KILIMANJARO - 2009 - DAY 7

 FEBRUARY 20

Today is the beginning of our Kilimanjaro Expedition. After breakfast at the Moivaro Lodge, our duffel bags are loaded on the roof of a 4x4 Land Rover and we all squeeze inside. The road takes us up through the Plains of Arusha covered with lush plantations of bananas and coffee. When we stop for a quick snack, I get a chance to film the local housewives wearing traditional dresses. They are waiting for a local bus to take them back home.

After a quick check of the gear at the Londorossi Gate and the mandatory registration, we drive back to the Lemosho Gate, located at the beginning of the trail.

Our cook checks the supplies and Living, our Leader, assigns the loads to the porters. While this is happening, our second guide Adam suggests that we leave to stay ahead of them.

The trail runs through a dense, tropical forest. The beginning is quite easy and we have a chance to stop for a rest and to admire the beautiful flowers growing on the side of the trail. Later the trails get steeper and we have to scramble a bit across some fallen trees. Late in the afternoon we arrive at the Big Tree Camp, our destination for the night. Our porters are already there and the tents are set up and waiting. We have time for tea and relaxation before dinner.