In the Beginning …

How do we even begin to express the joy of being on a safari? But beginnings have a beginning and ours started on the KLM flight to Amsterdam connecting to Kilimanjaro! Why would that be memorable? The weather, the captain of our flight and the life of Brian.

The lady in the seat in front of me who lives half the year in the San Francisco Bay Area and half in Amsterdam had her very large white Golden Retriever in the hold to head back to Amsterdam. The Captain told her it simply wouldn’t work as the landing in Amsterdam would be very difficult. Little did we know!

Our connection was only 50 minutes in Amsterdam but we knew the flight would wait if we were able to make it to the terminal. We were so happy that the Captain came back before we took off and said we had an honorary Service Dog who would be with all of us in the cabin. Brian moved to 6A and was right past a very useful toilet. He was a joy to pet after taking a trip to the toilet . The overnight flight flew by.

As we approached the airport for landing the winds buffeted the plane – right – left – up and down. Slowly we descended toward the runway and found ourselves rising once again in the air to go around. The Captain said, “Don’t worry the winds were too strong for this landing and we have enough fuel to try two more times. ” Oh great, two more shots. The bumpy ride continued but during the next pass the Captain did a great job of getting the big ol’ beast down.

Great – now to figure out our gate and “run” to our next flight. From leaving San Francisco to landing in Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport the potential gate change numerous times. The current gate was the end of D at 57 – they couldn’t have gotten us any further from our next flight! We were flying out of F 9. Oh Joy. However as we awaited leaving the plane we realized the hurricane force winds were still buffeting our massive plane. Geez Louise! No wonder there were issues landing. A flight attendant made sure Larkin had a barf bag and told us “no worries your next flight will be delayed too!”

As a family we have started practicing the ultimate way to travel – carry on! The three of us each had a backpack and rollaboard. Thank goodness!

We hiked our gear back down D past E to the end of F. On the way we passed Brian and his mate so happy to be in the terminal and not locked in the plane’s hold. When we arrived at F9 a packed gate awaited us. The announcements when they did come included, “We’re sorry your plane will leave late without anyone’s luggage. No luggage can leave any plane that landed and obviously cannot be loaded on our plane. The weather and winds are just too strong but we can take off no problem. We will get you to Kilimanjaro and deliver your luggage to you as soon as we can get it to Tanzania.” Or thereabouts!

We met Maureen and saw Jill on the plane and realized they were part of our Safari group. The flight to Kilimanjaro was uneventful albeit late. When we arrived warmth, moist air and the requisite lateral flow covid test awaited us. We all tested negative, headed through customs and passport check and awaited Diana the gatherer of safari souls. It took a few moments but I realized the tall sister in law of Diana was a brunette and I recognized the Wildlife Explorer Hat on her backpack. Within minutes we were all tucked in together in Land Cruisers heading the hour and a half to Olerai in Arusha. Three with and three without luggage.

A family from Novato here in Marin County and Larkin’s to be roommate Jess from Oregon missed all the connections to Amsterdam in the US so our dinner was minus 5 safarists. We were blessed in many ways. Carry on luggage and flights that connected. Our wayward five travelers arrived 36 hours later some with and some without luggage. Go figure.

The rag tag luggage less group that did arrive on time spent part of day two finding clothes that might work as they awaited luggage. We also were driven in the Land Cruisers to Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge, a lodge that used to be the wayside lodge before safaris instead of Olerai and Wildlife Safari in Arusha. At the Mountain Lodge we enjoyed a tour, black and white monkeys and a great lunch.

Shoes in a cart. Do they have your size? Art work, sculpture and Tanzanite for Larkin at the Cultural Center – we’d head back to pick up Larkin’s tanzanite ring she’s always wanted to buy for herself at the end of the safari when we’re back in Arusha!

Our Serengeti experience started the next afternoon. Our five lost souls KLM flight arrived about 7:30 am the second morning in Kilimanjaro, then they had the drive to Arusha so our private flight was moved to a 3 pm take off after another wonderful lunch. The animal adventure was to begin. Bug spray check. Sun screen check. Netting over beds check. More to Come!