DAY 13: Lake Chala Camp site to Springlands Hotel

 

Departure time

Throughout the holiday we’ve woken to fabulous sea, lake and bush views, stunning sunsets and sunrises; however the sight of the largest free standing mountain in the world and tallest peak in Africa was one of great amazement.  Finally the day had arrived for which we had driven halfway through our continent for, and eager to arrive at the hotel, we departed from Lake Chala camp site at 09:00.

 

Arrival time

Expecting to lodge at the foot of the mountain, I was slightly surprised as we drove through the town of Moshi following a motorbike on dusty roads to our hotel from where Kilimanjaro couldn’t even be seen. Here we found that Americans litter the bright orange hotel like flies around a dustbin; you can’t take a step to the right or left to avoid the loud whiney moan escaping their throats every second.  In pain we were forced to endure the annoying whinge of a hillbilly as he informed the entire reception of his life story whilst we made our way to our room to pack.  Relieved to finally have arrived, we began sorting through our clothes and packed our bags for the climb awaiting us.  Organising gear is a business not reserved for the faint hearted; after packing and repacking our bags to fit all the thick and heavy gear, we began a thorough search through every bag for Nico’s socks that had momentarily mysteriously disappeared.  Duffel bags stuffed and locked, we moved on to our day packs, and only once our snacks were ready and a hearty supply of wet wipes were easily accessible, we proceeded to the restaurant where we would meet our fellow climbers due to arrive from the airport.  No one was more excited at the prospect of familiar faces than Nico who had organised that a new modem for his roaming sim card be brought by the arriving crowd, which for the rest of us, meant an internet-happy and connected Nico.  At 15:00 we were joined by Mr. Putter, Mr Hewitt, Miss du Plessis, Grace, Desire, Mallary and her father, Andrea, who had accurately read their aeroplane tickets and arrived as planned, however, the 5 absent climbers who had missed the flight only joined us after 20:00.  Unfortunately for Emma, Jessica, Roland, Michael and Francis who were unlucky enough to have miss-read their tickets, luck plunged further when they realised their luggage failed to leave South African soil.  For the crazy eight to discover other people aren’t immune to bad luck was both hilarious and somewhat comforting considering our own slight experiences along the way.  Sadly for Izel and I, who had found the whole missing luggage episode hilarious, karma is vicious, locking us out our room with the key somehow still safely secured inside.  By nightfall, our room had been unlocked by hotel staff, Nico had successfully connected the internet and all the climbers had arrived.  We were briefed by our tour group, Zara, introduced to our chief guide Nicholaus and advised to have a good nights’ rest of which we had no objection to.     

 

Weather conditions

Sunny again. For our recently flown-in friends from South Africa who all arrived in jeans and long-sleeves, the heat and humidity was quite a shock; good thing we only packed shorts and strappy tops.

 

Hotel conditions

Our orange hotel appeared quite luxurious after two weeks of camp sites, including a bright blue, clear swimming pool, perfectly manicured mini gardens and of course, the best component, a guaranteed hot shower.

 

Personal

The prospect of climbing Kilimanjaro is somewhat surreal.  For months we’ve discussed plans, contemplated gear and snacks, and mentally prepared ourselves for the climb, however the reality of actually summiting Uhuru Peak in a week feels unrealistic.  Despite any hesitation and fitness doubts, Izel and I promised each other we wouldn’t give up, regardless of how tired, sick or gatvol we got on the mountain.