Hello and welcome to travel + explore & play with Sallee Jay, I am your host.
If one is lucky in life, they are able to make 2 or 3 really good friends. It’s even better when those friends become family. Allow me to introduce you to one of those people in my life, Rachel Nava. Recently, we traveled to Nola to celebrate my longtime sister-friend affectionally dubbed “Chacon” for her 50th birthday and 5th wedding anniversary and we had a blast.
Rachel and I met when we worked together almost 20 years ago and have always managed to stay in touch. She is a rare and beautiful soul and the epitome of a true friend.
Gorilla Trekking is serious business, it is not just an activity to get a shot for the “gram!,” and while I am sure that adrenaline junkies all over the world have been drawn to go down this path — gorilla trekking is for individuals who embrace and value nature. Gorilla trekking is for the conservationist, naturalist and animal lover at heart. It’s an opportunity to see an endangered species while trying to understand the very complex issues surrounding the decline of this GREAT APE and the beautiful resources of Africa.
Now that we have all of that out of the way, on to the gorillas!
Welcome to Travel + Explore & Play with Sallee Jay, I am your host. While my entire trip to Africa was transformative, my solo travel to Lake Mutanda is an experience that I’ll never forget. This is going to be a long one so go grab a snack, something to drink and sit back relax and enjoy my story of healing, walking in purpose and pure joy! Follow along, as I describe my private chartered flight, a day in the life of a traditional African and my charming accommodations in the Kisoro district of Uganda.
Our raft guide Josh explained the layout of our 4 hour day and then asked, “does anyone want to hop off the raft and take a swim before we meet our first set of rapids?” Naturally, I had some apprehension as I am not the strongest swimmer, I was with new friends and in unfamiliar surroundings….
As I debated the decision in my head, the next thing that I heard was a big “SPLASH” in the Nile River. Manny, the youngest member of our entourage had taken the plunge. Never one to be outdone, I leaned back and fell into the water! I REPEAT‼️‼️ -- I am not the best swimmer, that said, we had on lifejackets, I love the water and I have strong faith. As the cool water touched my sun kissed brown skin and engulfed my entire body, I felt reborn. As I began to rise to the surface of the water, a feeling of euphoria came over me --- followed immediately by shear panic because I realized that I had just JUMPED in the middle of the Nile RIVER!!!!!
Welcome to travel ➕explore ➕play with Sallee Jay, where I am your host. 👋🏾💓‼️ Want a great suggestion for a great off the beaten path destination getaway, keep reading!
Listen I don’t generally mess around with ghosts and spooky things, that said I’ve always wanted to stay in a hostel and I love exploring charming historic places. Have you ever heard of “haunted hotel industry?”
