OUR JEEP AWAITS US!!
We travelled for a couple of hours to a small village to meet up with the Tusker crew. As we waited along side the road, we were immediately surrounded by several small children - they were absolutely adorable...very much wanting candy... and eager to try on our readers/sunglasses - they were having a blast when I noticed a boy (I guess him to be about 10 years old) trying to stuff Nive's $100.00 MEC sunglasses into his pocket - "no, no, I scolded". He gave me a cheeky little smile and put them back on the table.
KIDS IN THE VILLAGE
NIVES' READERS!!
It was about a five hour drive, 3 of which was on a very rugged road deep into the rain forest. We arrived at the Londorossi Gate and registered, along with many many other trekkers from a variety of tour companies. We waited in turn while our bags were weighed to ensure that they were in compliance for the porters (they are allowed to carry a maximum of 30 lbs.) .
There is a huge sign at the gate outlining "Points to Remember".......OMG - we ain't in Kansas ......this is real!
We continued on a dirt road for another hour to the trail head and so began our 3 hour trek to our first camp in the rain forest.
We fell into a certain order as we hiked and we pretty much maintained it throughout our time on the mountain. Leading was our main guide, Francis, then Nives, me, Vince, Fridtjof, Liberaty the assistant guide, and Method the rescue man ...who was always trailing right behind us! We walked in a line following the guides footsteps as the path is too narrow or undefined to double up.... reminds me of horses walking nose to tail....plodding along one step and a time.
The foliage today was fantastic and we were fortunate to see two varieties of monkeys. As I went to take a picture, I became painfully aware that my camera was missing it's battery - I left it back at the hotel in the charger - I was majorly pissed.......Fridtjof & Vince generously offered to come to my rescue - so, it is with huge gratitude to them that I post the pictures that are on this blog.
Today was more challenging than I expected given that we were in the rain forest - it was rocky and steep. I was very grateful for the stair climbing that I incorporated into my training program back home. Just when I thought I couldn't take another step, we spotted the welcoming wonderful yellow tents of our camp.... all set up with hot tea and snacks awaiting our arrival.
I spent some time nesting - arranging my sleeping bag, cleaning out my day pack, taking a bird bath and setting out clean clothes for tomorrow. It was pouring rain but very cozy inside the tent. Once settled in, I joined everyone in the mess tent to eat - we celebrated "day one", apprehensively thinking about what's to come......exhausted, I turned in early.
About the crew.....it takes a surprisingly large number of people to support our little group of four up the mountain......can you believe 24 in total!! There is Francis, the lead guide, Liberaty the assistant guide, Eric the Chef, Benson the waiter, Luther is in charge of the portable toilet, Method is our rescue man (in the event of an emergency, he carries the stretcher and oxygen chamber) and 18 porters to carry everything else - from tents to toilet paper. At first I felt a bit guilty that so many staff were needed but as we began the journey, I realized what a feat this Kili trek is and I was immensely grateful for the resources that we had available.
OUR TUSKER CREW.................yes, that's our baggage above the driver's seat!!
OUR GUIDES - FRANCIS & LIBERATY
OUR RESCUE MAN - METHOD - ALWAYS SMILING!
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