Rafting Photos and Leaving Party.

Two days before I flew back to the UK we comandered a raft from Nile River Explorers and headed down from Bujagali all the way to the Hairy Lemon. Why? For me it was a chance to get some shots of the rapids for a new set of Operating Procedures the raft companies are bringing out. For others it was a free lift down to the Lemon, and for others still it was a chance to have a go at Rafting. With a waterproof camera in hand we headed off, nursing hangovers from the night before, but stoked to be fooling around on the river with friends. In the raft was Sam - (nominated nupty client in his pax jacket and helmet), Morgan (beat down legend), Jim the Brave, and me - selfishly not paddling at all so I could take photos. We had a safety crew of Hot Anna 3, and Kanami, who after the first few rapids got the hint that they should be in front of the raft and not flollowing behind.

First we had to launch the raft. This was done with precision and grace...

With that sorted we were on our way. With a long way to go we obviously needed an early start to the day. Something like 1.30pm?! Not great, but we were confident we could get to the Lemon before dark... ...maybe.

-Below Retrospect-

-Dropping into Vengence - Anna getting beaten in the distance-

-Sick surf on Nile Special!-

Just before dark we made it down to Nile Special. Having not flipped in Bujagali, Silverback or the Bad Place (all the massive rapds), we were keen for a surf - so we paddled back up the eddy and headed back in!! With a little deflation of the tubes we got in for a great surf and floated down to the Island stoked with the day.

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As we puled in to the Hairy Lemon we were met by a giant Mud Wrestling arena and an island full of merry English men & women having a final party before they flew home. As I was leaving in a couple of days I felt compelled to stay and we even managed to persuade Hot Anna the 3rd to stay for a party. Woop-woop!!

Not even out of my paddling gear I somehow ended up testing out the mud. It stank pretty bad and was a little 'abrasive'!! But the company was good so I didn't mind...

And who did we have to thank for the mud?


The big man himself Marky-Mark Birbeck - ladies watch out...


First up the girls, rules - hold your opponant on their back for 10 seconds...

-Laura, George and another mud coverered Laydee going hard-out-

-The Money Shot-

In a close final it was the crazy Kiwi and nun-wannabe Laura who came out on top so to speak, but in the grand spirit of goodwill the top prize of a night in the sugarshack (The most luxury accomodation on the island) was given out to all three of the ladies for their sterling efforts, and mostly because after them, everybody else wimped out.


So with the Mud wresting behind us the party really kicked off - shooters were mandatory, we drank all the beer, work the next day was cancelled and some of us even managed to party through until sunrise.

-Hot Anna the 3rd (with borrowed clothes)-


-Shake Faces - Laura, George & Jenny-

-Tastey stuff-

-The party getting started-

After a while it seemed standing around wasn't enough, and we started dancing. Hands up who's seen Davey O'Hare dance?!! Not a regular occurance by any means but the Scottish jig was out to play this night, and it was funny as hell...

-Anna & Davey show their skills-

-Get in!-

-I'm going to get beaten up for this photo, but it's just too funny-

And that's about it. I'm now back in the UK, I think we've all sobered up, tomorrow I head to France for a bit of snowboarding. First stop is Val D'Isere for a night, then Morzine and then Switzerland. I'll let you know how I get on.

Easy.