DAY 21: Springlands Hotel to Ngorogoro Resort Camp site

 

Departure time

I’ve decided the view of the sunrise at Stella Point isn’t as near to heaven as I thought at the time, no, opening your eyes to discover white sheets and a duvet, that’s heaven.  We showered just because we could and made our way to the restaurant for a cucumber-soup-absent meal.  Our climbing gear that we were once so impressed with was chucked into crates to be opened only once we were safely home with a washing machine, and packed onto the roof to be avoided at all cost.  Unfortunately, whist packing the bakkie, we missed our friends’ departure to the airport, although we followed their tracks on the dusty road as we pulled away from the orange hotel before 10:00.

 

Arrival time

Nico is beside himself with excitement that the internet is finally working.  He spent most of the morning connecting, so naturally Jimbo and the Land Rover had to wait once again for Soek-soek as our bakkie was packed – some things never change.  Along the road we stopped at a Cultural Village in Arusha, although in desperate haste to shop, Nico locked me in the car while I turned off the internet.  I hooted to my heart’s content before Nico realised halfway to the building that it was in fact his car making violent sounds and then only later realised it was me pressing the hooter when Izel grasped that I was absent.   Eventually the bakkie was unlocked and I was free to explore the open air beyond the bakkie. 

In the cultural centre we browsed the Tanzanian curios and artefacts, congratulated by shop stewards who undoubtedly noticed the obvious red noses and chapped swollen lips from sunburn that we were all eagerly medicating with Zam-buk.  Our intense shopping efforts due to a week’s long absence from the real world had left us quite parched, so to quench our thirst we drank vibrant fruit juices in all shades and surprisingly tasty avo milkshakes.  After lunch we continued along the road to Ngorogoro Resort Campsite, though after arriving at the place, thought it couldn’t possibly be the one we were anticipating.  We drove back looking for the resort, only to be redirected to the same campsite where Nico was greeted by a patient smile as he frankly told the owner to upgrade his facilities.

 

Weather conditions

Now accustomed to the icy winds and cold temperatures, the warm sun was pleasant and we didn’t complain when Elmien turned the aircon off.

 

Campsite conditions

Perhaps the name Ngorogoro Resort Campsite led us to raise our expectations.  At first glance, the area looked run down and in need of repairs, however, after fully inspecting the facilities, we discovered that the bathrooms had hot water and the bar that only had half a bottle of gin also sold coke and beer.  I wish the British colonised Tanzania before the Arabs, introducing catholic toilets rather than the muslim holes in the ground – they’re most impractical.