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Jambo bwana kilimanjaro5/6/2023 ![]() ![]() The utter peace and stillness I felt in that moment, even though I was about to do the hardest thing I’ve ever done, is something I’ll never forget. I was standing in line for the bathroom and I look to my left and see the silhouettes of people in the main tent chatting and getting ready for the trek, the peak of the mountain in the background, and the clear dark sky above me. One image that’ll never leave my mind is on the evening of summit night. There were definitely moments of high energy and excitement throughout the trip, but then there were often moments of absolute quiet and serenity. The lyrics are very simple and the tune is a catchy one! I hope you enjoy it as much as me.What I learned: Climbing Kilimanjaro is like a form of meditation.sort of I heard it many times in East Africa and below is just one version. ![]() Video by JaneĪlthough the Kenyan hotel band Them Mushrooms released the song Jambo Bwana, in 1982, the song, written by band leader Teddy Kalanda Harrison in 1980, remains widely popular in Kenya and Tanzania. Watching the thousands of wildebeest crashing across the rivers an incredible sight but it’s always the people of Africa that once again have found a special place in my heart. I didn’t buy any souvenirs I left with African dust in my nose and eyes, lots of photos and images in my mind of so much wildlife. I can’t think of a more fitting way to end my trip in Africa. Their coats are quite soft and I could closely admire those long, long eye lashes. The male tends to head butt if you turn away! It was a joy though to feed the gentle females, enjoying delicious alfalfa pellets I placed on their very long tongues! I worried all the visitors would lead to over feeding but these are mere snacks to the amount of food they need daily, which is carefully monitored. I saw a one-day old and one-month old giraffe while I was there - so cute. Funding by various organisations allows breeding under controlled conditions and healthy animals are released into the relative safety of several game parks.Īround 12 giraffes are kept at the centre at any one time - a breeding male, several Mums or Mums-to-be and young ones. This is a breeding and conservation centre, founded in 1979 by Americans Jock and Betty Leslie-Melville, after discovering the sad plight of the Rothschild Giraffe, endangered due to loss of habitat. The final delight though was visiting the Giraffe Centre, where I could hand feed these gentle giants. ![]() Currently they have just enough work for 30, but they hope to return to a full complement of 300 soon. A sign advertises going to school in Australia - a dream so many hope for and for those of us that call Australia home get to live it every day! Photos: JaneĪfter lunch, Francis my guide, took me to the Kazuri Workshop where local ladies make colourful beaded jewellery, they have huge smiles and happy to be working again as covid decimated their business and livelihood. Roadside stalls offer colourful paintings and souvenirs. Masses of animals replaced with masses of people, beaten up old cars and so much traffic on the main roads, slow enough to allow vendors to tout their wares - drivers spot what they want, negotiate a price - cash and goods change hands - both are happy. From the Mara I took a flight to the chaotic city of Nairobi - what a contrast. ![]()
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