Hello guys, I'm still here in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Compared to the other countries in East Africa, the country has fewer tourists (most of them come here to trek and see the Mountain Gorillas) instead of visiting the capital! Couldn't upload photos because I've been out most of the time! There's not much attraction here but I spent most of my time walking around the city center, talking to people, riding local buses and the motorbike-taxi! Ha!

I'm staying at Hotel Villa Portofino Kigali which is a 20-minute drive from the city center but has the best view overlooking the hills and the city! It's not a super luxury hotel but the staff is incredibly friendly and they have a beautiful swimming pool! The guy there even gave me his top-card that I can use on the local bus so I will only be paying the locals rate of 30 cents per ride, he didn't want the money but I gave him anyway. The hotel has a salon and spa just opposite the building so I decided to try and get my pedicure and foot spa for less than 9$! ❤️

Based on my personal experience, it seems like Rwanda so far is the most peaceful, quiet, cleanest, and safest country I've been here in Eastern Africa... it's far from the sad reality of what happened during the genocide against killing millions of the Tutsi people in early 1994 which is just 23 years ago! Also, this so far is the only place that I've been that most of the locals I spoke to highly commended their government and the President! I've read that President Kagame is doing a Singapore-style approach that helped to improve their economy after what happened in Rwanda in the '90s! I don't usually talk about politics on my blog (and personal life) but how they changed this country is very very impressive!

Anyway, I went to the Genocide Museum yesterday and spent 4 half of my day watching and reading the stories and history of what caused the "civil war". I'm loving the people here, they are more reserved and disciplined, don't smile that much but really friendly, no beggars or annoying locals asking money from tourists. I was taking public transportation because it's convenient and the roads are great and accessible! Yesterday afternoon, I was looking for the local bus to bring me to the border of Uganda and locals were happy to walk me until I found the bus company. While walking around, some young ladies, approached me (very shy) and just want to talk to me and asking me questions! The young kids were running towards me just smiling and playing with my hair (nope, not asking for money unlike in other countries)! Ha! Another thing I've noticed is that there are NO STRAY DOGS (or maybe I didn't just see them) walking around and then I did a quick search afterward and found out that the dogs here became pack animals and used to eat the dead bodies during and after the genocide. Not great memories! I don't know how to explain this feeling but this African trip so far is really eye-opening. I'm just getting more grateful in life every day! ❤️

Anyway, will be posting more photos later as I'm finally off to my dream adventure - Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Uganda. Will be crossing the border tomorrow. I might not have internet in the next few days but I've scheduled some cool articles for you! =)

P.S. Philippines Passport Holder can get Visa on Arrival for $50 or you can get the East African Visa for $100 that will allow you to enter Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The requirements: Just pre-apply for an e-visa online then upon arrival at the airport, present the form, the passport, and yellow fever vaccine.