Lake Kivu, Kibuye

Sorry i haven't blogged in a while! I'm trying to be on my computer less here, and focus more on being in Rwanda. But i have lot's to catch you all up on! so i'll try my best...

Last weekend Pastor Anastase (our Issues in Peacebuilding professor) took up to Lake Kivu (the only substantial body of water in Rwanda) in the hills of Kibuye. Pastor Anastase use to pastor a small church here and had trained a lot more pastors around these villages - so EVERYONE knew him - even all of the  hotel staff. We took a long bus ride through the mountains, beside cliffs, and over the hills of Rwanda, driving through some of the most beautiful views i have ever seen. The air was so fresh and full of vegetation up in the mountains (compared to the city of Kigali we are use to living in). It was unexpected seeing so many little villages on the sides of these mountains; people walking so close to the windy road's edge. 

Finally we arrived at a small yellow hotel directly overlooking the lake. Our rooms were small, cemented and misquito-neted. Our bathroom light worked half the time, and our sink's leak filled up the bucket underneath every night; but we loved every minute of Lake Kivu. We swam a mile off land to a small island and hiked the steepest mountain i have probably every hiked. We took a long wood boat out to this mountain-island called "Bat Island" (although we saw no bats). This mountain hike was quick but rigorous. One bad step could sent you falling into the water below. Along the way we dodged tons of loose rocks and cow remains - seriously how these cows climbed this mountain and why is beyond me. Apparently, they swim there from other island - but what they do there is also a mystery. 

Getting to the top was beautiful - an awesome view over looking Lake Kivu and the other islands and mountains in the distance. After an eventful trek down the much steeper side of the mountain - involving scaling, falling rock, holding on to dead grass for dear life, and getting attacked by thorn bushes - we finally made it back to the boat. The boat then took us to a small island called "Amohoro Island" ("Peace Island'). Here sipped on sodas and lounged on hammocks by the African sunset until we finally made our way back to the hotel for and African buffet dinner and tea - my favorite.