Monday 15 September 2008

IF - The Ssese Islands

Sailing the Ssese Islands

At Lake Victoria’s north-western corner, in Uganda, are the 84 forested islands of the Ssese archipelago. The islands float like green jewels in this vast stretch of water which is constantly replenished by melting snow from the craggy peaks of The Mountains of The Moon. Not every island is inhabited so a day’s sailing will bring you to your very own deserted island paradise where the rainforests are alive with birds, vibrant butterflies, brightly coloured frogs, cheeky Colobus monkeys and the unique Sitatunga antelope. If you’re lucky, you may well see a family of chimps high up in the forest canopy chatting noisily to one another.

On the inhabited islands, the small fishing villages along the shores signify the importance of the lake for food. With the huge Nile Perch, the tasty Tilapia and the tiny Omena being the main catches, the lake waters are also filled with delicious little freshwater crayfish and soft shell crabs. For a dollar or two, you can buy the fish just as they are landed and have yourself a banquet!


16 comments:

Emily said...

Beautifully illustrated and invitingly written! (Alas your IF link seems broken!)

Azulita said...

Your painting and description of the Ssese Islands are charming. Sounds and looks like such a wonderful place I can see why you would be homesick. You've made me want to visit.

Anonymous said...

I love your use of silhouettes! Lovely story and illustration.

valerie walsh said...

WOW! So wonderful!!! There is nothing finer than seeing beauty and learning something new too :) This would make a beautiful silkscreen print. I would love to link to you if you don't mind?

Rowena said...

Lovely and charming. It seems fable like, but also very real.

Asja said...

beautiful illustration! i also enjoyed reading the story about the islands.

and thank you for lovely comment on my blog!

kathy hare said...

thankyou for your lovely comment, I am so glad you did because I have now found your blog.. you have had such an interesting life and your art and your writing are beautiful..

ale balanzario said...

Just beautiful!!!

Mônica said...

Such beautiful, rich colors, and such a captivating description of the Ssese Islands. Really beautiful!

Bella Sinclair said...

Oh my goodness, the vibrant colors are wonderful and invigorating! What a charming and beautiful scene. From your other posts, you seem quite worldly, but it's obvious the place closest to your heart is Africa.

Thank you so much for your sweet comment.

Unknown said...

Lovely painting!

... said...

Very nice here. And... it's obvious that you have your Home in your Heart. :)

Angela Matteson said...

Beautiful work of a beautiful place. The way you describe it makes me wish I was there seeing it in person right now. :)

Denise Gallagher said...

Beautiful image...
both the story and the illustration.
I felt like I was whisked away for a moment... thank you!

And thanks so much for your kind comment!

Denise

Mark Cavell said...

Wonderful composition beautifully painted. I love your use of vibrant colour and flat black.

soulbrush said...

have been to victoria falls, magical place.the vibrancy...wow! i see you are also an aquarian and that your name is the same as my second name (tess)...