Massive View Ngorongoro
Quick post bragging about the incredible view from our room atop the Ngorongoro Crater rim. Tomorrow, we descend into the crater for a game drive.
Author: cysix
Arusha Local Beer #2
Yesterday I tried Kilimanjaro, the local beer for Arusha. Wasn’t bad, but it was the first beer I drank post Germany. Trying their second local brew Serengeti. Drinking is with traditional fish and chips harking back to the days of British colonization of Tanzania.
Arusha Cultural Heritage Center
Stopping for some drinks during our time browsing the Cultural Heritage Center. Met the owner and he gave us some interesting info. He’s a self-made local boy who obtained his fortune through Tanzanite trading. He built the cultural center to aid the local community. They now support over 6000 local artists and are also donating all the proceeds from their…
Pre-dinner Drinks
Tried some local beerage, but ended up sticking to Bombay and Tonic as it just didn’t compare to the excellent German beer, we had the day before.
Chillax’n Today
Starting to adapt to the time change. Up at 7am and just hanging in the yard to let Lisa get some more shuteye. Nothing planned for the day, though the group seems to want to go to the “Cultural Center.” Probably a tourist trap intended to entice unwary into spending $ on cheap Chinese made trinkets, but hey whatever. Yesterday…
Drive to Arusha Serena Hotel
George our driver was waiting for us outside customs and whisked us on our way without delay. Super nice guy who will be with us for several days. Ride to the hotel was in one of the vehicles we’ll us on safari…the ubiquitous 6 tourist seat Land Cruiser with pop up top. All the way to the hotel George gave…
Touchdown at Kilimanjaro
After a very very VERY long two days of non-stop travel we finally made it to Tanzania. While flying in and after we touched down, I was immediately reminded of all of the Caribbean islands we’ve visited…same steps down from the plane, same lush landscape, same smack of heat and humidity the instant you exit the plane and same thronging…
Addis Ababa Airport
The airport itself is a bit of a mixed bag. You can see from the photos a somewhat modern open and airy layout. However, when you look close, you see mostly neglected maintenance, stuff broken and general bodgery. Ethiopia Airlines itself has a bunch of very new planes like the Airbus we flew in on, but they clearly don’t spend…
Masked Travelers
Virtually all airport personal and about 10% of all travelers are wearing some sort of mask in misguided attempts to keep from contracting the Corona Virus. While the mostly flimsy surgical masks will do little for them, I am not complaining as it might help me from getting it… though with the shear amount of time we are spending in…
Cloud Nine Lounge
Luckily we have access to the one good lounge at the airport for our layover. Nice company chairs and plenty of food, though we are both stuffed. Also a nice coffee/expresso machine that we’re taking advantage of. The dinner on the flight was a slight cut above normal airline food, but not outstanding. Decent Wi-Fi in the lounge, enabling this…