Bucket list

After reading this blog, you might be surprised at some of my top bucket list entries.  I have to consider these things now; I am nearly fifty and have died five times already, and that's just in this lifetime.

Firstly, as i type this on a candlelit terrace over the Indian Ocean, pleasantly alone and calm except for the only other table in this posh rooftop restaurant: two girls in high slavic fashion, me in comfortable gray hugo boss size 31 pants, boss bifocal eye glasses, a soft thin blue Zara top and surprisingly chic discrete acacia nut necklace- listening to the waves lap on the beach below our fortress, the other hotel folks down below having ho-tel dinners, to the side, a bottle of South African pinotage- good not great but great with the food- then prawn and spice amuse bouche, spicey lobster bisque, local indian ocean sea bass ceviche, then a seafood medley with serious spice sauce.  This is perfect living- even for just us$50- but that is not on the bucket list.

Lobster, crab, fish, 

Indian Ocean sea bass ceviche

I have always wanted to gaze upon Kilimanjaro.  On my bucket list. So here goes.  

Hurry up to wait, mate, it's Africa- or maybe it's just travel on general.  Mick, Elaine and i had a long sleepy early drive to make a 330p flight from Arusha.  A few cheesy souvernir shops, found a few new birds, but mostly us three asleep and Mmbaga drinking coffee and driving.

The airline changed the timetable an hour back some time ago, but no one bothered to check.  It's Africa, mate.   So I used my MBA skills to round up a pack of cards- and some nice sarongs- and she and I played kings in the corners with a local black boy on some dilapidated airport chairs, mine without a back, which made our site into a love seat.  Can't believe I didnt capture this lovely moment on film, but it just happened.

Playing cards I bought to pass the two hours until flight and keep Elaine's and my keyed up minds going, and bored shop worker Prosper's too.  They teach Swahili and about African wildlife at the same time.

Thank Buddha the Aricept was kicking, and I had marched into the dingy airline office and got myself a window seat in front of my travel mates.  On the mountain view side.

While we waited an hour at the post security waiting area- just one gate in the airport, i saw our plane land.  oh, my, and decided to advance plan and take a pee.  they had searched every nook and cranny on the way in, so i didnt bring anything with me but my phone, passport and ticket, out of security and took a wee.  the plane was so loud near the gate, and i was the only passenger left, so when my ariticial hips bleeped the machine, the guard on his iphone never noticed, and i walked through, grabbged my items, and was NEVER checked even though i have a few giant titanium rods in me.

She surprised me suddenly, hovering above the clouds, which probably ranged from 2500m to 3500m.  there was a lot left on top.  Kilamanjaro.  Huge and pretty and interesting.  With a mini volcano to the side.  I Just love the Great Rift Valley.

Ok, check that one off.  Need to see Machu Pichu now.

Back in the real world, out of her allure, we are now two hours late.  The single airport ATM worked, my driver waiting patiently, but my over the top gorgeous hotel put me in a room with two tiny unmade twin beds, told me to go ahead and shower while they fixed; and half-naked and barefoot, they moved my unpacked luggage next door into a defective room, and then moved me down the hall onto the set of Downton Abbey with five staff scurrying about to prep Mr Main's room right.  So my 4pm arrival turned into 8pm, but I will just push tomorrow morning out and tour Stonetown after brekkie and a swim then head north to the beach in the arvo.

Plate of sweet jasmine by bedside 

For once, I had no problem sleeping until 630am.  I did get up to restart my upload at 3am and guzzle a bottle of water, but back to bed.  At 3am I woke from a dream about some sort of sales bonus trip at a nice hotel like this (safari mate Elaine sells rio grande aloe products for an Herballife-like company).  I realized these wild dreams every night are not just from the constant stimulation.but also from the malaria drugs!

African brekkie, superb, included in room.  Now I begin my two meal a day routine, free brekkie at which I gorge myself and then big fish dinner and loads of wine or vodka.  It's Only way to keep a 31 waist for six weeks on the road without restricting myself.  ANSI am probably a 32 by the way with Hugo boss trousers fit now.  Off to swim, use theraband, and do tai chi before 1115am visit from posh Muslim tour coordinator on my terrace