Day 9 – Last Day of Safari (Lake Manyara/Arusha/Kilimanjaro)

And so it is…last morning in Africa! Great night sleep and it’s so chilly in the tent, neither Rich or I wanted to get up. Breakfast and goodbyes at 7:30 and we’re in route to Arusha by 8:00am. It’s cool here this morning so the tops are still on the jeep. Driving out I’ve come to terms with leaving and looking forward to a little shopping along the way.

Stopped by a t-shirt shop and another souvenir shop – pretty much got all we were looking for with the exception of that special gift Rich was looking for for Linda. Rich and I both dressed for the long flight home, completely forgetting we had one last driveq through Lake Manyara National Park (a much smaller park) on the way. Ally took the tops back off so we could enjoy our last drive. Park here is much greener because it has under water springs. But that also means it is very wooded so a little more difficult to see the animals.

Lots of monkeys (which are so adorable) and the normal grazing animals. Ally said though there ARE lions here, he hasn’t seen them in 2 years…and I can see why. We stopped by a lunch area there in the park to eat before continuing our drive in to Arusha. What’s in our lunch boxes everyday is always a surprise…Edward sent us left over farewell cake for our last lunch!

MSafari, the security guard that works the gate at the Mt. Meru hotel was there when we drove through today. It was good to see him again and he remembered to ask for his photo I promised to send him. I’ll have it framed and sent through Dawn at ADS. Martius and Timan were waiting at the front of the hotel as we pulled in. I appreciate them both so much for what they did to get me a camera. Both went way beyond for me.

As we all sat and talked about the week it was time to settle up with Ally and say our goodbyes. I thought I was ok until I hugged him good-bye. I don’t know if he fully understands how much this trip has meant to me and how big of a part he played in it being so memorable. Rich and I will never forget you Ally! God bless you and your family.

We had a day room there at the hotel for a few hours; to freshen up and get some lunch before we leave for the airport. Did a little more shopping there in the gift shop and waited for Martius and Timan to pick us back up. Have to admit that on our drive, we actually saw Mt. Kilimanjaro for the first time. The mountain we took pictures of day 1 (which we thought was Kilimanjaro) was actually Mt. Meru. It’s difficult to see it because the peak is normally in the clouds, but we caught just the right angle so the highest peak was visible. Was able to get photos of the snow on the peaks, which was amazing.

They got us to the airport 2.5 hours early, but that’s ok. Allowed us to get through customs, etc. with time to spare. Rich was able to find that special gift for Linda and I picked up a few more things. Good thing we decided to check our luggage this time. Our souvenir bag is getting heavy! Funny story is that they made Rich fill out some declaration form to get through customs, but not me? Not sure why. Rich said it was because I batted my eyes…LOL! I think it was because the customs officer I had didn’t want to mess with it. Who knows. I was also pretty sure Rich was going to have to completely uncloth to get through security…LOL. Provided a great deal of entertainment for not only me, but a few others in the waiting area…LOL! Sorry Rich, it was funny.

1st flight went to Del Sar which is South of Arusha. That one stop added two hours to our already lengthy flight to Amsterdam. So 9.5 hours later we arrived in Amsterdam. Three hour layover there allowed us to see parts of the airport we didn’t get to see when we came through the first time. At that airport, each gate has their own security check point verse one area for the entire airport. Also allowed me to pick up some flower bulbs (Tulips are famous in Amsterdam). Thought if I plant them, every year when they bloom, I will be reminded of this adventure. Rich and I both slept off and on, watched a couple of movies (including Born Free…:)), taught Rich how to play Sudoku and counted down the hours until we would be home. Once we started the journey I couldn’t wait to get there.

Quick stop through Detroit and a short 1-hour flight home. We were in the last seat on the plane so the last people off. Dave picked us up and we were at moms by 5:00. Had to stop by to see my boy and take him his goodies. His favorite gift was the two small pieces of lava rock I picked up at the park before we left (sorry Ally, I know I wasn’t supposed to do that). He said “cool MiMi…thanks”. He had his Tanzania bracelet (like mine) around his ankle. Not sure what he ended up taking to school today for show and tell but I’m sure he took something. Plenty of hot water and water pressure here at home. I actually lost 4lbs during the week, which is unbelievable since all I felt like we did was eat, but I’ll take it. Once last funny story is about my step counter on my phone. Mid way through the 2nd day of our Safari, my achievement sound went off letting me know I had reached my goal of 10,000 steps. Walked 5.23 miles…lol! I guess the jarring of the jeep counted as steps for me. Plus climbing up and down looking out the top must have counted for something.

Crawled into bed, missing my hot water bottle…LOL! Sure could have used it last night. I’m not sure how I slept. Dave said I woke up a couple times, looked around like I wasn’t sure where I was and laid back down. Up at 6:30 which would be 3:30pm in Africa. Not sure how long it will take me to get back on track. Atleast I’m home.

DSC_2195

DSC_2192

DSC_1731

DSC_2119

DSC_2113

DSC_2110

DSC_2153

33,296 thoughts on “Day 9 – Last Day of Safari (Lake Manyara/Arusha/Kilimanjaro)

  1. Hello are using WordPress for your blog platform?
    I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you require any
    html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  2. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources
    back to your weblog? My website is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my visitors would truly benefit from a
    lot of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this alright with you.
    Cheers!

  3. Aw, this was a very good post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to generate a really good article… but what can I say… I
    hesitate a lot and don’t seem to get anything done.

  4. I think that what you said was very logical. However, what about
    this? suppose you were to write a awesome headline? I mean, I don’t wish to tell you how to run your blog, but what if you added
    a post title that makes people want more? I mean Day 9 – Last Day
    of Safari (Lake Manyara/Arusha/Kilimanjaro) | African Adventures of Peep and
    Pickles is a little plain. You should glance at Yahoo’s front page and see how they create post titles
    to grab viewers to open the links. You might try adding a video or a related pic
    or two to get people interested about what you’ve written. In my opinion, it might make your website a little bit more interesting.

  5. Почему пользователи выбирают площадку KRAKEN?

    Маркетплейс KRAKEN заслужил доверие многочисленной аудитории
    благодаря сочетанию ключевых факторов.
    Во-первых, это широкий и разнообразный ассортимент, представленный сотнями продавцов.

    Во-вторых, интуитивно понятный интерфейс KRAKEN, который упрощает навигацию, поиск
    товаров и управление заказами даже
    для новых пользователей. В-третьих, продуманная система безопасных транзакций, включающая механизмы разрешения
    споров (диспутов) и возможность использования
    условного депонирования, что минимизирует риски для обеих сторон сделки.

    На KRAKEN функциональность сочетается с внимательным отношением к безопасности клиентов, что делает процесс покупок более предсказуемым,
    защищенным и, как следствие, популярным среди пользователей, ценящих анонимность и надежность.

  6. Hello very cool web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful
    .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds additionally?
    I am glad to find a lot of useful information right here
    in the submit, we’d like work out more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing.
    . . . . .

  7. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed!
    Extremely useful info specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot.

    I was seeking this particular information for a
    long time. Thank you and good luck.

  8. Почему пользователи выбирают площадку KRAKEN?

    Маркетплейс KRAKEN заслужил доверие многочисленной аудитории
    благодаря сочетанию ключевых факторов.
    Во-первых, это широкий и разнообразный
    ассортимент, представленный сотнями продавцов.
    Во-вторых, интуитивно понятный
    интерфейс KRAKEN, который упрощает навигацию, поиск
    товаров и управление заказами даже для новых пользователей.
    В-третьих, продуманная система безопасных транзакций,
    включающая механизмы разрешения споров (диспутов) и возможность
    использования условного депонирования, что минимизирует риски для
    обеих сторон сделки. На KRAKEN функциональность сочетается с внимательным отношением
    к безопасности клиентов, что делает процесс покупок более предсказуемым, защищенным и, как следствие,
    популярным среди пользователей, ценящих анонимность и надежность.

  9. Thanks for every other informative site. Where else may I get that type of info written in such an ideal method?
    I have a venture that I am just now running on, and
    I’ve been on the look out for such info.

  10. reklame에 대한 당신의 생각을 공유해줘서 감사합니다.
    Regards

    Have you ever considered creating an e-book or guest authoring
    on other sites? I have a blog centered on the same subjects you discuss and would really like to have you share some
    stories/information. I know my viewers would enjoy your work.
    If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an email.

  11. Beneficial Blog! I had been simply just debating that there are plenty of screwy results at this issue you now purely replaced my personal belief. Thank you an excellent write-up.

  12. Heya i am for the primary time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me
    out a lot. I’m hoping to provide one thing again and aid others like you helped me.

  13. You are so cool! I do not think I have read something like this before.

    So good to find another person with some original thoughts on this subject
    matter. Really.. many thanks for starting this up.
    This site is one thing that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality!

  14. We absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post’s to be exactly I’m looking
    for. can you offer guest writers to write content for you?
    I wouldn’t mind composing a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write in relation to here.
    Again, awesome site!

  15. That is really attention-grabbing, You’re an excessively professional blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and sit up for searching for extra of your fantastic post.
    Additionally, I have shared your website in my social networks

  16. We absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be precisely what I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a number of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome site!

  17. Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this article
    is amazing, nice written and come with almost all vital infos.
    I would like to look more posts like this .

  18. Definitely consider that that you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be at the web the easiest thing to keep in mind of.
    I say to you, I definitely get irked while other people think
    about concerns that they just do not recognise about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as
    neatly as outlined out the entire thing with no need
    side effect , other people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
    Thanks

  19. I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is
    needed to get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny?
    I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% sure. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Many thanks

  20. Great blog you have got here.. It’s hard to find excellent writing like
    yours nowadays. I really appreciate individuals like you!
    Take care!!

  21. Simply desire to say your article is as amazing.
    The clearness for your put up is just spectacular and that i can assume you are
    knowledgeable on this subject. Fine together with your permission let me
    to snatch your feed to stay up to date with coming near near post.
    Thank you one million and please keep up the gratifying work.

  22. Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of.
    I say to you, I definitely get irked while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also
    defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal.
    Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  23. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across
    a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you’ve hit
    the nail on the head. The problem is something not enough people are speaking intelligently about.

    I am very happy I stumbled across this in my hunt for something
    concerning this.

  24. Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility issues.
    When I look at your blog in Opera, it looks fine
    but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
    I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, great blog!

  25. Hello! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone!

    Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts!

    Keep up the excellent work!

  26. We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
    Your web site offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire community will be thankful to you.

  27. Почему пользователи выбирают площадку KRAKEN?

    Маркетплейс KRAKEN заслужил
    доверие многочисленной аудитории благодаря сочетанию ключевых факторов.

    Во-первых, это широкий и разнообразный ассортимент, представленный сотнями продавцов.
    Во-вторых, интуитивно понятный интерфейс KRAKEN, который упрощает навигацию, поиск товаров и управление заказами даже для новых пользователей.
    В-третьих, продуманная система безопасных транзакций,
    включающая механизмы разрешения споров (диспутов) и возможность использования
    условного депонирования, что минимизирует
    риски для обеих сторон сделки.
    На KRAKEN функциональность сочетается с внимательным отношением к безопасности клиентов,
    что делает процесс покупок более предсказуемым, защищенным и, как следствие, популярным среди пользователей, ценящих анонимность и надежность.

  28. When I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!

  29. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know
    so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the
    message home a bit, but other than that, this is
    wonderful blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

  30. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!

  31. Hmm is anyone else having problems with the
    images on this blog loading? I’m trying to determine if
    its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback would
    be greatly appreciated.

Leave a Reply to australian pokies online real money Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *