Finally ~ we made it

Monday, January 6, 2014


After our twelve hour layover in Dubai, which wasn't as bad as it sounds, we boarded our flight for Addis Abba, Ethiopia where we connected with Dana as planned. We were happy and relieved to see her arrive.







A few hours later the three of us stepped off our plane in Killimanjaro.














What a feeling that was, Africa! After hearing Dana describe this place she has grown to love we were finally here to experience it with her.

After clearing customs and obtaining our Tanzanian Visa we were met by Dennis, one of the drivers for the African Experience Safaris Company. He drove us to the Impala Arusha Hotel.






It was about a 45 minute drive with an abundance of interesting sights including, people, animals, homes, businesses and vehicles of various sorts. Driving on the opposite side of the road made it even more interesting. The highlight for Lynn was seeing a Masai herding his cattle along the road.


At the hotel we were greeted by David, Dana's friend and owner of the safari company.





On Dana's first trip to Africa in 2006 David was the cook on her safari. They developed a friendship that has continued and now includes Edith, his wife and twin boys, Doto and Kirwa.
David arranged our first eight days in Africa which included a two night stay in Arusha, a walking tour of the town and he will be our driver and guide on our six day safari beginning tomorrow, Wednesday.



Our room was nice, nothing fancy but looks very elegant in this picture. (Remember don't believe every thing you see in pictures)



The gardens and pool were very pretty and relaxing.








We ended our day with a great meal at the Indian Restaurant at the hotel.



And Dana introduced John to a local favorite, Killimonjaro beer.



It was an early night for all after our long tiring trip.



Tuesday, January 7th



Happy Birthday Lynn!

We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast on the open terrace of the hotel and then ...






met David for a walking tour of the city of Arusha.


Arusha is the third largest city in Tanzania with a population of over 600,000. It is one of Tanzania's most developed and fastest growing towns. It sprawls to the foot of Mt. Meru (the second highest mountain in Tanzania) and it's location is convenient for all of the northern safari routes so it has become the safari capital of Tanzania and a major tourism center.

Since it is not polite to photograph individuals, I was limited in my picture taking and while I understood, I was disappointed because there were soooo many interesting people and things to see that I would have photographed. I certainly managed.

The city was bustling, even at mid day with hoards of people and vehicles every where.


There were vendors, selling everything: cell phones, shoes, used shoes, clothing, maps, calendars, food, nuts, fried bananas, women balancing baskets on their heads dressed in beautifully colored clothing, and men with push carts transporting any assortment of things.


Vehicles were everywhere: cars, Dalla-dalla ( vans used as local bus system ~ crammed with people, some hanging out of the windows) motor bikes and motor cycles used as taxis ~ just an amazing bee hive of activity that is difficult to describe in words.


One of the highlights was the public market. Rochester's public market is nothing like this. There were several square blocks of people selling delicious looking produce, not so delicious looking and smelling dried fish, grains, beans, fruits and nuts.
One booth of particular interest was a very creative entrepreneur who had created a board that looked like an old switchboard but was actually 50 or more cell phone charging cords. He had figure out that all of the merchants working here would have to charge their cell phones at some point during the day and he was prepared to provide this service for a fee! Genius.


Later we walked passed the bus terminal where buses will take you to other cities.


Most interesting for us were the buses that carry luggage (and tires) strapped to the roof of the vehicle.



We walked past the football stadium (soccer) in the city and






the Uhuru Monument or freedom monument which was erected when the nation of Tanzania was formed.





We finished our tour with lunch at City Park.








There was a small playground for children and an open air restaurant where we enjoyed a cold drink and John experienced his first taste of ugali (it somewhat resembles Italian polenta). As David explained, ugali is the Tanzanian national dish. Each tribe has their own individual dishes unique to their own tribe, but ugali is universal to all tribes.
It is customary to eat this with your fingers so John complied. First he cleaned his hands at one of the designated wash stands and then dug in.






It wasn't pretty but it sure was good and he managed to finish the generous portion provided.


There are over 120 different tribal groups in Tanzania and when you meet people they will talk about what tribe they come from. Dennis explained that in some countries the tribes do not get along which causes fighting but in Tanzania there is a cohesive relationship among tribes. David is from the Pare tribe while his wife is Chagga and Dennis is from the Meru tribe.
One of the amazing things to us is that young children first learn their tribal language (sometimes two different ones) and then they learn Swahili and then English! Hello, our kids can barley handle English.
David speaks, Pare, Swahili,English, Spanish and French and Dennis speaks the Meru tribal language, Swahili, English and Spanish.


After we returned to the hotel, we relaxed by the pool enjoying the shade and the gentle breeze.




Getting ready to start the safari, we repacked and enjoyed an Italian meal at another one of the restaurants in the hotel.