Day 10

Today we began with breakfast, along with a spoonbill that hopped up and down the garden hedge! This was after we had encountered the incredible yellow slug in the shower - ugh.

Our goal high in the sky

Mount Kilimanjaro above the plains

Radjar was waiting for us as we walked back to the cabin/ rondavel and collected the bags and us and off we drove to the Machame Gate. On the way we were very lucky with some wonderful views if the mountain in the early morning sun. A crested eagle was seen sitting on a tree quite near the road.

On arrival we met Honest again - always on his mobile, but he introduced us to Hashim who will be our guide up the mountain. I am glad to see he isn't a hugely tall man, so I will be able to keep up with him. Lots of paperwork and we have to sign in with passport nos. etc. Hashim has our permits and we meet, briefly, his assistant Lucas; the cook, Joseph; our waiter, Manas; and the six porters who will carry the big bags. Their limit is 20Kg which is controlled before they are allowed through the gate. Honest helps us hire a second giraffe leg for me - I only brought one with me. 

Then at last we were off. Hashim told us to go slowly at our own pace. Alan shot off ahead and was always a couple of hundred yards in front. I found it tough going, even at what I thought was a slow pace. There are some wonderful flowers to see as we pass through the mountaigne forest. We even spotted a turaco flying over - black with spectacular red on it. We stopped for lunch, which we had been given in a small cardboard box - an eggburger - cold, of course!














Then Hashim told me to follow him and he set a really slow pace with which I was much more comfortable. We reached our campsite in 5 hrs, which Hashim was quite pleased about. We set about getting up the thermorests and sleeping bags, then washed in warm water and were served tea, biscuits, popcorn and salted peanuts as a snack to keep us going to dinner time. We also visited the latrine, which is entertaining as the door doesn't fit the door frame properly, but at least anyone approaching can see a bit of leg and knows it is occupied! For dinner Joseph rustle up some excellent soup, fish with mixed veg and potatoes and even a dessert - what a surprise, a few slices of fresh avocado. Plenty of hot tea helped it all down.

Dining and sleeping quarters