We were treated to 2 nights at an all inclusive ´resort´ last week with all the new teachers and our principals and the school´s Director. It was about a 2 and 1/2 hour drive from Luanda across the Kwanzaa River, past Kisamma National Park and a 20 min. boat ride down the Long River (you can only arrive by boat). The hotel consists of 8 canvas cabins and a dining/lounge cabin which sit on a small island on the river all linked by wooden planked pathways which are about 6 feet off the ground. There is no electricity, which would have been really nice had there been clear skies while we were there. It would be a great place for stargazing. Fortunately, they have running water, hot showers, etc.
The area around the hotel was very scenic. You’ll see in the pictures that the hotel is located where the river meets the ocean. We saw lots of wildlife, mostly birds and crabs, but some people saw alligators and I saw a monkey on the river bank as we were leaving the hotel. During the day we went kayaking, had long walks on the beach and sat around getting to know our new colleagues. The food at the hotel was great! They had 2 Phillipino cooks and they did a great job. I ate about a million ginger cookies in 2 days…yum!
On the way back to town we had a quick stop at Caboledo Beach, which it apparently the surf beach. It was beautiful and maybe Rodrigo will learn to surf and we’ll spend lots of time there :)
-
- Getting on the boat to get to the Rio Longa hotel
-
- Bilbao trees and Angola women washing their clothes
-
- Here we are at the dock arriving at the hotel
-
- Rodrigo on the varanda of our cabin
-
- Sea eagle searching for it’s next meal
-
- I’d never seen freshwater crabs, but this one likes chillin’ on the lily pads
-
- View down the river from our cabin
-
- Nearby fishing village
-
- The hotel cabins from across the river
-
- Rodrigo on the beach pointing to the river on the left and the ocean on the right
Can you believe that this is your new home for 2 years? Has it set in yet????
Liz, I’m glad you are enjoying the blog. I’m not sure how many people are actually checking it out, but I think it’s a great diary that I’ll have to look back on over the years. As for our new home…it has set in and so far we are really enjoying it and excited about all the great travel and cultural experiences that lie ahead. Right now we’re focused on the start of the school year and settling in to our new jobs. I miss you and hope that you, Brody and Scott are well. I will try and call when I get a chance, but we are 7 hours ahead of you. Love ya, Mara
Po, varios lugares maneiros nas redondezas da escola hein?! Que maneiro!!! E a escola realmente parece se esforçar pra deixar todos o mais confortável possível né??
Agora… vamo combinar… Talvez o Rodrigo aprenda a surfar??? Quer enganar quem? Mara… mais fácil você aprender a surfar e o Rodrigo ficar aplaudindo na areia! :)