There is always something new to discover at Fazenda Sengha. Over the years, I have visited this recreational facility on the slopes of Mount Kigali several times, trying out different activities, including horseback riding, zip-lining, and archery. Each visit has offered something different. My most recent outing, however, was not about adventure for me. It was a kids' day out!
I had taken the children to enjoy some of their favorite activities. Having done my fair share of exploring Fazenda Sengha over the years, I was happy to take a back seat this time. I grabbed a cup of coffee, found a comfortable spot and settled down with a good book. It was the perfect arrangement. The children were having fun, and I had some uninterrupted reading time.
A couple of chapters later, I closed my book and decided to stretch my legs. I took a leisurely walk around the facility, taking in the familiar surroundings and checking out what might have changed since my last visit. That was when something caught my eye. There, on a grassy patch, was a giant chessboard with oversized black and white pieces. Now, that was something I hadn't seen before!
I stopped to take a closer look. What on earth was this? Were we actually supposed to play chess on the ground? I wasn't alone in my confusion. Another visitor had also stopped to inspect the unusual setup. We exchanged puzzled looks and tried to figure out how the game worked. We wanted to ask someone from the management, but there was no one in sight.
Well, curiosity got the better of us. With no instructions and no one around to explain the rules, we decided to investigate for ourselves. We started moving the oversized pieces, trying to make sense of the arrangement. One move led to another, and before long, we were no longer just inspecting the chessboard. We were playing!
Somewhere along the way, our curiosity had turned into a proper game. We had discovered a new activity at Fazenda Sengha and, in the excitement of the moment, completely forgotten that we hadn't booked or paid for it. Nobody had invited us to play. Nobody had even explained how the game worked. We had simply found it, figured it out and helped ourselves to a little entertainment.
So, here is my confession to the management of Fazenda Sengha: I came to your facility to give the children a day of fun, but ended up treating myself to an activity I hadn't paid for. I hope you won't sue me. In our defense, you cannot put a giant chessboard on the grass and expect curious visitors to walk past without stopping!
Jokes aside, I thought it was a wonderful addition to the facility. Giant chess brings a different kind of fun to the outdoor experience. It invites visitors to slow down, think strategically and interact with one another in a way that is quite different from the more physically demanding activities.
I left Fazenda Sengha reminded that some of the best experiences are the ones you don't plan. I had gone there to keep the children entertained while enjoying a quiet afternoon with my book and coffee. Instead, I found myself drawn into an unexpected game of giant chess. It was another reminder that Fazenda Sengha has a knack for surprising even its returning visitors. Clearly, I still have more exploring to do, and probably an outstanding bill to settle!