Photos from the trip

Happy Holidays! We're spending ours with family in the US. Below are the links to the photos from our travels.

1. Australia
2. New Zealand
3. Singapore
4. Istanbul
5. Egypt
6. Tanzania: Kilimanjaro
7. Tanzania: Safari

Kilimanjaro -> Nairobi -> Istanbul -> Chicago

On the last mile of our journey. Thankful for long layovers after a broken cargo door on our flight to Nairobi delayed our flight. Red eye to Istanbul and 5 security checks later we're ready to get on the plane.

Tanzania: Safari Day 5 (Ngorongoro Crater)

Started out at about 6am for a morning in the Ngorongoro crater, which is a 600 meter descent from the rim's edge. Because of the number of visitors and the relatively small size inside the crater, each vehicle is only allowed to remain in the crater for 6 hours. Amazing density of wildlife that mainly remains full time inside the crater's natural boundary. Saw our first Black Rhinos and Cheetah today.

Tanzania: Safari Day 4

Finished out the Serengeti with a bang. Just as we were leaving, our guide spotted a male lion. As we approached, we found there were 3 cubs and the mother as well. Our safari timing also affords us the experience of seeing the beginning of the migration of the wildebeests.

Tanzania: Safari Day 2.5 and 3 (Serengeti)

Touring the Serengeti and it feels like we're in a National Geographic film. Amazing variety and absolutely expansive space. Another half day here then heading to Ngorongoro Crater.

Tanzania: Safari Day 2 (Bush Tribe)

Spent the morning with a bush tribe experiencing their hunting and gathering techniques. These people (Hadza people) continue to live as they have for millennia. An eye opening experience.

Tanzania: Safari Day 1

Began our safari today and had a good start in seeing some wildlife. Over the next few days we'll be covering the major spots and also visiting a bush tribe.

Tanzania: Kili Day 7

Descended to Horombo via the "Coca Cola" (Marangu) route. Packed up and headed out for burgers with the guides and crew and (hopefully) a warm shower at the hotel.

Tanzania: Kili Day 6 (Summit day)

We successfully reached the summit today. Woke up at 11pm on Friday for a midnight departure for the summit. The climb included a relatively steep ascent (3.4 km distance with a 1.2 km vertical gain) to the crater rim, and then a snowy walk on a narrow path around the rim. The total climb (excluding descent and the 9.4 km hike afterwards to the campsite) took 7 hours.

Tanzania: Day 5 (Basecamp)

Climbed to base camp today (15,500 ft / 4,700 meters). If all goes as planned we will be sumitting by sunrise tomorrow (Sat.) morning. We will leave base camp at midnight tonight.

Tanzania: Kili Day 4

Sunny weather after a pretty rainy and snowy couple of days. Camping at 12,500 ft tonight in view of the summit tomorrow we move to base camp.

Tanzania: Kili Day 3

Shorter but steeper climb today, accented by some snow. We're camping at 13,800 feet and depending on conditions we will go for an afternoon acclimitization climb.

Track our progress on http://www.teamkilimanjaro.com/blog and look for "Joshua" (our lead guide).
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Tanzania: Kili Day 2

Climbed up to 12,000 feet today and camping here tonight. Above is a picture of our meal tent. Rained today right before reaching camp - not so pleasant, but warm and dry now.

Tanzania: Kili Day 1

Good hike out to our first campsite. Relatively short day. Camping at 2635 meters (8625 feet) tonight. Big day tomorrow

Tanzania: Kilimanjaro

After a red-eye flight and a puddle jumper from Egypt, we landed at Kilimanjaro airport. Got a glimpse of the massive mountain base on the way in (unfortunately the top covered in clouds). Met up with our lead guide and taking off first thing in the morning.

Egypt: Cairo

On our last day in Egypt we toured Cairo.  In the morning we saw Coptic Cairo and the Hanging Church (it hangs between two towers from a Roman fortress), which is the oldest Christian church in Egypt and has a palm tree said to have been planted by the Virgin Mary.  Then we headed to the Citadel and saw the Mosque of Mohammad Ali, which also boasts a stunning view of Cairo and the Pyramids.  Finally, before heading to the airport, we grabbed a traditional Egyptian meal of Koshari - rice, pasta, lentils, chickpeas and spicy, garlicy tomato sauce.  

Egypt: Walk like an Egyptian

The Saqqara pyramids - First and oldest pyramids

Making Papyrus

The largest pyramid in Egypt (originally 146 meters tall)

Today we visited the Pyramids! First up was the oldest pyramid at Saqqara - a step pyramid built around 5,000 years ago. After Saqqara we learned to make papyrus, and then soldiered on to the Great Pyramid (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world). We rounded out our day by catching a camel ride overlooking the pyramids and visiting the Sphinx.

Egypt: Giza

View from our hotel room in Giza. The ride to the hotel was interesting to say the least and going down to dinner we found a camel standing out by the pool (with his owner eagerly waiting to have tourists take pictures with him).

Turkey: Turkish Delight

Topkopi Palace

Egyptian Market / Spice Bazaar

Turkish Delight

Visited the Topkapi Palace today then joined a food tour through the spice markets, ferried to the Asian side of Istanbul where we stopped at several shops tasting their cuisine (including Turkish Delight). The tour culminated in a tasting of 23 different dishes at a traditional Turkish restaurant.

Turkey: Istanbul

The Blue Mosque

Inside the Hagia Sophia

The Grand Bazaar (largest covered bazaar in the world)

Lunch

Galata Tower

Süleymaniye Mosque

Lots of walking around Istanbul today to see the sights. Great turkish food and impressive architecture. A song we cannot get out of our heads .... Istanbul (Not Constantinople)

Dubai

Singapore: Four Seasons Brunch

Had an amazing brunch with friends at the Four Seasons Hotel.  Full-on buffet.....

Singapore: Chinatown, Sentosa and Little India

Explored Chinatown today, took a cable car ride out to Sentosa (a reclaimed land island that is like Disney) and went to Little India for dinner and a haircut. The haircut was old school and included a finish with a straight razor.