Tanzania - Karatu and Arusha

Friday 14th April 

We left the park and headed for Karatu, stopping for a coffee at Bougainvillea lodge.

We stopped at the clinic which was too full, so we went to the pharmacy for flu tables for Maretha.

Sweet picture on the wall 

Maretha, Kiki (from Ndutu) and I had lunch at Marera before heading to our beautiful Airbnb.

And it's beautiful. My suite is so luxurious!

View from my balcony 

The flowers are so beautiful in Reggie's garden.

We had drinks and dinner with Colin and Laura and I forgot to get their photo.

Saturday 15th April - back to Arusha

I woke to a lovely rainy morning, so made myself some coffee and read in bed.

Then swam 20 lengths!!

Look at Reggie's bananas and papaya.

Papaya

Banana

Junior collected us and drove us to Arusha.

We stayed at Villa Maua

Maretha and I walked around Arusha doing chores and shopping.

For dinner we walked to a currie restaurant called "Tandoor Gardens".

Sunday 16th April - USA River

Today we go to Paul and Erica who live in USA River, which is between Arusha and Kilimanjaro airport. Our final stop.

We first had breakfast and checked out.

USA river is the posh part of Arusha and you can see why. Lovely and green with large properties.

Paul opened the gate for us and I was blown away how beautiful Twiga (giraffe) lodge is!

It reminds me of a beautiful English country home but in Africa.

Beautiful Twiga lodge

After tea and coffee I went for a quick run, checking out the entrance to Arusha paek. The lodge is right next to it, so I had to be careful not to run into an elephant.

Maretha marinated some fillet while Paul was making a fire to braai.  

Sweet braai place.

Preparing lunch

Thor and Sarah joined us, then Steven and Cynthia as well as Bwana. 

Some of us partied until nearly 2h00 😂

Monday 17th April - Twiga (giraffe) lodge, USA River

We spent the day relaxing. 

View from my bedroom 

Maretha and I went to the school next door where she thought the 4 students who spent a week at Ndutu were. The pastor and principal looked like a good man who told us of the funding issues they have being a privately school with no governance funding. How hard it is to turn away a clever child who's parents can no longer afford to pay. He also showed us the large telescope they had been donated with a special room where the roof slides open. Was impressive.

Paul showed me around their garden and up the viewing deck.  Their avo tree's were dripping with avos!

Avo tree on left 

Can't get enough of this beautiful garden and home

In the afternoon I read and snoozed on the viewing deck.

Pic taken from outside when driving away next day

Looking into Arusha national park 

Maretha and I had konyagi (local gin) and tonic on the viewing deck. Some guys drove past on a motorbike carrying a car engine.

We saw a tiny kitten follow a man up the road. I wanted of course to go rescue it 😔

We had a lovely dinner with Paul and Erica before having an early night, listening to the rain on the roof.

Tuesday 18th April - Leaving Tanzamia

I had planned to go for a run but woke to solid rain so had a lovely excuse to stay in bed and update this blog.

We said goodbye's to Paul and Erica.

Colobus monkey statue at Arusha park gate.

Junior fetched us at 10 and we drove to Seb, a friend of Maretha's in Moshe where had lunch.

Markets we passed on the way

It rained on the ride back to the airport.  We cleared bag checks and passport control without issue and Maretha is shopping while I update this blog. 

I didn't see Kilimanjaro because of the weather

Oh my word, the cloud formations were just so beautiful.

I was enthralled

Arrived at Addis at 8 in the evening.

I liked this guys bag.

Said my goodbyes to Maretha who is onwards to Joburg.

There was a queue for the hotel vouchers and I smiled at the guy when I got there and asked if this was a nice hotel. I'll change you to Skylight he said and called to the next desk who then changed my hotel. Oh wow. What a luck and so grateful to that guy!!

My fancy room

Bathroom from the bedroom 

Great hotel!! I understand it's owned by Ethiopian Airlines and it's nice and close to the airport, unlike the grotty hotel I had on the way here.

I had salads at the buffet and now off to sleep while watching a bit of BBC News.

Wednesday 19th April - Leaving Tanzamia

Eurgh, slept so badly. Had a headache and felt a bit quezy and was so worried I would be too sick to fly home. Silly. Alarm and wake up call at 5:30. Could only stomach a coffee and piece of watermelon. How were all these people eating massive breakfasts at 5:30 😳

I was the nerd... First person waiting for the 6 o clock bus - I needed to get home to my family, human and fury ❤️

Groggy nerd waiting for airport bus

Nice and close to airport.

Everything thing including my shoes and watch were scanned twice, but got to gate with lots of spare time.

Next stop Cape Town ✈️🥂🐶🐱💜