Crazy golf?

This may be the most bizarre experience that I have ever written about, but one that I cannot wait to share.

The other Friday night, one of the guys found me late on and asked what I was up to that weekend. I didn’t have anything major planned and asked why? He said that there was some golf thing going on and there was a spare place, was I interested? Well….I wasn’t too sure, but said yes, without any real conviction. Oh my…how much would I have regretting saying no!

I wake up early the next morning and with 11 others from the ship, drive to the north of Lome, to the one golf course in the country. It didn’t take long to see that this ‘invitational’ that we had been invited to was very much an exclusive thing, saved for the haves and haves more of Togo. In short, one of the hotels was opening up a small pitch and putt and so was hosting a 2 day tournament to raise the profile…a bit of a P.R stunt.

So here I am, waiting to play this 9 hole course, in the baking heat, in the knowledge that I’ve not hit a golf ball in a number of years, and even then, when I did hit them, it never went as I expected…..it would be fair to say that the butterflies were a roaming in the tummy!

So, the general overview is that we played in pairs, you both hit, and whoever hit the best shot, you play from there. So, I was very happy to find out that I was playing with a chap called Pierre who it would be fair to say was a rather decent little golfer…so, pressure was off. We then find out that the two guys we are playing with both work for the E.U. in Lome, were part of the election process and had together helped to arrange for $150m worth of aid to the country. So, you’re average Saturday morning….

We play the first hole, Pierre does the business and I’m quite happy. That happiness turns to disbelief though, as we realize that between each hole there is a refreshments stand dedicated to a different country, which is free and open to us all. So, throughout the mornings play, we moved from France to Spain, on to Russia, the USA, Greece, Germany, Turkey and Italy – each with food, wine, beer and other things that you would expect to find in each country. I thought to myself, this is working out very nicely indeed. Pierre plays the big shots, I get to swing without pressure and then have some regular light refreshments to ease me around. And so the morning continued much like that. I am proud to say that I threw 3 shots in that were good enough for Pierre to decide that we should play mine instead of his….but all in all….he carried the team!

The next day, we turn up to play the 5 hole pitch and putt that the hosting hotel has opened, and quickly work our way through those holes, no problem. We then get side swiped again with the lavishness of the occasion as this top notch buffet lunch in the gardens is hosted for us all to enjoy and dine at – again with great food, BBQ, open bar and all the works. A truly ridiculous 2 days, and did I mention the prise…around £8. I’ll say again….Ridiculous!

We then go from that high, to 3 day later, having the President of Togo come and visit the ship, tour around the Hospital and then share a short message with us all, explaining his thankfulness to us all for coming to His country and being willing to help. A very poignant moment was when he said,

“It is in moments like this, when we see what you do, that we come to realize the limits of politics.”

As weeks go, I dare say I have had few that come close to matching one like this. Surreal, simply surreal.

Jungle Journeys

Dear all,

Just a quick apology for the length of time that it has taken to get around to writing this blog – the past month or so has been a little crazy, but amazing in the same breath.

So….where to start where to start where to start…….?

How about at the beginning, I usually find that’s a useful place!

Well, about a month ago, a small bunch of us headed north to a place called Kpalme, which was a good few hours north of Lome. It was so nice to get out of the city and into the countryside, driving through small villages, seeing the scenery grow greener and greener and the landscape far more textured than it is in and around lome.

We stayed in this rather pleasant small guest house and tried to make the most of the short weekend that we had there. So we headed straight out for our hike up the mountain! Although it wasn’t the biggest mountain I’ve ever seen before, with the heat and humidity, it certainly felt like a trek! We were continually put to shame though, as we would huff and puff our way up, dripping with sweat, some small children wearing rag-tag flip flops would dart on past us…..a number of times! We thought this was bad enough, that was until we came up behind a lady carrying not only her child on her back, but a large bucket full of water on her head, filled to the rim, not spilling a drop, as she smoothly managed the rough terrain underfoot to reach her village that was towards the top of the mountain.

I wonder….when was the last time we turned our tap on to get a drink and said thank you Lord….I imagine that this lady would do so with joy in her heart every single time, if only she were to have the chance!

As we reached the top of the mountain, relief from the heat finally came, in the shape of a tropical rain storm. The temperature cooled, the breeze picked up, and the rain drops the size of ping pong balls fell….all the way to the bottom of the mountain. What an experience….to be in a rain forest….and to have it rain! The sound of the water slapping against the huge banana leaves, the slight wind through the canopy, and the huge cracks of thunder that sounded like someone was felling a huge tree right above us. Such fun, such a blessing!

The next day was much the same, as we headed back into the forest, this time in search of a waterfall. Our guide was great, guiding us through the thicket and along paths that would have been easily missed by each of us. We knew however that we were getting close, as the rumble of water over rocks grew louder and that distinctive crashing sound of water falling from a distance could be heard by us all. The track finally began to open up for us and we soon came across our much-awaited destination.  I think the pictures say enough!

On the drive home, I was struck by how quickly the last few years of my life seem to have gone by. I felt as though, when sitting cramped in our rough and ready van, that I was back at school, thinking about what I wanted to do when I left and having no idea….

And then I look at my situation and smile. I love that I am here in Africa. I love that I am part of something that is bigger than me. Something that is making an impact in the lives of those who fly under the radar of the worlds News channels. I love the adventure, the challenges, the ups and downs. I love that I can share this experience with close friends. I love the opportunity and I love you all for supporting me in and through it all.