A Travel Story Told by Peace Imelda

For years, my world was a predictable landscape of spreadsheets and deadlines, a quiet hum in a university office. As a bursar, my life was a neat, well-balanced ledger, and the word “adventure” was a romantic fantasy I filed away under ‘Things I’ll Do Someday.’ But on the last day of July, with the sun setting like a final, fiery edit to my old life, I decided to close the ledger and hit the road. With my energetic one-year-old baby girl, Macaria (or “Baby White,” as we affectionately call her) in tow, I embarked on what would become my first true journey, a pilgrimage from my routine to the heart of Eastern Uganda.

The adventure began not with a quiet reflection, but with a full-blown party. Joining the Western Uganda Summit Seekers, a boisterous union of hiking and trekking clubs, was my first step into the unknown. The anticipation was electric, the energy in our group chat palpable. Our travel from Ibanda and joining up more lively souls in Mbarara for a road trip by bus, transformed into a mobile disco. Our driver, Mr. Praise, was less a navigator and more a master of ceremonies, steering us through the night to a soundtrack of current Ugandan hits and contagious laughter. The old me, the one who meticulously tracked debits and credits, was left behind in a trail of dust, replaced by a new, unapologetically goofy me doing crazy dance moves with friends I hadn’t even met yet.

A Hilarious Detour and a Champion’s Call

Our journey was peppered with spontaneous, photo-worthy moments. The first major one was a pit stop at the iconic Jinja Bridge, a steel behemoth gracefully arching over the majestic Nile. It was a chaotic and hilarious scramble to get the perfect shot. We struck triumphant poses, contorted ourselves into acrobatic shapes, and laughed until our stomachs hurt, all to capture that one epic photo. It was the perfect pause before the grand finale of our trip, a reminder that the journey itself was just as important as the destination.

But not every part of the path was perfectly charted. As we finally rolled into the misty hills of Sebei land, tired but buzzing with anticipation, a small twist in the road emerged. My heart sank a little when I realized my role as a bursar followed me for a bit—I had to take a small detour to our university branch, missing the morning activity at the Teryet National Sports Training Centre. I missed the chance to run in the footsteps of champions I’d long admired, like Kiprotich and Cheptegei. Yet, as a mother and a traveler, I found a different kind of prize. My detour was a quiet discovery, filled with the shy smiles and enthusiastic waves of local children I met along the way. It was a beautiful, personal experience that reminded me that the most rewarding moments are often the ones you don’t plan for.

A Mother’s Triumphant Hike at Sipi

When I rejoined my fellow adventurers at Sipi Falls, the collective energy hit me like a splash of cold water. This was my first-ever real hike, and it was a proper baptism by fire! With my baby in a carrier and a newfound determination, I was ready to trek to the four stunning waterfalls. Each one was a unique, breathtaking spectacle:

1. The First Fall was a thunderous cascade, a muscular brute of water plunging with immense power.
2. The Second was a gentle, veiled curtain, a series of delicate sprays that felt like a whisper against the roaring valley.
3. The Third was a dramatic plunge, a powerful column of water that plummeted into a deep, swirling pool below.
4. The Final Fall was a peaceful, misty spray, a perfect and gentle farewell to our epic trek through nature’s raw beauty.

This wasn’t an easy hike, but the scenic views, the playful banter, and the joyful “bend low and go down” dance moves we shared on the treacherous trail made the difficult trek feel like a victory lap. This journey proved that a mother can do anything—even scale mountains—with a baby on her back and a heart full of adventure.

The Unstoppable Mother: Dancing on Water

From the mountains of Kapchorwa, we returned to Jinja, our bodies tired but our spirits soaring to the heights. Our final day was a grand celebration, a victory lap that began with a boat cruise to the historical Source of the Nile. The boat was a floating party, filled with music and laughter. As I stood on a small island, holding my baby, I watched in profound wonder as the calm lake water began its long, mighty journey north. It was a powerful, humbling sight.

Initially, I watched from the sidelines, content to cradle my daughter. But the music, the energy, and the sheer joy of my new friends were an irresistible force. In a moment of pure bliss, I handed my daughter to a kind helper and joined the party, dancing with my colleagues in a joyful celebration. It was a moment of liberation, a beautiful reminder that a mother can and should take a moment to be just herself, to dance, to laugh, and to feel the pure, unadulterated joy of the moment.

The grand finale was at Busowoko Falls. This was where I finally, truly let go. From the exhilarating thrill of tubing down the river to swimming in the refreshing waters, and simply soaking in the mesmerizing views of the majestic Nile, it was all an insanely amazing experience. I will never forget the powerful, invigorating “water massage” I received from the river’s current. It was a sensation that washed away the last traces of my old, predictable life.

Here’s a breakdown of the incredible benefits I reaped from this extraordinary journey:

• A New Perspective on Life: The travel helped me break free from my predictable routine as a university bursar, leaving behind a life of “spreadsheets and deadlines.” The experience gave me a “new lease on life” and a “profound sense of self.”
• Proof of Empowerment as a Mother: The journey was a powerful testament that motherhood and adventure are not mutually exclusive. I proved to myself that I could “scale mountains—with a baby on back back” and still find moments for myself, like dancing on the boat cruise.
• Human Connection: I gained new friends and a sense of camaraderie. My trip highlights is that the trip was “about the people” as much as it was about the places, with new friends who shared “their best moments and their best moves.”
• Physical and Emotional Rejuvenation: The trip provided a physically invigorating experience. The “water massage” at Busowoko Falls was a sensation that “washed away the last traces of my old, predictable life,” leaving my body tired but my “spirits soaring.”

My Message to All the Women and Mothers

This journey was a series of high moments: camaraderie, dancing on a bus, hiking Sipi, the panoramic views from the boat cruise, and the exhilarating touch of the Nile’s currents. More than the places, this trip was about the people—the new friends who shared their best moments and their best moves. This journey, with my baby as my travel companion, was a testament to the fact that motherhood and adventure are not mutually exclusive.

To all the women and mothers out there, I want to say this: It is okay to break free from the routine. It is okay to take on the adventure you’ve always dreamed of. The uncharted path may seem daunting, but it is also where you will find the most beautiful views and the most profound sense of self. Hand your baby to a kind helper and dance. Get your feet wet. Feel the “water massage” of life’s currents. You are capable, you are strong, and you deserve every exhilarating moment.

I’ve found a new lease on life, and I’m ready to pull to the heights. I’m ready for many more days of exploring and discovering the wonders of the world. Who’s ready to join me? Subscribe to for more of my travel stories.