Day 1

Right so here we go! welcome to "banter and the chode's" first ever blog! as some of you already know there have been many Laurence and Holden adventures in the past but non have been crediblly documented and probably for good reason (Amsterdam prime example), as beer, loud music and women result in only two outcomes a) massive headache or b) massive headache followed by rolling over and posing the question "was it good for you?" Cardiff's many adventures also remain undocumented which again trust me is for the best and despite what Mitch tells you "For Your Eyes Only" definitely has a no touching and camera policy.

Anyway this time we sacked off the UK summer lash and decided to go lurking in east Africa on the premiss " I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them." ~Mark Twain.

After a heavy week of Gottwood and Beach Break music festivals post-exams we were more than prepared and organised for the following 3 months in Uganda together with its neighbor Rwanda which are the only countries with Mountain Gorillas in the world. The first stop was casa holden which to say the least was interesting...a few glasses of red wine in the evening and Gerry starts mincing around the kitchen holding a banana to his crotch exclaiming "I will be the first male headmaster of Cheltenham Ladies College!"

The following day we are taken to the pub for one last beer and off to London to find Bill 'chill' Laurence who would put us up for 2 nights and make sure we have the appropriate kilimanjaro gear from his temple of outdoor activities and persuits; 'Decathlon' in canada water. However inevitably after shopping this resulted in more beers, burgers and dirty jokes. Now thoroughly prepared and tipsy as hell we arise at 6am and head to heathrow to Dubai as part of a transfer flight...negative. We did however on arrival (after complementary wine) steal the pillow cases from the flight, put them on our heads, and run off the aeroplane screaming "SHHHAALLALALLALA"...naturally this didn't bode well with security and we searched thoroughly on arrival....twice.

A short trip to the mall of Emirates, 44 degrees outside, instant sweaty sack, saw Jack Jenkins lookalike in full arab attire, spicey curry, paid too much on the metro, beers, world cup and the most uncomfortable departure lounge chairs i've ever had the discomfort to sit on; hence this very detailed and acute journalistic master peice of a blog. Currently 5am in Dubai and flying to Entebbe at 08:20...might get a luggage trolley and hit some serious speeds to pass the time. Righto I'm off, the next post will be from Uganda....

Banter and the Chode xx