Travel Days

 I didn't get a chance to blog yesterday. sometimes our travel days start early in the morning and can take hours to get to the next destination. 

I want to go back to Kilimajaro to describe one last part of the mouantin This happened on day two or perhaps three. There is something called the Barranco Wall. I had zero clue what it was and well, sometimes not knowing is a good thing. 

One of the ladies had heard about it and was a bit afraid of it as she isn't the best with heights. You know how they say, what goes up has to come down? Well, we had two instances where we needed to get somewhere and in order to get up, we had to go down some major descents. 

On one of the ups, they called it a scramble wall and it must have been on the morning of day three. It took us about 30 minutes to walk to the wall and then we saw the wall. It was not really a path but literally a scramble up the side of the mountain. Ok -- it was doabe for all of us and it wasn't super scary -- do NOT look down. But we did not use our hiking poles for this. Hands and feet was all that was required. Some of the steps were a bit on the large size, but all as good. 

For myself, there was only one particular moment when I had both hands about face level and my feet are supporting me and the guides are above me and say - give me your hand. You mean, I have to let go of the moutain to do that? I didn't want to, but they don't really give you an option. There was no other choice and you can tell that these guides have been doing this for a long, long time. 

They are good, they are strong, and I never felt we were in any danger. But that scramble lasted for about 90 minutes. This was one of the big ups we had to do after we had done a big down the day before. That was the down where I fell. The terrain was a bit gravelly and I was talking to someone and not fully paying attention. 

I got a big goose egg on my brow for that one and a massive bruise on my hip. But all is good, the black eye is almost gone or perhaps it's gone. The hip is still bruised. 

Healthwise, I'm making progress. I have one last antibiotic for this monring and lets hope that it was enough to kill anything bad in my body. I have the odd insect bite that is itchy, bu for the most part they are good And they look less angry. Still have congestion, but not nearly as bad. The roof of my mouoth is still sore from sucking back those candies, but the area is getting smaller each day.. The three sores on my lip? Almost gone! I tell you --- I was a wreck!!!

The toes will take at least a month to heal and are doing OK on their own. 

We had been stayig wih a cousin of DH's when in Dar Es Salaam. It was interesteing to stay at a house rather than a hotel. they have a driver and a maid which are quite common in this area. Two of their children and their families live in the same building, so we got to spend some time with them as well. Total chaos and I was glad when everyone left. 

I must say that everyone loves their phones here. Texting and driving? It's a requirements - even if you're on a motocycle. Let's say that the law makers of North America would be in constant apopolytic shock the entire time!!! There are NO RULES for the road. None!!!!

Yet ---we have't seen any road accidents, other than a dump truck that slipped off the edge of the road a couple of weeks ago, but that looked like the drivers' fault alone. There are few lights and no one respects them, but yet, they can get MANY cars/trucks and tuk tuks, mototcycles, people, and bikes through a round about without any assistance from anyone. No one honks and it's all quite civilized!!!!

Anyway, we had another flight yeserday and allowed ourselves plenty of time to get to the airport, which was a very good thing. We took an Uber from downtown to the airport which took about 40 minutes. I had to laugh because if you look closely at the photos above, you'll see a very unusual item being delivered by tuk tuk. Yes -- that is a washer!!!

Amazon boxes piled on the back of a motorcycle and everything and anything you can imagine. We did NOT dare take motorcycles with our luggage (or ever!) and we had a car. We arrived at the airport in Dar Es Salaam We had to go through X-ray before entering the airport and for some reason, my fitness tracker is setting off the alarms. No big deal. 

Then we got to the ticket agent to check in, only to discover that my ticket was NOT in my name. I was Mrs. DH which of course, does not match my passport. So that took some time to fix. OK --- It took a lot of time to fix. We couldnt get in touch with our travael agent to change it, so of course, if we threw money at it, we could get it fixed. That cost us $30 - probably USD. I'm not sure. But DH knew that, so why he didn't change it, I don't know.

We checked our bags because we could and these airports are easy to get around. 

Once that was organized, it was time to go through passport control. I swear we got into the challenging line and it was taking forever. We should have moved lines, but the minuete we discussed it, many other people did. It took over thirty minutes to get through a line that was technically short in number of people. I'm all about just take it easy ---- DH is not so patient. 

Then through another X-ray machine and finally we could head for the gate. So even though we arrived very early for the flight, the time was eaten up as we waited for various issues to be resolved. We even had time for a pastry and tea beore heading to the gate. YES --- that's how early we were. But we dare not slack off since issues happen. Thakfully, we did not have to squeeze our way to the front of any line as I don't think that would have happened yesterday. 

And after all that, the plane was late. I think we took off about 40 minutes late, but that's OK. 

Once we arrived in Mombasa, we were escorted inside the terminal (international flght) we had to go through passport control again. We are now back in Kenya. Of course, there was no one there when we arrived. Of course there wasnt. I just tell DH to be patient. He will drive me mad if I let him. 

I wondere why they always ask for his fingerprints and not mine? He looks more at home in these countries than I do. But I look so sweet and innocent, they don't ask me. Anyway we got our luggage and I have no idea why he was in such a hurry --- he didn't even stop for the washroom. 

And hurray --- our car was waiting for us, which I think is the first time the entire trip. The hotel was about one hour from the airport, so we had a good look around as we drove. It doesnt seem as chaotic here as it has been in other cities. 

At long last we arrived at the beach hotel, but we had to wait for one hour for our room.  So we went and had lunch. Then ino our hotel room (3pm) where we were able to have a nap. I sat ouside on the deck and read a new book that I downloaded. You sure have to love the internet and reading ebooks and not relying on a physical book. I love it!!!!

while I love Libby to get my ebooks, do not forget Hoopla if you have access to it. I could not find this book on Libby, but I found it on Hoopla. A friend back home was waiting for the same book on Libby (why coulnd't I find it) so she also downloaded a copy from Hoopla. I don't understand how that works but that's OK. 

We had a fabulous buffet dinner and I was bemused by this huge pot that held a custard cream. But how the heck do you hold the lid and then get the sauce. After careful observation, I got it figured i out, so I had to go back to get one small plate, just to try it! It was delicious. 

There will be no fear of not finding anything to eat here. I have probably packed on a few pounds while away. And the walking? What are steps? I haven't paid attention one iota the entire time. I may have to do a major reset on my goals when I get home. I've lost too much ground to make it up. 

We have a couple of pretty chill days here before we move to the next destination. A few days left before we get ourselves back in mode to come home. I've acatually done pretty well because after about two weeks, I'm dying to get home and so far I'm doing OK. Maybe because DH is with me and I missed him when we didnt travel together.  LOL

But I am starting to think about stuff that has to be done the minute I get home, but I'll try to keep that in the far distant reaches of my mind for a few more days at least. 

Well, that's it's for today. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!