Can You See Kilimanjaro?

NOTE:  I have started the Photo Albums in the left panel.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Well not yet, because we are sitting in the Amsterdam airport.  It is about 8am here.  We left Boston at 6:30pm.  Got a good night's sleep last night and took care of all the last minute minutia before leaving for Cambridge.  Deidre and the kids dropped us off at Logan.  So far everything has been pretty smooth.  Had great seats on the first flight and made friends with Sheila, our flight attendant.  She gave us some Delta swag which they don't hand out anymore to the general population.  Some of it might come in handy during the trip.  This KLM flight leaves Amsterdam at 10:15am and arrives at around 8:30pm Tanzania time.  We will be thoroughly exhausted by then.

Till later....

The KLM flight to Kiliminjaro was packed solid.  Our two cozy seats in the back were just fine.  They must have fed us five times.  We watched the full moon rise just as we were coming into Kiliminjaro - absolutely beautiful.  Since we were sitting in the very back of the plane, we thought it would be midnight by the time we got off.  But to our great surprise, they opened the back door and we were the first ones off the plane and in line for our visas.  I waited for the the luggage while Geoff went to exchange some money.  He also ran into Kiki, who was there to pick us up.  He will also be our guide for the next 10 days or so.  We got out of the airport and on the road in record time.  The weather is breezy and warm.

Settled into the Mount Meru Game Lodge. Showered and ventured out to see who and what was around.  Not many people here.  Met a few folks at the bar - also on private safaris. A couple from Ontario, two men on photo safaris - one from Israel (will have to talk to him some more) and the other from San Diego.  Had a drink with them and then turned. in.  Looking forward to a good night's sleep with some very strange sounds out there.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Slept until 9:00 and finally crawled out of bed to get some breakfast.  This place is beautiful.  Had a terrific view of zebras, ostrich, peacocks, and more.  They also have an animal orphanage to help out the stranded and wounded animals.  Danny showed us our first glimpse at the majestic Mt. Kiliminjaro.  Everyone has been very nice and helpful.  Met Mark and Mia the owners, lovely people.  We are taking our time this morning -- getting our barrings and trying to get over our jet lag.  This afternoon a walk through the forest.

Our View at Breakfast

Next time.... The forest tour

Bummer

Not much else to say about last night's game.  Nobody ever really expected the Pats to get as far as they did this year, so give them credit for that.  We here at Reservation Rd. did, however, have a good time up until the last quarter or so.  We started our pre-game entertainment with a viewing of the Green Hornet which was pure fantasy, action, and fun to watch.  There was lots of food and potables with phoning across the country to check in with Pat fans around the nation.

It may be sad, but in the big scheme of things it is, after-all, only a game and this too shall pass.  Hate to say this, but "There's always next year".  Seems to be a New England motto.

Meanwhile, the anticipation grows for our Countdown to Africa.  I have added some more links in the Travel Links section on the left hand panel about our travel contacts and information and some of the places we will be staying.

Next time ... Can you see Kilimanjaro?

For the Ladies

Since I received a comment asking for a bit more details on the packing situation, I thought I would put it in the blog instead of responding in the comment section in case anyone else is interested.  The question was how many swimsuits and what to take in the event of cold weather.  Guys never have these kinds of issues.  Geoff throws in 2 pairs of swim trunks (I have to talk him into taking a spare!) a couple of shirts of various weights and lengths and he's done!!!  I, of course, agonize over which suit - color, style, fabric.  How many layers do I need to prepare for cold? and so on.

So for all you interested ladies, this is what I have packed.  Three swimsuits:  2 tankinis - one heavier weight and one very, very light for the very hot days, and one bikini (no laughing) - I might be 60 put I am not dead - besides nobody our age can see anymore.

If you have looked at the temperature app on the left panel, you will notice that it shouldn't be cold too often.  However, the Serengeti and Crater temps may vary, especially at night.  I am leaving the fleece behind (which is what I usually take on the plane).  Instead, I have replaced it with a lightweight water resistant jacket from EMS (I have had this for years) - I think this will be more practical than a bulky fleece.  A lightweight sweater which I also wear on the plane over a collared lightweight short sleeved t-shirt - so I can shed layers as we travel.  I wear all this with a pair of non-wrinkle EMS travel pants that roll up into capris.  In the duffel, I have a long sleeve biking pullover and turtle neck, if the temps really dip.  I also pack a bug-free button down long sleeve to wear over a t-shirt or by itself.  In the event that we should go somewhere special (it will be Valentine's Day after all), I have a nicer long sleeve non-wrinkle jacket and a short sleeve cover.  I have also packed 2 sundresses (that literally roll up in a ball with no wrinkles).  The go-everywhere Marmot rain jacket (no rain pants this time) is always tossed in - in the hopes that it won't be needed - HA! The rest is shorts, tiny t's, and my traveling underwear from ExOfficio - which I absolutely love!! Washes and dries in no time flat.

To finish it all off there is, sunscreen, bug repellent, drugs for malaria, vitamins (individually wrapped in tiny zip lock bags for daily disbursal), first aid kt, and my trusty sun visor and I am all set.

So that's it - lots of choices for lots of options.  Which doesn't count out that somewhere, sometime, I will not have the one thing I will absolutely need.  It is inevitable.

Hope this helps anyone else who has had the packing dilemma.  No matter how many times I do it, I feel like I am just doomed to agonize over it all.  However, somehow I manage to make it out the door and onto the plane.  After that - que sera sera - whatever will be will be.

Once again ... GO PATS!!

Next time... Superbowl Champs??

You're Sure We Have Everything?!

Used to be you just worried about how many t-shirts and how much underwear to pack.  Not so today.  Technology has taken over our luggage. Seems like every trip we take, we have a new set of gizmos complete with adapters, cables, and what-not.  I am a great one for making packing lists.  However, with each adventure, the lists keep changing.  And all the technological gadgets-things we just have to have - keep growing. Started packing last week.  But in reality, we have been gathering stuff for the past 6 months or so.

For this trip we have left behind the biking extras and have brought along our adventure equipment.  Two pairs of binoculars - the new ones are a bit better for distance; two cameras - (learning from what happened in the Galapagos) - one is all rugged, underwater, and the other is a new compact superzoom model (no need to get too close to the lions);  the netbook, of course; we each have our own little Kindles now, so no more schlepping books around the world - I even bought a waterproof cover so I can lounge at the pool or beach without worry;  two phones - one international, one domestic; our trusty travel alarm/flashlight; and I am sure there must be something I am leaving out.  All this not to mention the paraphernalia that goes with it all. Traveling Tip: We have discovered that using an old toiletry kit to pack up all the cables, adapters, batteries, etc. is a great way for keeping all this junk separate and organized in the different compartments and straps.  And I am all about organized!!  Since we will be at the beach, the snorkels and masks get thrown in along with Geoff 's trusty 9-piece pack rod - he has high hopes of snagging some exotic fish in the Indian Ocean.

Many folks have asked us "What clothes do you pack for a trip to Africa?" Well, we don't have pith helmets and safari jackets.  Of course, there are the same old t-shirts. If you look closely at the photos, we are pretty much wearing the same stuff we did 20 years ago - the only thing different is the scenery and of course, the hair. However, we now have some clothing that is more travel friendly.  Pants that zip down into shorts, non-iron wash and wear stuff and something for cool evenings.  For all those ladies that want to know about shoes - a pair of Merrill sneakers, Merrill strap sandals, Keen water/hike rugged sandals, and the all important, flip-flops.

We manage to get everything into one rolling duffel and a small rolling suitcase and two backpacks.  All this being said, I am still convinced that we have far too much - we always do. So now that we are all packed, we wait....

One more thing .. GO PATS!!!!

Next time... Superbowl Champs??