The Journey Home

This was my last glimpse of Kilimanjaro. When we woke rested, but not able to walk up/down stairs on our final morning, the sun was shining but it was quite humid and the mountain was covered in clouds again. We had breakfast and a few hours to relax in the hotel or to walk to the village where there was a little tourist shop. I wasn't walking anywhere and instead we checked out of our room and found space on the sun loungers around the pool for some well deserved chill out time, before we were due to get the bus to the airport. Everyone was getting the bus, although not everyone was heading home straight away. 3 of the group were heading off to Zanzibar for some extra beach time - and another was off on safari for a few weeks. It was sad to say farewell as you form some special bonds with people that you share these experiences with.

The bus journey wasn't quite so smooth as the way in - the driver had a need for speed and was a bit mad on the roads. However, just 20 minutes from the airport - we all felt the large bang under the bus and feared the worst - a flat tyre? Were we going to make our flight? The driver stopped, got out, kicked each tyre which seemed to be intact and drove off again - at the same break neck speed. However - we made it! We spent ages at check in as there was a problem with the machine which printed the boarding cards. Each desk had at least 3 staff sat it, but with only one working ticket machine that needed a good thump to print a single boarding card - it was a very slow process. We didn't have long after getting checked in, so said our good byes and went through something that looked like security - but was pretty questionable. We were soon back on the awful planes, with rude staff, poor customer service and no safety briefing via Mobassa back to Addis Abbaba, where we had a slightly more pleasant 7 hour wait for our connecting flight (note to all; pay the extra money and go the more direct route!). There was free wifi at the airport, so we caught up on Facebook, made "friends" with each other and generally reconnected to the 21st century! All very weird really. And at 7am on Sunday morning, John met me at Heathrow. We are now busy planning our next adventure - but together this time!

xxx

Cathy's Kili Photo's

And a massive thanks to those of you who sponsored me! Without your support, when the going was tough - I'm not sure I'd have carried on without knowing you had put your hard earned cash and faith in me.