He echoed the messages we've been getting from Peandaeli, the head guide. Everyone is doing well. Even Tom, who is hiking with an injured knee is holding up well. And the weather has been wonderful with stunning clear views.
The head guide has been measuring each person's oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter and so far the acclimatization process is working as everyone is in a good range. More than that though, they are having fun! Gary said the group has bonded nicely and people who didn't know each other before the trek began have been discovering connections they have in common.
Gary said that the group had separated into the rabbits and the frogs… Frogs? The line wasn't great so I couldn't be sure I heard him correctly. I tried to clarify whether he meant rabbits and tortoises or rabbits and frogs… But I couldn't hear his reply. So it's entirely possible there are no tortoises at all, but rather frogs. Hmm.
Gary was extremely complimentary about the food (in particular the soups have been a hit) and the organization of the guides and staff. He said the group definitely feels well looked after. And he mentioned that their waiter could have an alternate career as a stand-up comic.
This comes after a day of relatively easy hiking and being at a lower elevation than the previous two camps. Tomorrow things ratchet up notch with a 4-6 hour trek into the highland desert, camping at good thousand feet higher than any campsite so far. Stay tuned for tomorrow's update.
For some reason I have no photos of Kikelewa Caves Camp or the surrounding area. Below are a couple of photos of fauna and flora found trailside on Kilimanjaro.
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| A chameleon doing its best to look like a dead branch. A chameleon would be a good slow animal to use instead of the proverbial tortoise. The antelopes and chameleons? |
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| A lobelia plant. Gorgeous color. |
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