weekend of peace and quiet!

Had a wonderful weekend. Went camping at a place called Ngwempisi (still having trouble with the multiple consonant sounds). It’s a community tourist initiative where all the proceeds from the camp go into the local communities. The eco-camp is set in the mountains in this extremely rural part of Swaziland. There was no electricity but we did have running water.

All of the hikers/campers shared on big hut built along side the mountain. Everything used to build the hut was taken from the land – stone walls, local wood and so forth. One wall of the hut was the face of the mountain (rock), ¼ was wood/stone and the rest was all open concept. I could see the stars from the top of my bunk bed. The best part was the washroom. It had proper plumping and a shower but it was completely outside. You’d sit on the toilet and you could almost hang your feet over the side of the mountain. Despite the cold water it was the best shower I’ve ever had – I almost felt like I was in Japan again preparing for an onsen. It felt so nice just to relax and hear nothing but birds, wind in the trees, the river below and the occasional dog barking.

1. entrance to the hut
2. bathroom
3. moi