We were picked up and taken to the Coffee Lodge where we would join the other members of our trekking team. Ed and Juliet were staying there, so they were already waiting. From their kit of poles and boots etc it was obvious where they were going! so we introduced ourselves. The bus then came with the other trekkers - Kevin, Carol, Tony and Anne on board, together with a host of porters and guides. Our luggage was secured on the top of the bus along with everything else we would need, use or consume (eek) during the next 7 days.
We set off for our first stop, Marangu Gate, which took maybe 2 hours and a bit. We would not start our climb there, but would be completing the formalities (registration and paying the park fees etc). We had a toilet stop on the way which was a wierd nightclub with some very dodgy artwork! The toilets were also a little dodgy - in that we girls had to use the mens! I had psychologically and practically prepared myself for the Tanzanian toilet facilities and was never without my shewee, a plastic cup and a roll of loo paper!
At the Marangu gate whilst we waited for formalities I watched as all manner of mountain/trekking equipment was laid out and offered to new trekkers. Trekkers who see ill equipped porters will often donate expensive gear to them after their climb, but this is where it ends up, and it is sold on the cheap. So, my advice is not to donate an expensive jacket to a porter because he looks like he could use it, as it'll probably be sold at a fraction of what you paid for it and he'll still be going up the mountain in what you think is unsuitable clothing.
We then started the long journey round to the Rongai Route start point.After a while the road got really poor with dust flying up everywhere - with the porters switching to the back of the bus so they got it worst. There are significant roadworks going on along this route, which is a good thing, but hard work for the driver whilst its happening. The journey was briefly interupted when the bus stopped and a porter ran off to retreive something that had apparently fallen off the vehicle. With the state of the road we worried that it was a wheel or something! However, it was a plate and a bucket!
This is the start point at 2000 metres. We had lunch here before setting off at sometime after 2pm.
The trek from here is about 7km to Simba Camp at around 2635 metres. It was very hot but it was a lovely walk through forest and plantations with people working and children dashing in between us saying 'chocolate' !! I don't particularly tolerate heat but I was with the group and all was fine. When we arrived in camp all our tents were set up and the mess tent ready with popcorn and tea and coffee. Ali the cook was conjouring up his most famous dish of 'nothing much other than plantain' !! To be fair, we were served wonderful nosh during the trek considering the conditions but the plantain dish didn't prove to be a hit!!
Once darkness falls and food is done, there isn't a lot else to do, so we were all in bed early. At this low altitude it was still quite mild and (depite being told that there are no bites on Kili) I got bites everywhere and Ed had them too, so I would advise insect repellant for the first night and bring some anti-histamine tablets for if you do get bitten to stop the itch, which drove me made whilst walking the next day!
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