DAY TEN - BRISTOL COTTAGES, MOSHI (3000 FT)

Had a very restless night - I was too excited to sleep knowing that I would be returning to Moshi today and joining up with Randy.  He's been vacationing in Zanzibar and I know that we will both have many many stories to share.  I so wish that he was on this trek - I know that he would have loved the people, the environment and the overall challenge of reaching the summit.


There was a lot of activity and noise around camp this morning.  As I was getting ready in my tent, I could hear Francis' yelling out orders and instructions in Swahili.  He has a real command and  knows how to get things done.  The crew no doubt are anxious to get home to their families - you can sense a renewed energy in the air.


Before leaving camp, some of the Tusker Crew gathered together and began to sing the infamous Kilimanjaro song, led by Benson.  There was lots of laughing and dancing and great camaraderie.



                                                   A SING SONG LED BY BENSON

                                         NIVES, LIBBY AND ERIC (THE CHEF) JOIN IN!

                                             BENSON'S CONTAGIOUS ENTHUSIASM!!

We are definitely on the home stretch..............We are back in the rain forest and the descent today was very gradual and easy considering the past nine days but my right knee felt every downward step. There was lots of foliage and we spotted some monkeys along the way.

                                                       EASY AND GRADUAL TERRAIN

                                                               THE FINAL LAG

About an hour before reaching the park gate, a van showed up and we all eagerly piled in for our ride back to the hotel.


After arriving at Bristol Cottages, we had one hour to gather our tusker rental gear, shower, change and meet Francis and Libby to receive our certificates and provide feedback about the trek.  I decided to donate some clothing, my camelbak water system and few first aid type items. 
 We gathered in the lobby area of the hotel and proudly received our certificates from Francis - a testament to a job well done!

We had a brief discussion about our general experience and said our goodbyes.  Although I know that the crew do many treks with so many people, it was a sad parting for me.  They had such a huge impact on my overall African experience.  After spending 10 days together sharing and working toward one goal, I couldn't help but feel a closeness to my new and old friends, as well as to the crew. 




AN AWESOME TEAM.....LIBBY, FRIDTCHOF, FRANCIS, NIVES, ME & METHOD (unfortunately we are missing Vince, as he was taking the picture)

Randy arrived around 4:00 and it was so good to see him healthy and happy.  He was really excited about his own adventures and shared many stories with us over dinner and wine - a real celebration!  Our stories were coming out in dribs and drabs because I think that we were all still in shock......and over the next few days they slowly emerged. 


Before we left the hotel to go on our safari, I climbed to the 3rd floor and got another shot of Kili - once again so very far away.....was I really on the top of that mountain a few days ago?

You bet I was.......................and the butts are definitely smaller!!

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