All Roads Lead To Dar Es Salaam
Eight Canadian friends living around the world meet in Dar Es Salaam to set out on a journey of a life time to reach the top of Africa and explore Tanzania.
Trekking Kilimanjaro 2003 - Seven friends and I undertook the most amazing trip to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2003. These pages recount the original diary that I kept during our trek. Photo galleries exist of the climb, the safaris to Tarangire and Ngorongoro and our trip to Stone Town, Zanzibar.
Thursday 25 September
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
The day has finally arrived.
I’ve been waiting for this the whole year, it’s like I kept telling myself it would never happen. I certainly didn’t want to spoil this day — the day I go to Africa!
Unfortunately, I really didn’t want to go.
I was terribly hung over. Not the “oh I feel like not going to work” hung over but more like the “turn me over shoot me in the head repeatedly till I die screaming” kind of hung over.
Of course, it may have been something to do with the dehydration and the three hours of sleep. What matter, I’d only got a night of flying ahead (not to mention a stressful day of work). I am after all capable of at least that!
And I’d have gotten away with it too if it hadn’t been for those darned gits at Air Canada. Sigh. Remind me to get rid of Air Canada if I ever become Prime Minister.
With a final farewell to Jason K. who was going to take care of my apartment, cat and prepare for his wedding (!), I jumped aboard a rather noisy Dash 8 and off I went to Calgary. As the propellers pushed through clouds and the lights of Edmonton dimmed behind me, my excitement was bubbling, I was going to Africa after all these years!
Friday 26 September
Calgary, Alberta, Canada — Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Actually Friday began on Thursday, inevitable continued into Saturday and without a breather drank in Sunday. If I can get through this ordeal believe me I can get through Kilimanjaro. Heck I can climb Everest!
Thursday night I sat in the plane to go to London for 2hrs and more. As the night stretched out it became apparent my journey was to be doomed. The flight was cancelled due to mechanical problems. Off we trooped out of the flight and we headed through the deserted Calgary airport for a briefing on what to do next.
I mean there’s nothing really wrong with Air Canada. Unfortunately there’s nothing really right either. We Canadians only fly it out of necessity, but really it’s more like a plane befitting a bankrupt nation. Worse is the service. I’m sure the cranky, some tear-filled passengers enjoyed being shouted at by the Air Canada officials. I would say they lost several future clients that night. Including me.
After waking up in Calgary (!!) at the Holiday Inn, I grabbed a quick muffin and off I went to the airport. This time I was going to catch a flight to Toronto. As I told Tushar in London on the phone, I’d rather be in Toronto than trust Air Canada’s competence to get the Calgary flight out that evening. At least from Toronto I’d have many London flights to choose from. I’ve now had 2hrs sleep. Add to the 3hrs I got after Diarmid and the boys took me out drinking on Wednesday night, I face Air Canada on 5 hrs of sleep. Yay.
But now I’m on a flight to Toronto. Fat chance my high school reunion will happen on Friday night in London or even see Sue. But the important thing is to meet everyone in London.
Saturday Sept 27th
London, England
A day later than planned I’m on the ground at Heathrow. After some trials and tribulations (namely my lack of sleep) I meet up with everyone, including my luggage. Thank god for Tushar and Gayathri, they let me sleep while the others got some lunch and explored London (I believe they met up with Lisa Dinn). The logistical nightmare of getting everyone to London is over.
Tushar takes me to see Neil Whalley and Emma Laing. Wow, Neil hasn’t changed but they’ve both grown up. I guess we all have. Back at Terminal 3 we, the Canadian contingent, meet up. Our adventure is about to begin and I have now had 8 hrs of sleep in 4 days. Sigh.