Africa: conquered!

***Note to readers***
Our apologies for the lack of posted pictures and sound. Internet here is too slow/expensive to update at this time. Should we miraculously encounter fast internet while on this continent, sights and sounds will be available. Otherwise, please maintain patience until we safely return to the states.
***Thank You!***

Day 10:

Left Arusha and the SG hotel (along with its French moulding and gawking wait staff) behind to head for Ngorongoro. Slight mix up with Safari company leads to us having to book our own room later on--- the driver was confused and took us to the wrong hotel.

Travel to Ngorongoro is brief. Lunch in the car with grey baboons on the hood. Drive up to the crater rim--- one of the best views I've ever seen. Olduvai Gorge and shifting sands both exciting, even though they don't let you go down into the gorge.

Dinner is delicious. The pineapple is amazing.

Played Spoono with some Australians, Brits, and a Kiwi. Mike's competitive nature got the better of him as he dove across the table.

Day 11:

Wake up cold due to camping on the crater rim without a sleeping bag. See day 1.

Descent into the crater is illuminated by sunbeams bursting through the clouds. Attempt to find Rhino fails, though we do see a cheetah in the far distance.

Arrival back to Arusha is uncomplicated. Stay at Arusha Centre inn is much nicer. Singapore soap opera---- incredible.

Day 12:

Depart Arusha Centre Inn for Arusha National Park. Confusion ensues as canoe guide is late. No matter as there are thousands of flamingoes to distract us.

Canoeing is refreshing. View of Mt Meru blocked by clouds. Drive to Moshi to be dropped off at Springlands Hotel. Arrive 5 minutes before briefing. Room is terrible, briefing good. Guide unmet. Substitute gives us advice instead.

Day 13:

Meet guide 5 minutes before bus departure. Buy way too many snacks that we continue to enjoy. Gate crowded. Panic and buy unnecessary rain cover for backpacks. Trek through the mud to reach new climate. Misidentify toilet as large orange bag. Toilet is in fact large orange bag.

Day 14:

Leave Machame camp behind and head straight uphill for next climate and Shira Camp. Meet a few Canadians and bond over love of Total Recall. Along with most of our stuff, the porters are sure to carry plastic flowers so that our table is not unadorned. Very important as the view of Mt. Meru is not enough.

Day 15:

Supplies of MILO and Cowbell run dangerously low. We press on to the lava tower. Intestinal issues begin to rear. Downhill from Lava Tower to Barranco Camp. We are surrounded by dewless giant succulents. 5am expedition to secure dew---unsuccessful.

Day 16:

Erin refuses to eat sausage after 15 days of sausage breakfasts. Short "3 hour" hike completed. Arrive before porters have finished setting up camp. Egos begin to swell----porters remain unimpressed. Sunset paints the entire sky orange. Dinner inside candlelit tent. Rice and deliciousness are served.

Day 17:

Second "3 hour hike" completed in 2 hours flat. Arrive at camp before slightly impressed porters. Meet Canadians descending from the summit. They are delerious. We are anxious to be delerious as well.

"Day" 18:

Awaken at midnight for tea and biscuits. Climb begins at 12:30am. Erin is dumbfounded as she actually has to remove a layer. Too warm you say!? Slope of volcanic ash and stone = 1 step foward, 2 steps back. Somehow we arrive at the summit. Guides insist we drink tea from quickly frosting mugs. Take celebratory pictures with fleeting batteries, and head back down as sun rises. Collect snow. Is this why Kilimanjaro's snows are disappearing?

Day 18:

Wake up. Did we just climb a mountain? Snow provides proof. As do legs upon hellish descent to Mweka Camp. Make note to kill whoever designed the trail. Rocks were not in fact the answer.
Dinner does not have to be run up the mountain by a porter. Banana empanadas are the standout.

Day 19:

Rush down mountain to beat mining company to gate. Receive "a golden ticket!" certifying our recent accomplishment. Bus back to Springlands. Pretend we didn't just climb the highest mountain on the continent and GO SHOPPING!

Day 20:

Bus to Mombo from Arusha leaves at 10am. Bus driver welds barin front of windshield midtrip to prevent glassy disaster. Random Frenchies accompany us on both taxis from Mombo to Lushoto. Half price! Arrive at internet cafe to update blog. Further adventures ensue...