Day 1

We were up at 3.30 ready for Paul to collect us at 4.30. When we got to Heathrow we tried the Priority Lounge - a bit basic, but right by our gate, so boarding was very simple. After one false start when we had to go back to T4 as one passenger was taken ill, over an hour later we started again with lots of worried people with onward connections like us. We were OK as the Kili flight was leaving from a nearby gate. The flight was very busy and it took us about 8hrs to fly down to Tanzania. We managed to watch Prince Caspian, between snoozes. So now we have collected our bags; met our driver/guide, Kim who has brought us to Kia Lodge, a typical African lodge with bungalows set in gardens that are within the airport area. Our vehicle seems to be a ten seater landcruiser; ochre yellow and high off the ground. Kim says we can just keep moving around the seats for a change of scene. The seat belts seem a bit battered and I couldn't release mine when we got to the lodge. Alan came to the rescue! The sky is so clear and full of stars and there are lots of bats flying around and geckos running up and down the walls. We have a spacious room with mozzy net, a/c and an en suite shower. Dinner is seafood mousse followed by stuffed zucchini with white rice. We finish off with banana fritters! Alan is starting on the Coke already, but I'm sticking with water after the flight. The cicadas are chirping and it’s just as you always remember Africa.