Day 14: Tick off the bucket list: swimming in the Nile!!

​Today started off with coffee and tea at Suubi, before jumping in a van for white water rafting - on the Nile River! We travelled for 25 minutes before reaching the rafting base where we had an amazing view of the Nile and saw monkeys running through the nearby trees (while drinking some more much-needed coffee). After we drove to the start point of the rapids, we enjoyed a breakfast of half cakes, more Rolexes and yoghurt. 

Then we got our “kit” on, which included a life jacket, helmet and paddle. We were given strict instructions on how to survive in the Nile, and were assured by the staff that no hippos or crocodiles were in the section we would be in (which everyone was very relieved to hear about!). We were given the choice on whether we wanted to go ‘wild’ or ‘tame’ on the rapids; the majority of the Schoolies team went for the ‘wild’ choice, cause when you’re given the chance to go rafting in the Nile, it’s go big - or go home!
 
I was put into a raft with 3 other Schoolies girls, two Dutchmen, one cocoa trader, a doctor, a man named David who sang ‘row row your boat’ for the majority of the day - all led by our very experienced rafter named Tutu.
We spent 4 hours on the water and undertook 8 rapids, ranging from grade 3-5. The first rapid included the raft going down a four metre high waterfall, and let’s just say some of us feared for our lives.
 
But out of all the rapids, the highlight of the day for me was having lunch literally in the Nile. The 4 rafts were all joined together in calm water. As we slowly floated down the Nile we ate chicken rolls followed by the juiciest pineapple I have ever eaten. While eating in the sun I couldn’t believe that we were actually just having lunch in the middle of the Nile River like it was the most causal thing ever; I felt very lucky.
 
Another highlight for those who picked the ‘wild’ ride was flipping the raft completing upside down and floating down the rest of the rapids, before waiting for a man in a kayak to come and pick you up. The water was actually surprisingly warm, so there was no need for a wetsuit - but sunscreen was definitely needed, as we all went home with red noses.
 
We finished the day off with a BBQ and beer provided by the rafting staff while we dried off, and then headed back to Suubi on a one and half hour trip. After some down time we finished the night with a dinner of potatoes and beans.
 
Despite the sunburn, the light-hearted and enjoyable day is one I’m sure many people will use to tick white water rafting off their buckets lists. Today was a highlight on the trip for many, and will always be remembered for being a one in a lifetime opportunity to swim in the NILE RIVER!
 
- Natarsha