After getting through security, and Mike got hassled over a first aid kit of all things, we boarded a tiny propeller plane with twelve rows of tourists bound for Dar Es Salaam. Glancing out our window as we took off, we caught our last glimpse of the mountain. Our airplane was cruising at 16,000 feet. Kili stood at 19,000 plus. This was when the impact of what we had accomplished finally hit us. You have to keep in mind that we were higher than the clouds for...

Heading back into town, my first goal was to hit an ATM. And what a nightmare that turned out to be. It literally took trips to three different ATM's and close to an hour before I was finally able to extract cash. Apparently, it's pretty common for the ATM's to run out of money. Or to break down. Lesson learned. Always bring lots and lots of American dollars to Africa. It's much easier to exchange money than to acquire money. After cold shower #3, we headed ...

After walking for six straight days, we were more than a little excited at the prospect of sitting in a safari truck for the next five. Our wonderful guide, Andrew, and our fantastic chef, Mr. Bean, picked us up bright and early. No, that was not his actual name, which was very long and hard to pronounce. But, yes, that's what he wanted us to call him. Apparently, his parents had given him that nickname because he spent so much time watching Mr. Bean as a chi...

After arriving at our hostel and following yet another round of goodbyes, we were really looking forward to a nice hot shower to get rid of all the dust and grime from the last six days. Little did we know that we would be in for one last surprise. Turns out shower #2 would be just as cold as shower #1. Brrrrrr. Relatively clean albeit cold, we, accompanied by Mike fresh off his adventures in Malawi, met up with Godwin and Tina for dinner. And what is more fun th...

Bright and early the next day, we began our great big adventure up the tallest mountain in Africa. This was the highlight of the trip for me, this six-day 62-mile trek up the Machame route. It was what I had been looking forward to most on this entire trip. I had even trained the previous week by walking around the Great Mall. Twice. In the same day. All joking aside, I was super determined to make it up this big bad mountain, of which I still could not see t...