31st January Day 7 Kilimanjaro climb

Today we were woken at the usual time with tea & washing water. We had our last breakfast together and began the long trek down off the mountain from Horombo to Marangu Gate. You will see from this picture that we are still well above the clouds at this point.

The route today was pretty, with lots of greenery. We saw lots of the Giant Lobelias

and walked for quite some time above the clouds

Gradually, there were more and more trees and we eventually entered the forest, which provided some welcome shade from the sun.

We reached the Marangu Gate and had some of these

Then we had the tipping ceremony for the crew, where Simon called each member up individually to thank them and we all cheered. Here he is with Alex.

A final picture with trekkers and the crew

We then drove to Moshi and stopped at a restaurant to have lunch with our Guides

The trekkers - we don't look to bad considering we have't seen a bath or shower for a week!

We drank plently of these

We then headed back towards Arusha. We were dropped off at Onsea with Ed and Julliet to wait for our car, so after saying goodbye to the other trekkers and the remaining crew, we had a beer and exchanged thoughts of what we would all be doing in Zanzibar soon. Once the car arrived we said goodbyes and headed off back to Songota Falls for one night before our safari. Joice had the water piping hot ready for us. We must have showered until the hot water ran out and we still felt dirty! With clean clothes on we sat down to dinner...the joy of china plates and glassware!! We then sat for a while with more Kilimanjaro beer and reflected on what we'd done whilst listening to the bush babies. I asked Simon whether he'd do it again and he said no. Therefore, if the failure to get to the summit sticks under my skin, then I am going to return alone.