Blogs from Arusha, North, Tanzania, Africa - page 9

Day 7 Ok, so one would think that with the pervious day we deserved, even earned, a leisurely walk out to the gate and a VERY much needed shower. Not so apparently. We learned late the previous evening that the hike out today was "around" 18k?! What?! Bleep, bleep!! Every time we had a briefing, Joseph would say our walk before lunch, to our destination or anywhere for that matter would take 3-5 hours. Today was no different and started out at 7 with the goal of reaching the gate at 12:30-1pm. We were still high enough when we started to be above the clouds, our last sunrise on the mountain and it was a beauty. As we descended, the vegetation became more lush and green, it made a nice change from the rocks and inescapable ... read more

Sorry no pictures. Wifi is a hit and miss in Africa! Day 2 We woke this morning to the majestic Mawenzi peak in the background. WOW! The view was breathtaking. We were also able to catch the odd glimpse of Kibo which is the final destination. It looked pretty manageable from this distance. We were told that this would be a long and hard day and no truer words spoken. We would walk 15k and gain 1000ft in altitude. The morning was the hardest however as we did the lions share of the climbing before lunch with the sun beating down upon us relentlessly. It is worth noting that the intensity of the sun seemed too increase with every foot of elevation gained. Most of our group wilts in the heat and by the time we ... read more

Entering Arusha’s central bus station it is chaotic and stressful experience. Two white heads sticking out in the local transportation from Babati. We noticed that taxi drivers, bus ticket sellers, safari guides were running after our bus when they got a sight of us and before we got off the bus we heard all kind of services we could get in this town and whole Tanzania. Everyone was like bees around a honey pot and we are quite used that in the hectic touristic areas (in this case Arusha) Africans see a white person like a dollar sign. Actually our poor Swahili skills helped to get rid of all kind of sellers since they are not used that a “mzungu” (white-faced) speaks their language. In general all tourists are sitting in a safe safari car and ... read more

The Somali 'land' pirates have come ashore and inland to Ngaramtoni village, Arusha. Well, just one to be exact (I'm not actually sure if she constitutes a pirate as she does not say 'aarhh' and did not have a parrot or an eyepatch). She landed last month. Lovely lady, came a-knocking at our gate with what I beleived to be her elderly mother asking all about our house, the rent we paid etc. as she planned to build on her plot next to the house we rent and then rent it out as our landlord (very important man in this story) had done. Well, only a few weeks later we find ourselves hostage in our own home unable to escape (at least not by motorised vehicle) as it turns out her plot actually extends across the ... read more

So, I'm off home tomorrow - and for the most of you reading this I'm probably going to catch up with you properly and give you all the deets!! Zanzibar was a great break off village life, paradise- white sandy beaches, palm trees and the bright blue indian ocean! Certainly had my fill of eating over the time spent in Kendwa, topped off with lots of fresh fruit and a few cheeeeky cocktails - which were probably far too alcoholic for my own good!! We spent 3 days in Kendwa, one of which was a snorkling trip where I have never felt so seasick in my life....Emma was actually sick... but having a swim and looking down at all the fishes and coral below was pretty! And then we got stung by several jelly fish....JOY!! This ... read more