the darkest man claimed, a Sudanic Senegalese young lady who had won the VentaBlack contests he attended in Dakar; in Senegal, he danced to the beats of the Sabar drums and walked on the marvellous sands he never read in books; in
Mali Tour
As Li Wei’s African tour continued, he found himself drawn to the storied lands of Mali. The air was thick with the history of empires that once ruled these parts. In the bustling streets of Bamako, he felt the pulse of a nation that had been a crossroads of cultures for centuries.
He visited the legendary city of Timbuktu, where ancient manuscripts told tales of a golden age of scholarship and trade. He wandered through its dusty streets, exploring ancient mosques and libraries that held centuries of knowledge. Some homes welcomed him in and shared meals with them and listened to their griots recount epic tales. The music they played, a fusion of traditional instruments and rhythms, moved him in ways he could not express in words; he felt it deeply.
The Sahara Trek
With the spirit of discovery guiding him, Li Wei ventured into the vastness of the Sahara Desert. The endless sea of sand stretched beyond the horizon, a testament to nature’s sublime beauty and power. Nights in the desert were a canvas of stars, each one a story from the past, guiding travellers and dreamers alike. He spent them around campfires, sharing stories and music.
Li Wei learned the desert’s secrets from the Berber people. He discovered oases that shimmered like mirages, tasted dates fresh from the palm, and learned to find his way by the stars. The desert, he learned, was not a barren wasteland but a world teeming with life and history, where every grain of sand told a story.
Egypt Tour
The call of history was irresistible, the sea of Sahara sands led him, and Egypt beckoned. In Egypt, he explored the grandeur of the pyramids, the mystery of the Sphinx, and the timeless wonders of Luxor and Karnak. The temples and hieroglyphs spoke of gods and pharaohs, of a people who looked to the stars and eternity, and of a civilisation so ancient and bold.
He then went to the Nile Delta. As he stood on its banks, he was reminded of its journey from the East African highlands, through the savannahs and deserts, to the fertile delta that cradled an ancient civilization.
Southern Africa
Mozambique Tour
As the African sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple, Li Wei remembered, there was one more chapter to be written in his grand African odyssey. He hadn’t yet set foot in the southern lands of the continent. Mozambique was his first choice, a country known for its stunning coastline and rich cultural tapestry.
With a heart full of excitement, he made his way to Mozambique. His first stop was the vibrant city of Maputo, where African, Portuguese, and Arab influences melded into a symphony of architecture, art, and cuisine. He strolled through the bustling markets, the air filled with the scent of fresh seafood and the sound of mellow jazz drifting from the cafes.
He experienced and felt the marrabenta music, a genre that blends traditional rhythms with modern influences, echoing the country’s diverse cultural landscape. The dance, often performed during festive occasions, was a joyous expression of life’s ebb and flow.
He went to the coast, where the azure waters of the Indian Ocean kissed the shores with gentle waves. He was enveloped in a world of colour and movement, where coral gardens teemed with fish of every hue. Swimming alongside the gentle giants of the sea, the whale shark, was a reminder of the delicate balance of the ocean’s ecosystems and the need to protect them.
Li Wei then ventured to the Bazaruto Archipelago, a marine park with five islands that boasted pristine beaches and a kaleidoscope of marine life. He sailed on a traditional majestic dhow, the wind guiding him through the hidden gems of the coast. Beneath the waves, he marvelled at the coral reefs, home to dolphins, turtles, and the elusive dugongs.
His journey took him further to the charming coastal town of Vilankulo, where adventure awaited in every corner. He rode horses along the sandy beaches, went kite surfing over the crystal-clear waters, and joined a dhow safari to witness the beauty of the archipelago.
As Li Wei’s Mozambique tour drew to a close, he found himself in the tranquil town of Tofo, famous for its whale sharks and manta rays. Here, he reflected on his journey, the people he met, and the stories he would carry with him forever. Mozambique was the perfect finale to his odyssey, a place where the beauty and diversity of Africa were encapsulated in one unforgettable experience.
The South Africa Tour
As Li’s footsteps echoed through the annals of African history, his journey led him to the southern tip of this enchanting continent: South Africa. Known as the ‘Rainbow Nation’ for its multicultural diversity, South Africa promised a tapestry of experiences that Li Wei eagerly anticipated.
His adventure began at the iconic Kruger National Park, a wildlife haven where the Big Five roamed free. Amidst the golden savannah, he found himself in the company of lions, elephants, and rhinos, each sighting more thrilling than the last. The park was not just a sanctuary for animals but also a living museum, with ancient San rock paintings whispering tales of the earliest inhabitants of these lands.
Venturing south, he arrived in Cape Town, a city nestled between the ocean and the imposing Table Mountain. Here, he explored the colourful streets of Bo-Kaap, tasted the renowned Cape Malay cuisine, and felt the solemn history of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned.
But it was the encounter with the Bushmen, the San people, that touched his historian’s heart the most. In the vastness of the Kalahari Desert, he met with the descendants of the oldest known inhabitants of the region. They shared with him the secrets of the veld, their knowledge of medicinal plants, and their ancient art of storytelling through dance and music. Li Wei was mesmerized by the clicks and whistles of their language, a sound as old as time itself.
The Sans were the only people he had so far encountered whose phenotypical features neared those of his kin, the Chinese; he was bewildered! The music they played, each of its melodies was a memory etched into the fabric of his journey.
As he journeyed along the Garden Route, a stunning coastal drive, Li Wei was captivated by the natural beauty of the Blyde River Canyon and the Drakensberg mountains. Each vista was more breathtaking than the last, each mountain passed a gateway to new wonders.
In the heart of the country, Li Wei discovered the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a miracle of nature where hippos and crocodiles ruled the waterways, and the beaches were nesting grounds for ancient turtles.
And so, under the starlit sky of South Africa, Li Wei penned the last entry in his journal, a testament to the wonders of a continent that had captured his historian’s soul. His adventure may have ended, but the memories and the spirit of Africa would live on within him, an eternal flame ignited by the land of vibrant cultures, majestic wildlife, and the warm embrace of its people.
His odyssey through Africa was more than mere visits through landmarks; it was a pilgrimage through time and humanity, an adventure of the soul, and a historian’s quest to understand the heartbeat of humanity. From the Masai Mara golden savannahs and the peaks of Kilimanjaro to the source of the Nile, from jungles of the Congo to the sands of the Sahara, from the Mozambique coasts to the gentle wisdom of the San people in South Africa. His journey was a tapestry of experiences, woven with the threads of history, culture, and the enduring spirit of a continent.
Throughout his travels, Li Wei encountered the true spirit of Africa not just in the landmarks and wildlife but in the smiles, the stories, and the unyielding strength of its people. He knew that the stories he gathered would resonate within him forever, a mosaic of experiences that would shape his understanding of the world and its endless wonders.
Africa had given him more than just memories, but also a new perspective on life. His journey was more than a visit; it was a profound connection with the land and its people, and a cherished memory, a reminder of the beauty and diversity of our world, and of the land where humanity’s story began.
Each adventure enriched his soul, teaching him lessons of resilience, wonder, and the interconnectedness of all living things. Africa was not just a destination; it was a journey that transformed him, leaving an indelible mark on his heart.
Nice story. I like it
ReplyDelete