Flying to Kilimanjaro Part 1

Friday 3rd September

Like the trip to Egypt last year this one also begins in Heathrow Terminal 3, however unlike last year it doesn't seem to be full of kids heading off on half term, and more importantly, this time the Italian cafe has pizza.  Having waited almost a year for this pizza, it turns out to be very disappointing.

But never mind it's time to head to Tanzania, via Addis Ababa.  Its quite funny sitting at the gate, you can see a significant part of the passengers are also off to climb Africa's highest mountain.  How, they are all wearing trekking boots.  These, along with your waterproofs, thermals and a sleeping bag are probably the most important items you own when you get to Kili, so they travel with you.  Well the sleeping bag is also very important, but that's too big for carry on.

Anyway I get sitting next to Tim, who is also climbing Kilimanjaro, on the same route as it happens.  And then right behind an immense squeaking erupts as someone is trying to stuff a rubber chicken into an overhead bin.  Again it is obvious that this chicken is going to be going to the top of the mountain, it's only a question of whether or not it will be in my group.

The flight itself is pretty OK, you try to catch some sleep on the way, and all of sudden it is Saturday morning and you are approaching Addis airport.