It was our usual Qatar Airways flight on Sin - Doh - Jro route. The lounge in Qatar International airport was quite full. I managed to take a shower. There was no IFE on Doha - Kili route. It was a full flight and I couldn't open the window shade due to glaring sun. Missed the Kili mountain view cos i sat on the right side.
Views from the plane
Trekking guide Ramada came and picked us. Met YH the famous nature photographer from Malaysia who also took the same flight as us. He was going to Serengeti for safari photography tour.
The Hibiscus b&b that Materuni Tours (trekking agency) recommended turned out to be better than we thought. I like the trees-lined road just outside our bnb, very scenic. The motel has hot water shower.
Ambrose, the boss of Materuni Tours met us at the motel. Ramada explained the various trekking routes to us and shared with us what we expect to see along the way.
After the briefing we went to rental equipment shop. It was a huge store with lotsa equipment. I got my sleeping bag fleece liner and day pack from them. We went to change money. The largest denomination 50000 shillings which is like usd25. (1 usd = 2000 shillings roughly). Then we went to the largest supermarket in Moshi to buy some stuff. After that we went to have dinner at the restaurant Indian-Italian. Nice food. Took a taxi back to hibiscus, 6000 shillings. 4 of us squeezed at the back like sardine. After final packing and shower, plunged straight into the bed. Forgot to lower down the mosquito net.
Breakfast at Hibiscus
Next day breakfast was good. No more electricity so cannot take hot shower.
Group pic before leaving Hibiscus
We departed Hibiscus at around 845am, then reached the Merangu Route national park office at around 10am. The permit application process was long, blame it on Sunday (we found out the true reason later). We finally set off into the rain forest around 1220pm.
We saw blue monkeys along the way. Also saw Elephant trunk plant. Had our late lunch 2ish. Mongoose was scouring for food near the lunch picnic area.
Elephant trunk plant
After lunch, we continue to Mandara Hut. Reached Mandara at 430pm.
Maundi Crater acclimitisation trek. It was only a 30-minute trek from Mandara.
One hut can take 4 people so we have 2-3, divided into 2 huts. Tea was good, got ginger biscuits. Dinner follow straight after but we could not finish the food. We chatted with the grandma, the mum and her 2 younger daughters from China, who were also proceeding the same way. Sleep like a log at 8pm.
The next day was drizzly. We put on rain gear and trudged on at 845am. Saw mouse scouring at the track. Once we left the rain forest there was no more drizzle and we could keep our rain gear in the bag. Sun came out and presented another problem - dehydration. We were trekking in the moor land now, no more shade. Lunch was at 1215pm. 1245pm we set off again, reaching Horombo Hut at 3pm.
Raven - Ramada told us that ravens are their friends.
The hut we got in Horombo was bigger, can accommodate up to a maximum of 12 people, we can all sleep together in one hut this time. Thank to Ramada for arranging with the national park office and got us a good hut.
Cold wind seeped into the hut through the door crack and made me shiver. Headache.
Sunset was awesome. During dinner time we met with lady from England that teach in a school in Singapore. She has already summited this morning.
Lights in the hut was not working so we were arranging things in the dark. Took panadol before I went to sleep. Felt cold even though I got sleeping bag and fleece liner. Had strange dreams.
Sunrise the next day was again awesome. The teams who has summited did a dance and sing. The PRC grandma and the mother decided to stay back but the two younger daughters proceeded to summit.
Dining hall
The crew bidded the group trekking down farewell
Group trekking down
Kili as seen from Horombo
We did our acclimatisation trek to Zebra Rock today. It was a leisurely trek.
Videos taken at Horombo:
Singing outside the dining hall of Horombo
Morning at Horombo
Ramada wanted to help us transfer to another room which has lights working but we declined cos the new hut was smaller. Teammate R fiddled with the bulb in the original hut and got it working after he changed the bulbs in the hut. Kudo to his handy knowledge in electrical circuit.
Chatted with the Taiwainese group next to our table during tea. Sunset was not as spectacular as yesterday but the night starry sky was nice. We could see Moshi town from where we stood 3000m below us, as there was no cloud to block out view.
Every morning we will be given some warm water for washing.
Staff weighing the load of each porter.
The next morning we set off to Kibo. Chilly even sun was glaring due to wind chill. We had lunch in the rock stone pile to avoid the wind.
Birds seen near the last water point.
Last water point before proceeding towards Kibo. All water needed for cooking and washing must be carried from here to Kibo.
Reached Kibo at 140pm. We were lucky to be in one hut again.
Sunset at Kibo
High mountain sickness started to affect us. Couldn't sleep well due to high altitude. Set off at 130am to the summit. The route from Kibo to Gillman's Point was a killer, so many switchbacks. The volcanic sand under our legs couldn't provide much traction and grip. It was worse when we were held up by other trekkers ahead of us; imagine stopping on quick sand...you tend to slide back. The last 100m to Gillman's Point was the killer of the killer. I took sometime to take my chocolate to replenish my energy before making it to Gillman's Point at 630am. First signboard of the 3 that one can claim a certificate. After that the 4 of us make our ways to Stellar Point (2nd sign board) and reached there at 720am.
Sk was the only one that made it all the way to Uhuru Peak (true summit) even though he vomited on the way up. Shame on us.
Going down was a skiing affair. Asst guide Im held my hand and we "skied" down.
We left Kibo for Horombo and reached the camp site at 415pm. Got back the same hut. Finally got water and can wash up. R told us that there was one trekker being carried down by using stretcher on wheels. The park office sent a vehicle up from the park gate to Horombo Hut to pick her up. Apparently one can actually drive all the way up to Horombo, but only for attending to emergency, and for use by the rangers only.
Ramada discussed with us the tips amount and it was higher than the amount recommended in the email. We appreciated their service and paid accordingly. Sk's watch was not working fine anymore after coming down from the summit.
Presenting tips to the crew after the singing session.
The next day was the descent from Horombo to the park gate.
Saw black and white monkeys near Mandara Hut. Also saw a Turak and a camouflaged frog. Finally got our certs.
Mountain ranger
Reached Moshi town and got to see Tory, Ambrose's colleague in the office. She replied some of our emails.
Dinner with Ambrose was at a new restaurant. Serving was slow but the pizza was good.
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