Have a look at this site. I thought I would use it to correspond from Africa, departing Adel on 15/8 at 5.15pm arriving Naoribi on 16/8, no double completely exhausted having travelled all night. Love, Mum
comments
Garry
Hi Vicki,
Instructions for accessing this site a bit like the Crows'efforts this year-somewhat lacking.
I think I've worked it out.
Email address for Linds is [email protected]
for Martin is Martin Hawthorne is [email protected]
I have sent them your itinerary etc.
Garry
Garry
BTW Did you take a yellow Crikey Cadel t-shirt?
Apart from yourself and family, only decent thing to have emerged from SA for many years.
Vicki Dean
Firist day in Naoribi today, beautiful clear sunny weather in mid 20s. saw downtown Naoribi which is a very busy and full of enterprise, bus loads of people and lots of security/police around to keep crime down. We are staying in a very sophisticated hotel on the outskirts of the city called the Fairview which is delightful, good food, very clean and gracious place with friendly competent staff. Off to Arusha tomorrow by local bus for 5 hours, prepare for our Mt Kili hike to start on Friday for gear ready day and Sat to commence walk. Tempted to stay at the Fairview and give it a miss - only kidding!
garry
Hi Vic,
Apparently cadel is from Victoria. Leaves just you and family as only decent to emerge from sa for many years.
Garry
Vicki Dean
18/8/2011 Great to hear from you Garry and thank you for persisting with the site. Arrived in Arusha today after a five hour bus trip with the locals, bus was packed with people - luggage chucked on top. Travelled through some desperately poor dusty country from Kenya to Tanzania. Saw impoverished Masai communities. Arusha jam packed with people, cars, buses. The lodge we are staying in is very basic however staff are terrific. Dinner consisted of 10 small dishes to try the local food which was very tasty, just hope we are not sick tomorrow. Tomorrow 19/9 is gear preparation day, also will meet the other hikers. So far at the Lodge, Henry and I look like the grandparents of the other guests here.
Kym
Good to hear all is going well. I'm sure you and Henry will show up all of those youngsters on your walk!!
garry
Hi Vic,
Agree with Kym. Cant imagine many being fitter than you.
Bazza's computer not working (he bought a lemon) so I'm giving he and grandma updates. This way grandma isn't hassling everyone to contact Interpol to establish your whereabouts each day.
If they are swedes or dutch in your group trying to show off, Bazza suggests enquiring which side they were on.
Jo flys to Europe this time next week. Me, Im going to work :--(
garry
Nb Lindsay asks if Waddy Point Fraser island is on your itinerary. If so, he says he could meet you there. Otherwise, no chance.
Martin
G'day Vicki, think your hiking now so hope all goes well. Please note updated email address. Don't know anything about protocol for blog - just searched your name and found this. So trust this works. Fantastic looking trip from itinerary. Look forward to hearing from you again.
garry
Hi Vicki,
Reported to your mum all is well and that Interpol can have the day off. Also the Crows won a game of footy-remarkable really.
Vicki Dean
Hello everyone. Henry and I arrived safely back in Arusha yesterday having had the most exhausting hike of our lives. I made it to the summit of Mt Kili after 8 hours of relentlessly uphill hiking. The last 2.5 hours were through glacial scree which was like hiking through beach sand uphill. I was supposed to arrive at the scree before dawn so that it was frozen solid however was late so it had turned to soft rubble. The view from Stella Point was magic at 5700 mtres above sea level. The best part of the whole week was surfing through the scree on the way down, have never been so dirty in my whole life. Unfortunately Henry had to turn back half way up the mountain, had suffered with gut rot for the first few days and found himself dehydrated and unable to keep going due to exhaustion. Very disappointing given all the planning and hard work. We have three nights in Arusha which is comfortable, really enjoyed the hot shower last night - my hair took 4 goes of the shampoo to come good. Met some beaut people, our group consisted of 3 Aussies, father and son Dutchman, father and son Canadian, 1 Texan. The Texan had the most to say followed by the Canadians. The Dutch father had to turn back after the first day and the Canadians after the second day. Henry and I did not have altitude sickness. Have really enjoyed meeting the local Tanzanians who worked as guides and porters etc. We were told the guides were paid $US 7 per day, the porters something less than this. They rely on tips to top up their income. What a s***ty system - to work that hard and be paid so little. It took 35 Tanzanians to get us through the hike.After the 3 days in Arusha we are off on safari - ie lots of sitting in a jeep and eating. Sounds good to me. Thanks very much for your comments. Love, Vic
Rob
Congrats Mum! Do you have any photos to upload?
Garry
Will report to your mum that all is well and that Interpol can stand down. Trust you consoled Henry with a few rousing chorses of "share a bucket with a friend". Good of Rob to congratulate you. Working for a big firm, you'll appreciate he needs to charge by the word so handy he kept it to two short sentences.
Martin
Congratulations Vicki a fantastic effort to get to top. Enjoy your safari - would love to see those wild animals up close take plenty of pictures. Jo in gay Paris now and having a great time too.
Garry
Hi Vic,
What's happening?
Immediately Andrew Hilditch (SA) sacked as head Australian cricket selector, they win a test match. Go figure.
Garry
Hey Vic, Monitoring this site is like watching cheese go mouldy. Where are all the photos, blogs, stories etc.
And should we call Interpol?
Kym
Yep, I think we're about due for a new update!! :)
garry hawthorne
Hi Vic, should we consider asking Martin Sheen to reprise his role in Apocalypse Now and journey into the heart of darkness to find you? BTW St Kilda cruxified by umpires in elimination final against Sydney. Now no team left with much chance of stopping the 'Pies from making it 2/2.
John Griffith
Congratulations Vicki and to Henry for what you achieved. Terrific preparation and a courageous climb in amazingly difficult conditions. I am in awe! Hope you enjoy a thoroughly relaxing wind-down for the rest of your trip. Chris D is coming around on Thursday night so I'll try to give you and update on Beth, who is home and doing OK. Best wishes
- stay safe. John G.
Vicki Dean
Hello everyone, Arrived back in Nairobi today having spent the last 3 weeks on safari staying in remote camps. I have been sending SMS to Tim via Henry and Helen's Iphones when we've been able. Sorry to have worried you unnecessarily. We've had a great time locating and identifying animals of many different species. Sam our last guide was full of knowledge across all species and made the days fun and very interesting. However we have probably had enough African massage for now (bumping around in the back of a four wheel drive!). I hope to load some photos up later on - there are only 2 computers in the hotel. The tipping drives you nuts - have to bear in mind that the staff are paid peanuts and relying on tips to top up their income. Peoplel race to grab your bag and before you know it you are tipping somebody else. We visited a Masai manyatta (compound). A subsistence life which revolves around cows and cow products. Henry and I joined in their dancing (to the best of our ability which wasn't great). I think some practice may be required.
FYI Kenya is 8 hours behind Adelaide. We are off to Rome at midnight on 16 September. What a contrast that will be. Will need to get into gym as not possible to walk around the parks for fear of running into a lion, leopard, cheeta, hippo, rhino, hyena, jackal etc etc. However I will miss the wide open spaces of Tanzania and Kenya and friendly welcoming people. Helen had her birthday at Ashnil Tented camp on 13/9 - what a party. All the dining room staff came out in full chef regalia, singing, clapping, blowing horns to deliver the birthday cake to Helen. It was wonderful fun.
Love to everyone at home and many thanks for best wishes. John, we will bore you for months with stories of adventures and misadventures.
Garry Hi Vicki, Instructions for accessing this site a bit like the Crows'efforts this year-somewhat lacking. I think I've worked it out. Email address for Linds is [email protected] for Martin is Martin Hawthorne is [email protected] I have sent them your itinerary etc. Garry
Garry BTW Did you take a yellow Crikey Cadel t-shirt? Apart from yourself and family, only decent thing to have emerged from SA for many years.
Vicki Dean Firist day in Naoribi today, beautiful clear sunny weather in mid 20s. saw downtown Naoribi which is a very busy and full of enterprise, bus loads of people and lots of security/police around to keep crime down. We are staying in a very sophisticated hotel on the outskirts of the city called the Fairview which is delightful, good food, very clean and gracious place with friendly competent staff. Off to Arusha tomorrow by local bus for 5 hours, prepare for our Mt Kili hike to start on Friday for gear ready day and Sat to commence walk. Tempted to stay at the Fairview and give it a miss - only kidding!
garry Hi Vic, Apparently cadel is from Victoria. Leaves just you and family as only decent to emerge from sa for many years. Garry
Vicki Dean 18/8/2011 Great to hear from you Garry and thank you for persisting with the site. Arrived in Arusha today after a five hour bus trip with the locals, bus was packed with people - luggage chucked on top. Travelled through some desperately poor dusty country from Kenya to Tanzania. Saw impoverished Masai communities. Arusha jam packed with people, cars, buses. The lodge we are staying in is very basic however staff are terrific. Dinner consisted of 10 small dishes to try the local food which was very tasty, just hope we are not sick tomorrow. Tomorrow 19/9 is gear preparation day, also will meet the other hikers. So far at the Lodge, Henry and I look like the grandparents of the other guests here.
Kym Good to hear all is going well. I'm sure you and Henry will show up all of those youngsters on your walk!!
garry Hi Vic, Agree with Kym. Cant imagine many being fitter than you. Bazza's computer not working (he bought a lemon) so I'm giving he and grandma updates. This way grandma isn't hassling everyone to contact Interpol to establish your whereabouts each day. If they are swedes or dutch in your group trying to show off, Bazza suggests enquiring which side they were on. Jo flys to Europe this time next week. Me, Im going to work :--(
garry Nb Lindsay asks if Waddy Point Fraser island is on your itinerary. If so, he says he could meet you there. Otherwise, no chance.
Martin G'day Vicki, think your hiking now so hope all goes well. Please note updated email address. Don't know anything about protocol for blog - just searched your name and found this. So trust this works. Fantastic looking trip from itinerary. Look forward to hearing from you again.
garry Hi Vicki, Reported to your mum all is well and that Interpol can have the day off. Also the Crows won a game of footy-remarkable really.
Vicki Dean Hello everyone. Henry and I arrived safely back in Arusha yesterday having had the most exhausting hike of our lives. I made it to the summit of Mt Kili after 8 hours of relentlessly uphill hiking. The last 2.5 hours were through glacial scree which was like hiking through beach sand uphill. I was supposed to arrive at the scree before dawn so that it was frozen solid however was late so it had turned to soft rubble. The view from Stella Point was magic at 5700 mtres above sea level. The best part of the whole week was surfing through the scree on the way down, have never been so dirty in my whole life. Unfortunately Henry had to turn back half way up the mountain, had suffered with gut rot for the first few days and found himself dehydrated and unable to keep going due to exhaustion. Very disappointing given all the planning and hard work. We have three nights in Arusha which is comfortable, really enjoyed the hot shower last night - my hair took 4 goes of the shampoo to come good. Met some beaut people, our group consisted of 3 Aussies, father and son Dutchman, father and son Canadian, 1 Texan. The Texan had the most to say followed by the Canadians. The Dutch father had to turn back after the first day and the Canadians after the second day. Henry and I did not have altitude sickness. Have really enjoyed meeting the local Tanzanians who worked as guides and porters etc. We were told the guides were paid $US 7 per day, the porters something less than this. They rely on tips to top up their income. What a s***ty system - to work that hard and be paid so little. It took 35 Tanzanians to get us through the hike.After the 3 days in Arusha we are off on safari - ie lots of sitting in a jeep and eating. Sounds good to me. Thanks very much for your comments. Love, Vic
Rob Congrats Mum! Do you have any photos to upload?
Garry Will report to your mum that all is well and that Interpol can stand down. Trust you consoled Henry with a few rousing chorses of "share a bucket with a friend". Good of Rob to congratulate you. Working for a big firm, you'll appreciate he needs to charge by the word so handy he kept it to two short sentences.
Martin Congratulations Vicki a fantastic effort to get to top. Enjoy your safari - would love to see those wild animals up close take plenty of pictures. Jo in gay Paris now and having a great time too.
Garry Hi Vic, What's happening? Immediately Andrew Hilditch (SA) sacked as head Australian cricket selector, they win a test match. Go figure.
Garry Hey Vic, Monitoring this site is like watching cheese go mouldy. Where are all the photos, blogs, stories etc. And should we call Interpol?
Kym Yep, I think we're about due for a new update!! :)
garry hawthorne Hi Vic, should we consider asking Martin Sheen to reprise his role in Apocalypse Now and journey into the heart of darkness to find you? BTW St Kilda cruxified by umpires in elimination final against Sydney. Now no team left with much chance of stopping the 'Pies from making it 2/2.
John Griffith Congratulations Vicki and to Henry for what you achieved. Terrific preparation and a courageous climb in amazingly difficult conditions. I am in awe! Hope you enjoy a thoroughly relaxing wind-down for the rest of your trip. Chris D is coming around on Thursday night so I'll try to give you and update on Beth, who is home and doing OK. Best wishes - stay safe. John G.
Vicki Dean Hello everyone, Arrived back in Nairobi today having spent the last 3 weeks on safari staying in remote camps. I have been sending SMS to Tim via Henry and Helen's Iphones when we've been able. Sorry to have worried you unnecessarily. We've had a great time locating and identifying animals of many different species. Sam our last guide was full of knowledge across all species and made the days fun and very interesting. However we have probably had enough African massage for now (bumping around in the back of a four wheel drive!). I hope to load some photos up later on - there are only 2 computers in the hotel. The tipping drives you nuts - have to bear in mind that the staff are paid peanuts and relying on tips to top up their income. Peoplel race to grab your bag and before you know it you are tipping somebody else. We visited a Masai manyatta (compound). A subsistence life which revolves around cows and cow products. Henry and I joined in their dancing (to the best of our ability which wasn't great). I think some practice may be required. FYI Kenya is 8 hours behind Adelaide. We are off to Rome at midnight on 16 September. What a contrast that will be. Will need to get into gym as not possible to walk around the parks for fear of running into a lion, leopard, cheeta, hippo, rhino, hyena, jackal etc etc. However I will miss the wide open spaces of Tanzania and Kenya and friendly welcoming people. Helen had her birthday at Ashnil Tented camp on 13/9 - what a party. All the dining room staff came out in full chef regalia, singing, clapping, blowing horns to deliver the birthday cake to Helen. It was wonderful fun. Love to everyone at home and many thanks for best wishes. John, we will bore you for months with stories of adventures and misadventures.