Kiwatule Recreation Centre

 

This is an oldie and a goodie. Until recently, the only time I had been to Kiwatule Recreation Centre was in 2003. At the time, I was convinced it was the most romantic place on earth. In reality, it was just the venue for a shared orientation for Gayaza and Buddo prefects. Nothing romantic materialized from the meeting. In fact, I don’t even remember who I met that day. Anywho, when I called to ask about the availability of the centre, I realised how long ago that initial trip had happened. Yet, all these years later, the place still stood and functioned quite well.

We were greeted at the entrance by what seemed like a heavily pregnant donkey, who seemed very keen to stay in the shade of one of the manyattas. We, quite obviously, left the mother-to-be to her peace and conquered our own space. We were starving so food was first on the agenda. We’ve realised that Ayiko likes the chips and Aleru likes the chicken. Divide and conquer has always been an excellent strategy! FYI, the goat is great.

 

     

While we were eating, one of those pesky toy salesmen showed up with their balloons and toy guns. A couple of tantrums later, we were armed and ready for fun. In a related matter, Aleru performs a wonderful balloon dance, almost in time with whatever music is playing.

Ayiko made a friend, well, almost. This littling showed up, scared of the slide until he saw Ayiko slipping and sliding away. With a bit of coaxing, and under Ayiko’s watch, he found the courage to risk the journey downhill. However, as soon as that episode was over, Ayiko moved on. Quite literally, he moved to the see-saw but abandoned it when the friend showed up. That was the end of that union.

 So we moved on to exploration of the railway track and the surrounding green. The boys disappeared for a bit while Aleru and I had a little girl time

It’s a great space with lots to do for under 5 year olds. In addition, there’s what seems like a nice pool [again, too many people for us] and it’s less than 20 minutes away from our current home. We’ll definitely be back. Now, can we discuss how much these childrenof mine look like their Acholi relatives?

 

The guy with his own Zoo [Kavumba Recreation Park]

So, I recently learnt that there’s a zoo in Wakiso. I didn’t know it was possible for an individual to own animals other than dogs, cats, and farm animals. I thought wild animals belonged to the government or some kind of institution. Apparently, I was wrong. This guy owns a real zoo, with ostriches, various types of monkeys, skunks, snakes, zebras antelopes, horses, several wild birds and a whole host of creatures. He even had cute little guinea pigs and rabbits [which, I was told, are food for the snakes!].

              

If you’re not interested in the animals, there are loads of options of things to do at Kavumba Recreation Park. The swimming pool was overwhelmingly full when we went [it was a Sunday, after all] so we didn’t bother going that way. Ayiko does not like crowds, in general, and I don’t like crowds in pools.

Besides the pool, there’s a forest for adventurous souls to camp in, a night club [for when curfew is lifted J] and a spa situation; with a massage and sauna. They’ve even got accommodation onsite, so that you can make the time to enjoy each activity in peace – because one shouldn’t set deadlines of how long one can enjoy peace and quiet. There’s a conference hall attached to the hotel. So, you can convince the boss to use it for the next work event or team building activity.

Meanwhile, my people relished sampling the offerings from the restaurant. The fried fish was sublime! I think fried fish may become my new staple park/green space food. It always tastes great. Even Aleru joined in, though she eventually gravitated to a drum stick. We were glad.

This guy, whoever he is, seems to be a supporter of not just wild life, but of sports too. There’s a fully functional football pitch, complete with changing rooms and bleachers. On the day we were there, we found a serious game going on.

Ayiko and his Papi, since we don’t like crowds, were able to get their own game going on the side. There’s so much space that we found another group playing cricket in another section of the park.

And then, of course, there’s the children’s park, with motorized cars, donkeys for hire and the usual slides, swings, rocking horses, see-saws and merry-go-rounds.

Then, finally, there was ice cream. Needless to say, Ayiko and mi Leritu slept all the way to Monday morning.

When I grow up, I want a zoo of my own.

The Zoo Affair

Ayiko has a video about a number farm that helped him learn how to count to 20. [We can now count to 100, on a good day!] So, anyway, I got the idea that he might enjoy seeing the animals from the number farm in person [at some point in his life I will have to explain that lions, cheetahs and elephants are not typical farm animals].

 We went to the zoo to quench our thirst for green space. However, unfortunately, for us, there is a cunning lady with a table of toys for sale a few feet from the entrance. You see that helicopter in his hand, that was the end of any lessons on animals – any lessons on anything.

Aleru was thrilled to see the sand. We’ve been to the Port Bell landing site for fish and chips. So, in theory she’s seen the lake before. However, this time, the sand was clean and safe for her to dip her toes in.

            

At the very least, we discovered a potential venue for birthday parties in the future, when it becomes safe to be happy again! In addition to the assortment of exotic creatures, the Uganda Wildlife Educational Centre has access to a beach, a well equipped playground, swimming pool and green space perfect for picnicking. The restaurant was closed when we were there. However, if the management is the same as it was about 5 years ago, they have excellent fish and chips – whole fish – not the fish fillet of the bazungu. They even have little huts and benches right by the lake that are perfect for small parties and long leisurely lunches. 

We tried to see as many animals as possible – despite Ayiko’s lack of interest. As a result, we weren’t able to try out the entire playground. We had to leave early-ish to make it to a lunch date with cousins who live on Entebbe road. The playground has some free activities like swings, play houses, obstacle courses, trampoline and rocking horses as well as paid activities like motorised rides, quad bike racing.

As we headed out of the zoo, we passed by the cunning toy lady. This time she tried to entice Ayiko with a digger. He, poor thing, thought we could swap toys since he had played enough with the helicopter. Of course there was a tantrum, because of course the toy lady would not swap and we were not about to buy another toy. And, that’s why he’s hiding his face in this photo. Aleru’s wondering what everyone is fussing about.

For now, good bye and good luck

KCCA Gardens, Kamwokya

Initially, we had planned to picnic in the garden at the Baha’i Temple. However, after driving to Kawempe we were told that they were not yet open to the public because of COVID-19 restrictions. I did a frantic online search and found a suggestion that there was a space in Kamwokya. We were pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful space right in the heart of the city.

Adjacent to Café Javas, Kamwokya, is a fantastic patch of well-maintained greenery. I’ve driven by this place several times and never given a second thought to what lied behind the trees. After wondering around for a bit we discovered that, the only way to enter is through the Javas lower parking lot, which explains why I initially thought the space belonged to the café. [The signs in the lot declare that the parking space if for Javas customers only. So, either you apply your negotiation skills or purchase something from Javas to gain permission to park there. You could also park at Acacia Mall or Kisementi.]

Once we went through the gate we were greeted by the gentle slopes of the green lawn, surrounded by majestic trees and tropical plants. There are two paths leading out from the entrance. On one side, the path winds around the garden and leads you to two huts with fixed surround seating and a small table at the centre.

We set up camp on this side of the garden and I immediately got engrossed in my favourite activity – people watching! There was plenty of space to toss a ball about, run and roll in the grass. There were so many birthday parties [showing the various economic backgrounds of the hosts and celebrants.] There was even a secluded corner that was taken up by a pair of lovebirds, gazing into each other’s eyes.

On the other side, the path led us round the corner to a more secluded part of the garden, with a little forest. This area was taken up by several groups involved in photoshoots and videos. It seems like a popular venue for that perfect picture with mothers dragging their children there, advertisers shooting hair extension adverts, teenagers chilling and chatting amongst each other as well as the typical campus girl day out.

Ayiko was thrilled to have trees to climb and space to roam and roll freely. Even Aleru enjoyed plucking the grass and being pushed about in her pram. I can’t help wondering how good it looks, given that it’s a public space.

We shall return.

The Church Next Door

For the days when driving around town is not feasible [we own a 1996 Toyota Mark II, so the mechanic is our friend], we’ve discovered a great space just 15 minutes away, as Ayiko walks. Once upon a time, before the children came along, we visited Watoto Church in Ntinda and noticed that it has a large lawn and football field below the church buildings. I’d forgotten all about it until lockdown happened. Ayiko and I started a habit of walking around our village for at least an hour every day. Eventually, we brought Leritu along and strapped her onto my back as we wandered about and stared at our neighbours.

During one of these walks, Ayiko was intrigued by a flock of ducks [or were they geese] in a nearby stream. We followed the stream and found ourselves at the bottom of the Watoto Church lawn. Ayiko was hesitant to venture off our usual path. [He strongly distrusts anything new and unusual.] However, once he saw the space, climbed the little hills and run around the football field, he was converted.

Now, it’s his favourite non-car related adventure venue. There is the added advantage that every time we go there, I end up buying a soda and those little cheap plastic toy cars from a nearby duuka [see the kaveera he’s carrying]. So, what’s not to love?

I’m surprised there aren’t more people roaming around this space. Surely the football should entice the village to congregate [if not the church]. Nonetheless, it’s scarcely used by the community. Sometimes we’ll find the odd Christian sitting and praying under a tree. But it’s not thing like any other public spaces in the city. If you’re the kind that’s into bird watching, it could be an easy and quick excursion. There’s a little stream at the bottom of the valley which attracts some interesting creatures.

We shall definitely keep this one on our short list.