Tuesday, November 4, 2025

The return trip from Kampala, Uganda back to Tampa, Florida

The journey from my hotel in Kampala to my home in Madeira Beach was about 38 hours in total, including the drive from Kampala to Entebbe airport, flight #1 (Entebbe to Doha), flight #2 (Doha to JFK), and flight #3 (JFK to Tampa), and the drive from Tampa to Madeira Beach. 

It was the same route as my outbound journey -- again on Qatar Airways and JetBlue.  The flight from Entebbe to Doha left at 5:30 pm -- and then my flight in Doha departed at 1:45 AM. I have never caught a flight in the middle of the night before.  Everything at the airport was open 24 hours - and it was as bustling at midnight as it had been during the daytime on my outbound flights.

I have to say, I was very pleased with the service on the Qatar flights (and I got so much work done with the free wifi on the 15-hour flight from Doha to JFK).  I loved the airport in Doha. So many dining and shopping options!  My Plan A was to dine at the Gordon Ramsay restaurant or the Harrod's Tea Room on that way home (open 24 hours) -but - after my shopping escapades at the PopMart shop - there really wasn't much time - and I wasn't actually hungry.  So I enjoyed a flat white at the Ralph Lauren cafe that overlooks the garden. And I did take a quick stroll through the garden with the waterfall for a moment of zen before the long flight to JFK.  Despite the concerns given the US federal government shutdown, I had no issues with delays at JFK or TPA. Whew.  It was a long journey - but all went smoothly.

my host - Dr Edward Kaweesi - picked me up at the hotel and made sure to see me off on my long journey home - sad to be leaving already - but - we have developed a strong partnership with many projects underway



flight #1 Entebbe to Doha

landing in Doha



On the way TO Entebbe this shop was "Opening Soon" -- a month later - it was OPEN



Why, yes -- I DID do some holiday shopping at the airport in Doha LOL







Plan A was to try the Gordon Ramsay's or the Harrod's Tea Room (both of which open 24 hours/day) - but I didn't have that much time and I wasn't hungry - so I enjoyed a flat white in this marvelous garden - taking in the overnight views 

on the flight from Doha to JFK


when you fly through JFK on Halloween





This is the book - Ugandan political satire - that I purchased at the IRO table at the ARUA conference 

heading home from the Tampa airport 

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