I spent a whole day relaxing at the beach. In the evening, I laced up my hiking boots and headed to Rubona Hill. As I walked along the busy streets of Gasiza, I poked my nose into other people’s businesses and got a glimpse into their daily lives.
When I made it to the summit, I used a pair of binoculars to zoom in the view of downtown Goma in the neighboring DR Congo. The city's Central Business District (CBD) is a hive of activity. I also had a blurry view of Nyiragongo, the notorious volcano known for its history of spitting fire and causing mayhem.
On the other side of the hill, I was awestruck by the beauty of Akeza, k’Abakobwa, k’Abakingi and Iwawa islands. From my vantage point, Amashyuza Peninsula looked like an island too.
While strolling around the crest, I marveled at lavish homes and a number of ongoing high-end housing projects. One construction site attracted my attention. The proposed leisure facility, at an altitude of 2,500 meters above sea level, is an intriguing project. Hopefully, the facility will be operational during my next visit.
The trail I pursued is easy to navigate. One can even drive a four-wheel drive vehicle all the way to the summit. However, the said route is longer. The shortcut rises sharply from the lakeside tarmac. Its rocky, steep gradient is preferred by vigorous hikers.
My Rubona hiking experience was followed by one more night in Rubavu. Then I proceeded to Rutsiro District. The next three posts in this section will reveal what transpired during my stay in the latter.