Kilimanjaro - Machame Route

Hi Pete,

Im going on this trip, leaving on the 31st Aug. so excited.

When are you leaving?

Sarah

Hey,

yes im on the same flight. :)
You doing this with anyone or on your own?
I must be mad but Im going on my own. :s Trip of a life time im sure.

I am mad also then or just a Billy no mates :)

hey less of the billy no mates :) clearly they are just not as adventurous as we are.

Ha Ha, agreed, when I said I was going nobody ask if they could come, I just got "you must be mad!"

sounds like my friends. :)

So where are you from? Im having to get from Birmingham before the trip so going to be a really long day travelling.

I actually live in Redditch, but will be travelling to the airport from Weymouth but returning to Redditch after the trip.

ahahaha what a small world it is. :)

It most certainly is :)
I look forward to meeting you, I think we will have a challenging but rewarding holiday.
Maybe we can meet up at the airport pre flight at least we will have a travelling companion to pass the time?

sounds like a plan to me. hopefully more of the group will get chatting on here and we can all get together. :) I will only be with you on the flight out though as I have extended my trip with a safari trip. SO excited.

lucky you, I haven't got time for safari :(
yeah not sure how many are book on this trip. When i first booked it was just me then i was told another 3 had joined of which you must have been one. So at least 2 more but i would think that will grow.
Need to sort out injections now - not looking forward to that!

there is soo much to sort out-think the shopping will have to start soon.

im just concentrating on the training at the moment. I have started running and doing more general exercise...think I feel better for it too...im sleeping like a baby.

thats a good idea you need to get yourself fit. I already do alot of exercise so not worried out that really.
I'm running London marathon Sunday so hopefully the walk won't be too bad, its the altitude that concerns me.
Certainly plenty of shopping coming though! :)

wow well wishing you lots of luck for Sunday. Let me know how you get on. :)

I must admit I think from a walking point of view I could power through and make it so yes its the altitude thats going to cause a problem, but not a lot we can do about that one :(.

argh, feeling quite nervous now.

yeah its just a bit of a lottery if you can handle the altitude or not, i have a good feeling that we will do it though.

i think the thing we should be most concerned about is the toilets!

ahahaha I hadnt even thought about that...but hey, whats a few days with nature and a stinky toilet. :)

I read that you need a bandana not for the wind but to soak in aftershave to cover your face in the "toilet" aka hole with a bucket with the bottom cut out :)

as a side point marathon went well - I did 2hrs 52mins new PB :)

well done, thats amazing :) I could not imagine running for that long.

and im going to try and be optomistic and say that as not many people mention the toilet situation, it might be managable and everything else makes up for it :) (we just might need the pegs for our nose and not to hang clothes to dry)

Hey,

I finished my injections yesturday. -they advised against Yellow fever though...not sure if im doing the right thing, are you getting/had it?

My passport is currently with the embassy, so fingers crossed I should have that back soon :) You sorted yours yet?

As for training...it has been a little lapse :'( (mainly because of the injections really knocking me about...well thats the excuse) but im back on it now and doing plently of walking in my boots :)

Think im getting rather excited now. :)

What time are you getting to the airport for? Think im going to end up being there really early. As im traveling from Brum but I dont want to end up on the M25 in rush hour so thinking I will probs be there by 4pm :s

Hope training (not that you need to) and your preparations are going ok too :)

I think you should have Yellow fever - you may need a certificate for it.

because we fly intoAddis if that plane gets delayed you will then need to prove you have had the yellow fever injection and they can make you have it then and will charge you aswell.

i paid 65 pound for it and you need it 10 days before entering peace of mind really. below is the adventure company advice

TANZANIA YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CERTIFICATES
We personaly recommend you to get your Yellow Fever Certificate anyway, to be on the safe side, as it
is valid for 10 years and you might be delayed in an endemic country for more than 12h if your flight get
delayed and then you will need to provide it.
Kenya Airways has received the following communication from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of
Tanzania regarding requirement of Yellow Fever Certificate. The directive stipulates the following:
1. All passengers arriving from Non Endemic Yellow Fever zone(s) will not be required to show a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate on their arrival to Tanzania.
2. All passengers en route to Tanzania, who have passed through an Endemic Yellow Fever zone(s) BUT did not leave that country's airport, will be treated as above (1) above.
3. All passengers en route to Tanzania, who have passed through an Endemic Yellow Fever zone(s) and have left the airport of that endemic country, will be required to show yellow fever certificates on their arrival in
Tanzania. Otherwise they will require a vaccination at the entry point of arrival in Tanzania (vaccination fee USD 50.00).
4. All passengers from Endemic Yellow Fever zone(s) will be treated as those in (3) above
5. All passengers from the Tanzania mainland to Zanzibar will not be required to show their yellow fever
vaccination certificate as Zanzibar is inside the United Republic of Tanzania.
Note: The same regulations now apply to those flying directly to Zanzibar.
Please be aware that we had reports of Arusha airport abusive practices and if you get asked for your
Yellow Fever Certificate and you don't have it, argue that you were only transiting in Kenya or Ethiopia
and did not leave the airport and therefore aren't entitled to provide such certificate and will NOT
purchase it at the airport.
For detailed information and advice concerniing vaccinations go to:www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk.
Vaccination requirements change periodically so we advise that you check with your nearest specialist travel clinic 4-6 weeks before departure to get up-to-date information. A specialist travel clinic should
also be able to advise regarding any special vaccination requirements for your children.
International rules for carrying medicines vary. Some countries do not allow certain medicines to be imported, or require official documents, such as a doctor's letter, to prove drugs have been prescribed by a doctor and obtained legally. It is sensible to contact the relevant embassy or high commission of your destination to check what their drug transportation rules are before you travel

Yeah injections done, just got to pick up malaria tablets, Passport sent for visa, just need to sort out last bit of equipment and i'm done.

haven't looked at travel time yet - I'll let you know.

my training is ok and am doing Ironman triathlon on Sunday so not to worried about fitness just altitude which i can't prepare for.

just want to get going now - only 4 in our group so far....

hummm you could be right. *grumbles at another injection*.

I must admit I still have a lot of sorting to do...im not a 'last minute' person but I am a 'close to last minute' person :)

How did the Ironman triathlon go?

and is it still only 4? I would have thought it would be a little higher by now.

passport is on its way back from the embassy today - yeah!

I'm also getting close to a last minute person too.

i think u should just get the injection - peace of mind :)

Ironman went ok thanks - just too hot on the day.

yeah it was 4 last week - they said they expected a few more but they said that when i booked - can't see it increasing now.

sooo excited now :)

and I asked a few days ago and it was still at 4. could be nice having a small group though.

going to get the injection done, as I know you are right and I would only worry at the airport. :(

You all sorted now?

not far away now - I'm getting the coach I think so will be at the airport around 4 aswell.
going to get my malaria tablets today then just a few odds and sods to get.
can't wait but starting to feel the nerves I think :)

Hi all.

Just to say me and my daughter will be on the trip as well. Hopefully we have everything prepared and look forward to seeing you both on the trip. Bit surprised as well to see that there are just four going ? Surely there must be more than that ? No matter how small or large a group, it's still going to be great !

Hello. I look forward to meeting you all...only a few days left.

Pete (and you Ram, if you wanted to) im not taking my phone so didnt know if you had any idea on where to meet at the airport. Im due there at about 4.00pm. Not sure if you are on fb but my profile is sarah allington.

Hope you are all ready. :)

guys great meeting you all - will send you some photos once the emails start.