The Climb: Day 2

Woke up to a beautiful sunrise today, and another unexpected surprise. They bring you tea or coffee to your tent in the morning for the wake up call. Couldn't ask for anything more.  So I forgot to add in the last post but the past couple days before the climb I had been waking up with a scratchy throat. So today I woke up to a full on cold glad, thankfully I brought lots of TP and some meds.

The Climb: Day 1

Well this is it, the first day of the climb. It still feels a little unreal to me that I’m about to spend six days trying to reach the top of the highest peak in Africa.
So we left the Keys hotel around 8:45 this morning and headed out to the Macheme gate where we will start the climb at 5600ft. So I’ve been hanging around Moshi (the closest town to the mtn.) for about a week now and the weather has been great. Talked to a bunch of people coming of the mtn. and everyone said that they had great weather. So of course an hour or two into the hike it starts raining, a pretty good down pour for about 2 hours. (Bring a poncho)

Christmas Eve in Africa

Well this is the first time I’m spending Christmas in another country. No regrets though, I’m with a lot of good people and am having a great time. Wow I thought that the people down in Central America that I saw were in poverty but it’s nothing like this. They told me the average income in Tanzania is somewhere around $5 a month. It’s hard for me to even comprehend how little the African people have. Yet everyone's extremely friendly and kind.

Jet Lag, Fried Chicken, and....

Made it to Tanzania

Well after two back to back eight hour flights and then a six hour shuttle I finally made it to Moshi in Tanzania where I will be starting the climb on the 26th. For now I’m just hanging out with some friends relaxing and enjoying the mountain looming in the background. I’m staying in this great house up on the side of the mountain, were my friend that used to live here is staying. It’s got to be one of the greatest locations ever. It’s up at 6000ft in this little village in the forest, great people very peaceful. We spend six says on the mountain so I get back on the 2nd and leave the next day for the safari. Not sure where I will be going after that. I’ve been asking around to try and find out what are some good options. More post to come.

Border Crossing

In Honduras
Crossed the border into Honduras at Copan last Wednesday, no problems there, it costs 10Q to leave Guatemala and $3 to enter Honduras. We stayed at the Via Via Hotel in Copan($14) very nice place. You get 2 beds private bath free water, great food there also. The town of Copan is also quite nice very small and even though it’s right by the ruins it doesn’t seem that touristy.

The Literal High Point

Got back yesterday from my hike up Tajumulco with Quetzaltrekkers. They are a volunteer organization that offers backpacking trips throughout the Guatemalan Highlands (www.quetzaltrekkers.com) to help raise money for Escuela de la Calle, a Xela based organization for at risk youth. They provide all gear, food, transportation, and guides.

Guatemala Highlands

Well I left Belize and headed to Tikal, Guatemala. Took me about half a day to make the trip from San Ignacio, with no problems at the border crossing, and then took a bus to El Remate where I caught a shuttle up to Tikal. I was able to string up my hammock at the Jaguar Inn, and they have lockers you can use (25Q). Went wandering around the ruins a bit that evening and saw lots of birds and Howler monkeys, for being so small they sure can make a lot of noise.

Barefoot in the Jungle

I spent one night in Dangriga at Ruthies cabana’s, 20 BL a night. I got up early the next morning and took a bus to Maya Center then got a taxi up to the Cockscomb Jaguar reserve. It’s a rather remote place with on electricity and unknown to me until I got there, no were to get food. So I spent 2 days camping in the jungle surviving on water and Sprite.

Island Life

Well after leaving Tulum, I made an easy crossing over the Mexico/Belize border and made it down to Belize City in the same day. 
I stayed at a nice called the Seaside hotel right on the bay, very friendly lady running the place. Got up early the next morning and taking the advice of the hotel took the Triple J water taxi instead of the instead of the more well know one. A good deal at 22BL for a round trip open ended ticket to Caye Caulker, they just don’t run as often as the taxi association. Found a cheap place to stay at Albert’s on the Caye, and shared a room with a girl I meet in Tulum, 21BL for a room with two beds, though the showers were crap no pressure what so ever. Good thing I have short hair because I think it took Kirstin about 30+ minutes to wash hers. The island is nice not really any beaches but it had a very laid back Caribbean feel. 

In Tulum

Well I made it into Piste about 10pm. Camped at a hotel that allows it in the back. I got up early and walked to Chichen Itza which is about a 1.5 km walk. The ruins were very impressive, hopefully I can post some pictures soon.

I stayed in Itza for about 3.5 hours then it got to crowded, and to hot. I caught a bus from Piste to Tulum with a change in Valladolid. I made it into Tulum about 4 yesterday, am staying at the Weary Travler Hostel. I found out thats there’s always a big party here on Sundays, yesterday being no different reggae party until 3am. I took the free shuttle down to the beach today to swim and lay around.
It leaves to hostel at 9:20 and returns at 4:20 other wise the only other way to get there is to hitch the 6 km or take a taxi.
Will write again when I get into Belize. I forgot I also went to Uxmal another set of ruins by Merida.

Merida

I left Isla Mujeres on Tuesday for Merida took a bus from Cancun which took 4 hours. I’m staying at the Nomadas hostel for 69 pesos a night, try and get a bed in the back dorm no street noise and good ventilation. First 2 days I spent wandering around the city working on my spanish and seeing the sites.
Today 4 of us went snorkling in some Cenotes
west of Merida, perfect day for it very hot out but nice and cool down in the sink holes. Saw shrimp,fish, and some old Mayan pottery under the water. Merida is a very nice city a little big for my tastes but cheap prices and good food(try Trapeche on calle 62). Bought my self a hammock yesterday for 170 pesos. If you ever come here don’t buy one from the street there are a few shops that specialize in hammocks and have very good prices. I’m heading to Piste tomorrow which is right next to Chichen Itza so I can get up early and see the ruins before to many people show up, its much cheaper on Sunday to visit the ruins about 50 pesos less. From there I will be heading down to tulum, not sure how long I’m going to stay have heard mixed reviews about it. Then it will be down to Belize. Until then, Chow…

Cancun

Finally started my trip, made it to Cancun yesterday but decided not to stay and caught the ferry over to Isla Muejeres. Not a bad little Isla much better than staying in Cancun got a place with two other people for $22 dollars a night. Not to bad for around here. I did stay at the POC-NA hostel the first night but it wasen’t all that the Lonely Planet said it was. Will be staying here for a couple more days before heading over to Merida. Sunset on Isla Mujeres.

Finally!!

Finished my last day of work on thursday night, picked-up my ticket to Cancun on friday. I only have 9 days left before I’m out of here. I’m a little nervous but I think thats to be expected.
“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”
Hunter S. Thompson