Day 15

I knew something would go wrong! 

Woke up at 8.15 for 8.30 breakfast as planned. It was good. Went upstairs to pack and I’m bopping around to Jambo bwana when I get a knock at the door. “Your driver is here.” I bloody knew that Frank would cock it up. He said 10 and I said 12. We settled on 12 and he turned up at 10. We had a word with him and he said he would come back at 12. Then 11 arrives and so does another driver. So now I’ve got two drivers, both early. 

I got to the airport to be told, and you’ll never guess this one, I’m at the wrong airport! The company had changed the flight to Arusha airport as opposed to Kilimanjaro airport and were supposed to communicate this to me but didn’t. He said it wasn’t my fault (no shit!) and they would sort it. I was put on another flight later in the day, wasting valuable beach and laundry time! 

It was a peculiar little airport. You had to go through security before you’d even checked in and then go through it again later on. 

Even from the air you could sense the stark contrast between here and the mainland. I wouldn’t call it affluence but by comparison this was worthy of royalty. 

I got to the hotel. It was ok. I had JUST enough shillings to pay as they didn’t accept card. I unpacked and contacted Mark from the previous trip. We arranged to meet at Emerson Tea House. The reception lady called me a cab. 

The cab turned up and couldn’t speak English so the lady kindly told him ATM and then Tea House. We got to round the corner from the place and there was an enormous traffic jam. Some guy was shouting through the window that I have to walk but I didn’t want to leave the car there were so many people around. The driver reversed and went a different way. He then parked in a dark alley, got out and said come with me. Eeeeek. Alarm bells. However, he did actually walk me to the restaurant and so I paid him extra. 

It was the wrong restaurant. Mark came to get me and we ate at Mercury’s. Then we walked back to his hotel to the rooftop terrace for a drink and on the way went through a huge street food market. I wished I had my camera. Maybe tomorrow…….