Thursday and Friday, October 20 and 21, 2016 (Travel to Arusha, Tanzania)

After an absolutely incredible four weeks, we are back...and it's time to get to work on documenting and sharing our travels (and a lot of pictures). This morning (November 18), we were up just before 4:30 a.m. as we wrestle with the dreaded "jet lag"...and I got right to the task of downloading pictures from three cameras (Steve's 'DSL', our small 'Olympus Tough' and my cell phone). We ended up with a total of 3,520 pictures...time to get to work Steve! We plan on updating our blog "bit by bit" as Steve edits the pictures. So...the story begins...enjoy and stay tuned!

We were up bright and early Thursday morning and with suitcases loaded in Chris' car, we were off. It worked out well...he dropped us off at Vancouver International Airport and still managed to be at work by 8:20.

After checking in, and going through security, it was time for a nice leisurely breakfast at a restaurant near our gate.

Our plane being wheeled over to the gate...

Before we knew it, we were up in the air and off to Calgary to meet up with the tour group.
Leaving the Canadian Rockies...

Nearing Calgary, Bow River below...

Gordon and Esther (Steve's uncle and aunt) are leading the tour to Africa. They arrived from Edmonton shortly after us. About half of the group (of 24) had left last Tuesday and would be meeting us in Amsterdam...smart idea breaking up the two very long flights we have ahead of us!

We met those who would be travelling with us from Calgary...and since we had a little time before our flight to Amsterdam took off, we headed to the Molson Brew House for a beer and/or snack. Left to right, around the tables...Esther, Gordon, Joe, Alan, Byron, Betty, Steve and me...

Then it was time to board our KLM flight to Amsterdam for the next leg of our journey to Tanzania. That flight was just shy of 9 hours. After a short layover...and meeting the rest of the tour group members, we were back on another KLM flight for the final leg of our trip...and another 9 hours in the  air!

Amsterdam area...

Austrian Alps...

Above and below Egypt...that's one big sand box!

Angry looking sky as we near our destination...

Somewhat bedraggled...sure wish we'd been able to sleep on the plane...we landed at Kilimanjaro Airport in Arusha, Tanzania. That's our plane as we disembarked and walked into the 'terminal' to obtain our travel visas ($30 US each) and clear customs...a total of 3 different LONG lines that we had to go through.

But we all finally made it through, gathered our luggage (which had made it with us all the way from Vancouver...whew!) and were met by our guides who escorted us into four Land Cruisers and delivered us to Lake Duluti Lodge. It was after 8:00 p.m., October 21, local time (10 hours ahead of Vancouver).

We were greeted by staff with warm facecloths to wash...and taken into the lodge where they had a light snack waiting for us. Marjorie, Larry, Brian, Jean and Joann....with Anne, Joan, Betty, Joe, Donna and Linda at the far table...

Yup...looking somewhat bedraggled...but very happy to be here!

Annette's back to camera, Esther, me, Gordon, Joyce, Barb and Marianne...

Then the moment we were all waiting for...room assignments, keys and escorts to our rooms. Very nice!

With the long walk to our rooms, I can hardly wait to see what the place looks like in the daylight! But for now, a good night's sleep was in order....