Global Cafe Travel - Tips and tricks for exploring the world!: 2025

10 July 2023: The return trip and some final thoughts...

This was departure day. We had a leisurely breakfast, then got all packed up before spending the afternoon at the pool. The water was REALLY cold, so we never really got in. At 5:30, we left for the airport and the long journey home. At check-in, they gave me a hand-written lounge pass. I realized right at check in that my stomach wasn't right, so I took 2 imodium. In the lounge, JT realized his wasn't right either, so he took some as well. We got on our flight, watched Hotel Transylvania, and got a little sleep. In the lounge in Amsterdam, we got some breakfast, then boarded for the USA. We got a couple of movies in and some rest. We managed a shower in the Detroit Lounge, plus lunch, then finally boarded for Orlando.

I realize that's not the most exciting story, but I wrote it in my journal, so there you go. I think it's important to note the stomach issues, because we were SO glad that didn't happen on the mountain. I'm still not sure what actually caused it, but it could have been anything from the springs swim the day before to a bad batch of water to something we both ate. Thankfully, it cleared up by the time we got home (and so glad I took the Imodium with me).

So, all in all, this was 2 years in the making. We began our planning of the trip well before we finally went... spent months accumulating and testing gear, training to be in the best physical shape possible, then, as quick as it came, it was over. It's really hard to sum up the emotions when we got back, but they do say post-summit depression is a thing. I wouldn't say we were depressed, but wow, when you spend so much time and effort working towards a goal, once you complete it, it's hard to go back to normal life. It definitely made me lazy at the gym in the following weeks! I'm very thankful I got to have this experience, and that I got to go with my cousin as well. Travel changes you, as do hard experiences and overcoming challenges - and this trip had some of all of that. Perhaps I'll get more into posting on here now that I'm on a roll, but we'll see - I think there's only 3 total readers, so... but hey, it's now here so that one day, anyone can read it and maybe learn something, or at least be entertained. Until next time, asante sana, thanks for reading!

One more summit photo!

Europe Comfort Plus upgrade on the flight to AMS

The only time we really saw the mountain! (I do have to go back to Kenya so we can get the famous view, but that's clearly another trip)

9 July 2023: Chemka Springs and Moshi

Today, we booked a day trip to the Chemka "hot" springs. Altezza put our departure at 7 a.m., but we pushed it back to 8 so we could have breakfast. It was nice to have normal eggs and pancakes again. When our driver showed up, even he said it was too early to go to the springs, so he took us on a "tour" of Moshi. This was basically driving in, a couple of building names, and a gift shop. It's ok though, we otherwise wouldn't have been able to get some stuff. Then we went to the springs. On the way, we saw Kili truly for the first time. It's truly incredible what we did. At the springs, they set up two folding chairs and a table, and a guy brought over two REAL inner tubes with a dozen patches on them. Some of the locals were using the rope to show off some really impressive tricks. So the water is not hot. Not even warm... about 82 degrees F, per my watch. It was a refreshing temp, but hardly soothing tired muscles. We started to have some flies biting us, as well as some spiders running across the surface, so we didn't stay and soak all that long. I should also mention the restrooms were squatty's, but with a bucket flush. Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel and had dinner there.

All in all, this was actually a cool day, and nice to chill a little bit before the overseas flights all started back. The springs were more of a local water hole, but with a few European teenager groups there as well. It was cool, glad we did it.

I picked up this painting in the gift shop. The painter was kind enough to pose for a photo with us.

Who would know Moshi has a mosque?

Check out the brick-making.

I thought it was hilarious how the drivers interact with the boys herding the animals... they're everywhere, and it's no big deal.

Overview of the springs.

First view of Kili from the ground.

We just kinda floated around on our tubes.

We have a 235/40 R16 for rent here.

The food "court"

Yeah, we didn't use these.

The hotel in Moshi

This was some kind of cold salad. I honestly can't remember.

Hotel Gym.

Very cold hotel pool.

8 July 2023: Kilimanjaro Day 7

In the spirit of the previous posts, I'm going to quote from the journal first, which was still written after we had returned home...

Today was the final day of hiking. We started a half hour early so we could thank the crew. They sang for us one last time, then we began our last hike down the mountain. The speed was actually really fast. I think our crew was looking forward to the freedom. We did 8.5 miles of hiking in just over 5 hours. The second half was VERY muddy (was just now washing my shoes). We all almost fell at least a few times. The shoes I got for this trip did very well- my feet did stay dry (my first pair of Saloman boots).

When we reached the gate, we did our last photo with all of the group that hiked out together, then there were some guys who would wash our boots for $2 a pair, but no one had any money. Then we got our official Kilimanjaro beer, then had some champagne and a banana-beef stew (you read that right) for lunch. Once everyone arrived, we had our certificate presentations, then started the hour drive back to the hotel. Check in was a little awkward - after climbing Kili, we couldn't just go to our room... we had to verify all of our stuff from the safe, put our tips into the crew envelops, give to the lead guide, then finally could get our key. As a tourism professional, I can appreciate the need to take care of the crew, but I suppose they wanted to be sure everything was checked off before releasing us. Our tips had been set aside in an envelope for over a month, so that wasn't an issue for us. (They totally earned it). We had just enough time to shower before dinner. Our dinner was very exciting after all of the mountain food - one of our folks had worked it out with the local Indian-Italian (yes, you read that right) to deliver 10 margherita pizzas. Comfort food at its finest. It was a nice last meal together. Best part was the local Tanzanian guitar player singing "Hotel California."

When we got to the room, we had to lay EVERYTHING out so it would dry. It was amazing how drenched all of our gear was. And wow, what a journey. Don't tune out just because the climb is over, I'm on a roll, so I'm going to go ahead and type up the journal entries from the final days of the trip.

Here is the entire journey on my Garmin, start to finish. If you look at the distance at the top left, you can appreciate just how big this mountain is. What an amazing experience!