An Amazing 4 days!
Trip Start
Sep 12, 2008
1
3
6
Trip End
Sep 29, 2008
Arusha, Tanzania
Friday, September 19, 2008
As i had said before we had planned on climbing Mer so we could acclimatise for Kilimanjaro as well as see a few animals. Well we ended up having a brilliant time in a national park that is full of wildlife.
The four days started with a drive from Moshe town to Arusha national park. Once we arrived at the national parks first gate we got out payed and headed down to the second gate and the area where we would meet our three, yes three porters, waiter, chef and ranger. So the first gate closed and we didnt even have it out of the rear view mirror before i spotted a Giraffe in the distance. we were thinking this was just luck. It wasn't however as a couple more corners later we came across a small plain (later i found out it was called little Serengeti) which had 50 odd buffalo and zebra sunning themselves!!!! We also saw another giraffe too. We were even aloud to get out and take a few pictures!! the drive then went on for another 10 odd minutes before i spotted something white in the trees. We stopped and saw a whole troop of about 10 Columbus monkeys!! We were 15 minutes into the first day and i had seen more than i thought i would for the whole time we were in Africa.
After arriving we paid our fees and then met who we had too, our ranger (the bloke with the gun) was also to be our guide and what a quality chap he turned out to be. We had a great time with him over the 4 days.
We left and headed out for the day. we must again of been walking 10minutes before we saw a dick dick (small deer thing), Buffalo's, wild pigs and 10 giraffes. Our ranger said we could go close "don't worry, i have a gun" i believe were his words. We ended up getting about 5 mete res from them and getting some great pictures.
the rest of the day was spent on a really nice walk through the jungle, we saw more deer things as-well as monkeys, birds and plants. By the time we reached the huts where we were to sleep we were both buzzing. the food we ate that night was great and the staff we hired really looked after us the whole 4 days.
Day two and three were kind of one really as we were to head for the summit of Mt Meru at 1am on the second night. So we got up had a good breakfast before heading up to the saddle huts where we were to spend a few ours before we struck for the summit. again we saw wildlife, not as much as the day before but we did see monkeys, a chameleon and loads of birds and flowers. The only thing that spoilt the trip a little was the bloody yanks we had to spend the time with. They were bloody idiots. The one thing that made it bearable was that i took the piss out of them pretty much the whole time and they never even knew about it. The best bit about it was when over dinner they were telling us how they so got the British sense of humor and our sarcasm. The whole conversation i was being as sarcastic as i could!!!!
so we reached the saddle hut at 3,500m. we ate lunch. And then climbed up a sub peak of Meru called little;e Mer. It only took and hour or so but was good for acclimatisation as it was 3,800m. Back down we slept for an hour, had dinner and then got a few hours sleep before the Alan signaled it was 12.30 am and time to get ready for the off. I felt really tired and had a little headache. Sort of like a mild hangover. Anyway we got dressed had a cup of coffee and all met out side ready for the push. It was cold but not too bad, maybe 2-3 degrees. We were both quite exited although we didn't say much.
Right 5 Min's computer time. The rest will have to wait until tomorrow i think.
Now off to the roof top bar for a well earned beer.
Hope everyone is well.
Jason
Comments
excited
what a fantastic adventure ,more that any one could dream of,i so look forward to seeing the photos that you were able to take ,Please when you return and you see David let me know so that i can be there as well .i could sit for hours to just listen to your experiences love jean x