Arusha, Tanzania: Seeing Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

15MAR08 Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

So, another exception from the journey and a mention of the destination.

I saw Mount Kilimanjaro today! It was fantastic and difficult to explain. There I was standing on the side of the road to Moshe from Arusha (this is the road to the airport). It is raining buckets on one side of the road and in front of me you can see the Mount Kilimanjaro mountain range before in all its glory. To my left were Maasai women and young girls gathering wood for fire. You cannot write this story.


A closer look at the snow capped peak; yup snow in the Tropics! Well at 19,000'+ that is what happens at any lattitude. Kilimanjaro is about 3.5 degrees south of the Equator.

Rain on the right side away from the mountain range.

Maasi women gather wood.

A look at the peak from far away.

Anoter look far away.

A look at the mountain range.

Another look at the mountain range.

Arusha, Tanzania: Arriving in Kilimanjaro International, Kilimanjaro Tanzania (JRO)

14MAR08 Kilimanjaro International, Kilimanjaro Tanzania (JRO)

We touched down at 8:30p local time softly, but screeched to a halt as the pilot slowed very quickly. There was a delayed clap from the front of the plane to the back. The flight attendant then welcomed us to Kilimanjaro. She also advised that the customers who are going to Dar es Salaam (DAR) should stay on board as the turn was in 45 minutes. She did advise that no pictures are allowed at the airport; bummer I thought.

Once at the hard stand, we were able to leave via the front and the back doors. It was neat to see everyone come off the plane it was like a mass exodus; you feel like you've flown...

Inside the terminal; O.K. the little terminal, there was a Visa line in addition to the normal lines to enter the country.

For U.S. citizens, there is a 100 USD charge for the visa and a 50 EUR charge for EU countries. The kicker is that if you are from the U.S. and have Euros, you have to pay 100 EURs or go get it changed at the exchange place just behind the visa office. I had a combination of USD, EUR, GBP and CAD. I got the EUR changed to USD and got exactly 100 USD which I used to pay my visa fee and got my multiple entry stamp.

Arusha, Tanzania: In Amsterdam Schipol International, Amsterdam Netherlands (AMS)

14MAR08 Amsterdam Schipol International, Amsterdam Netherlands (AMS)

It is March 14, 2008 now and I am awaiting my 10:20a flight to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (JRO). I was able to access the KLM Crown Lounge using my Presidents Club card as well as my boarding pass for the flight.

In the Crown Lounge, you can access the Internet for free 30 minutes at a time either by using your Ethernet cable or a public terminal. If you wish to have wireless access there is a 16 EUR charge for 24 hours.

An announcement was just made about a passenger who lost his book. The word "misses" was used instead; it is always interested to hear how the English language is translated when you are abroad.

I wil leave here in a bit as boarding is at 9:05a.

Arusha, Tanzania: Arriving at Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

On the bus to the terminal, I was talking to a lady who was going to a city that is between Lima and Cuzco Peru. I can't remember the name, but she says it is 20 minutes by plane and 10 hours driving! That area is very mountainous and she says the town is between two mountains; I thought that was an interesting random meeting.

At the terminal, I cleared security without issues; but there would have been had this guy put his baby's stroller in the x-ray unit!

I headed for the Presidents Club while my colleague headed to his gate for his flight to Seattle/Tacoma, WA (SEA).

The Club was packed! I got some reading material, some refreshments and then headed to the gate at about 3:00p.

I arrived at the gate at about 3:05p and there was a crowd there. I was not sure what it was so I stood on one of the lines that was there. After a while, I asked the agent if he had cleared the standbys and he told me to go talk to another agent. I continued to wait until I overheard another agent saying that they had unseated me; oops…I stepped forward and advised that I was here and got my BusinessFirst seat back. I told him that I had asked the other agent about a seat and he told me to wait. He said, no issue and handed me my boarding pass after checking my passport.

It was now 3:10p, I presented my boarding to the agent who had sent me away before and he apologized saying he was had not know which flight I was on. He thought I as on the London flight. Yet another agent scanned my boarding pass and then I was good to go. As I walked down the walkway, I got a clear view of the Boeing 767-200 that would take me across the northeastern U.S., across the Atlantic Ocean and then to Amsterdam, the first stop on my trip.

Arusha, Tanzania: Off to Arusha, Tanzania

Well, the decision is made, I will attempt to get to Arusha to see my college bud who is there for a meeting.

I was ready to take the bus to the airport when I found out that a colleague was also going to the airport to catch a flight to Seattle, WA. I hitched a ride and arrived at the airport in good time as there was no traffic.

Space Shuttle Endeavour: Leaving Orlando, FL (MCO)

11MAR08 Titusville, FL

When all was said and done, we departed Titusville, FL at about 4:00a. We spent the next few minutes trying to get down from the high of the moment we just experienced; wow is really all we could say.

We encountered on 95 South at State Road 407, so we went further down to the intersection of 528 and US95. It was smooth sailing from this point until we got to the toll road. Traffic was snarled as everyone had to stop and pay. It was not bad though as they had about eight lanes open and one EPass lane.

We cleared that and headed for SR436 so we could get gas. We stopped at the first station and the price was $4.50 per gallon, good grief we though. We had seen it for $3.50 in Titusville! A lady told us that it was not much less at the next station. The prices are high she said as we are this close to the airport.

We filled up at a price of $18.97 and headed for the airport; it was now 5:05a.

11MAR08 Orlando International, Orlando FL (MCO)
We dropped off the car at the end of a long line. I'm sure that there must be others who were coming from the launch as well. I was shocked to see that many cars there.

Inside the terminal we checked and cleared security without incident and then headed to the gate for a seat. One by one we were seated. we noticed a charging table and a family had their beverages there on the table where the equipment should go. Good grief people, don't you know that the little table is for the electronic equipment?

We charged up our computers as well as checked work e-mail, etc. As we sat, we saw a CNN clip on the TV about the launch. It is just not the same at all. Four guys in the next row looked over and we realized they had seen the launch as well based on their comments. I actually recognized one of them as one my colleagues and said hello and reminisced as well. They had taken that 8:50p flight in last night.

As I looked around, I noticed that the airport was under construction; this is an old terminal; ATA (TZ) used to use it many years ago. Looks like they are just making it nicer inside. It is long overdue.

It was soon time to board after First Class, Elite members, kids under 4 and parents plus anyone who needs extra time. The Boeing 757-300 awaits. I wonder if it is the same one as last night?

Space Shuttle Endeavour: The launch in pictures

So remember that this blog is about the journey, but again, here is an event that occurred after a journey that warrants mentioning...

This is the sight from about 4 miles away across a huge lake/swamp that surrounds the Kennedy Space Center.

The VAB (Vehicle Assembly Building)

People are bored so they use generators to place lights in the water to attract the fish, and the fish do come.




Burger King was the only eatery in town open at the time. Titusville was closed down except for here and the CVS across the street.

Some of the spectators. It was very packed and people just kept coming. The crowd picked up after midight.

So when the Shuttle goes at night, night turns into day for a few seconds; it is really unreal.

Lift off of Endeavour



So there was this cloud just sitting over the launch pad and the spaceship just disappeared into it. The crowd was upset, as was I, but it was fantastic to see nonetheless.



Mass exedous.

No one likes to wait

Look what waiting brings...

Space Shuttle Endeavour: Arriving in Orlando, FL (MCO)

We disembarked and headed for the shuttle to the main terminal. Orlando has these pods at each corner at the airport where you board your flight.

They have free WiFi throughout the airport, but it really only worked when you were in the pod. Once in the main terminal, it died.

We then went to get our car rental for the journey to Cape Canaveral. We figured, we would go by Titusville, FL as it was the closest we could get without getting on the Cape Canaveral property.

This is the area we were headed.

Space Shuttle Endeavour: Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH) to Orlando International, Orlando, FL (MCO)

CO1586 10MAR08 Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH) to Orlando International, Orlando FL (MCO) 7:20p 10:36p 753 N??855

Flight Time: 1:41
Seat Map

There were no greeters on the plane and no lines in the jetway nor the aisle of the plane. We were boarding just behind the 2-2 configured leather 24 leather seats in First class. On the right, is the Economy class cabin in its 3-3- configuration of cloth seats separated by a single aisle. The Economy class section is so long that it has two cabins separated by the lavatories. There are no lavatories at the rear of the aircraft.

I found my window seat and eased in after stowing my jacket in the overhead bin. Unfortunately, after I had settled I needed to use the lavatory, so I had to have the two passengers next to me let me out.

At 7:03p while I was visiting the lav, the pilot came on the PA and announced that our flying time was 1:41 and that the flight attendants should remain seated for a while after takeoff until we clear the weather around the airport. Great, that means buckle up everyone, this will be a bumpy takeoff.

At 7:18p, the doors closed and the lead attendant made an announcement to prepared the doors and prepare for the all call. The doors were open again at 7:21p and one passenger stepped onboard. Four minutes later it was closed again behind the gate agent and two minutes, later, we pushed back. As we did, the overhead monitors dropped down and the safety video started playing.

As we continued our pushback, the left engine started. Once we were under our own power, we headed for runway 15L.

We took to the runway at 7:43p, but sat there until 7:49p; the Captain came on and said that we were waiting for traffic to clear, within a minute after that announcement, we made it down the runway and was airborne in no time.

As we tookoff, there was no bump at all as was expected which was a good thing. The flight attendant made an announcement welcoming us onboard and advising that we will get valuable OnePass frequent flyer miles for the flight and that beer, wine and margarita was 5 USD and headsets were 1 USD or we can use our own to watch the Continental Vision entertainment.

At 8:08p, a flight attendant came around with headsets for a 1 USD. This was for watching the overhead monitors that would show TV shorts.

Two packs of peanuts were handed out to each passenger at 8:11p. The flight attendant kept saying “peanuts’ with an emphasis on the “s” at the end throughout the cabin. Good thing I had some crackers and cheese in the Presidents Club as this is a no meal flight. She actually ran out as she got to me and went to get some more.

The overhead monitors came down and there was a comedy/sitcom being rewound. The programs started shortly after with ‘The Drew Carey Show” first.

It was 8:30p when the drink cart came. I was having a headache and asked for an aspirin or some kind of pain killer. The flight attendant said that he did not have anything with him, but would check the packet in the forward galley. He also checked with the other agent who was serving. She had none either. He also said I should remind him later to check as he would forget.

The headache still continued and I fell asleep eventually. I never got the pain killer. Luckily by the time the flight landed it was gone. Usually, I had Advil with me, but looks like I left it either in my jacket pocket or at home.

The pilot did come on at 8:29p when were were 500 miles out at 35,000' and said that visibility was 10 miles and it was partly cloudy and he would turn the seatbelt signs off.

I awoke just before we touched down. It was awesome to see the night outside as one could see very far in the distance. We touched down with ease and taxied over to the gate.

Space Shuttle Endeavour: Leaving Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

10MAR08 Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

As planned at 6:50p, we departed or sanctity of comfy seats, complimentary drinks and wireless access in the Presidents for the hustle and bustle of the concourse. We were headed for gate 44, which was not too far away.

On arriving at the gate, I noticed that the ever long Boeing 757-300 was positioned at the gate. This aircraft is the only derivative of the Boeing 757 line. It looks the same, but is much, much longer.

I approached the counter and asked if we had been given seats as yet and the agent said yes and gave me our boarding cards. She did check if we could get seats together, but alas that was not the case. No worries at all, happy to have a seat, we are…

I walked away so I could see the registration number on the plane and the said “We’re boarding!” I said, I know, I’ll be right there as I continued to walk forward so I could see the registration number which I did see as “855” on the cover for the nose wheel well. It was 6:59p at the time.

I then walked back and presented my boarding card to her and so did my colleague.

Space Shuttle Endeavour: At Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

10MAR08 Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

The drive in was fine, no hassles, except that we took the HOV lane and the Easttex Exit does not really give you a proper entrance onto the service road for Highway 59.

Got to the parking facility without issues and is now in the Presidents Club awaiting the 7:20p flight to Orlando, FL (MCO).

The plan is to drive to somewhere between Titusville, FL and Cocoa Beach, FL and watch the launch at 2:18a ET.

More later.

Space Shuttle Endeavour

Off to see Endeavour.

The DL 777-200LR: Arriving in Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

08MAR08 Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

We taxied into the gate at Terminal A and then disembarked. It took a few minutes for this to happen as we were at the back of the plane.

Eventually, we got off and headed for the pickup area where my colleague's friend was picking us up. It is always interesting when you arrive on a late flight and it is virtually empty. The mornings are such the opposite though.

All in all a good trip, although I missed the 777-200LR, but better luck next time I guess.

The DL 777-200LR: Dallas/Ft. Worth, Dallas TX (DFW) to Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH)

AA1367 08MAR08 Dallas/Ft. Worth International, Dallas TX (DFW) to Houston Intercontinental, Houston TX (IAH) 7:15p 8:25p M80 N?????

Flight Time: 0:41
Seat Map

I greeted the flight attendant on entry and she said hello back. This aircraft has a 2-2 leather seat configuration in First and 2-3 cloth seats in Economy. We quickly made our way back to our seats and got settled.

I placed my jacket in a small space I saw in the overhead and almost immediately after I sat down the guy under that row got up and pulled his jacket out, refolded it and placed it over mine. I thought it was quite funny as he re-took his seat.

Once we were all seated and ready to go, the Captain came on the PA to say that there would be a slight 5-10 minutes delay as they were waiting for last minute bags. He said it was 60F and we would cruise at 31,000' for the 0:41 flight. At 7:27p, we pushed back while the flight attendants did the demo manually. The hum of the number 1 engine commenced followed by that of the #2 engine next to our heads. From these seats, you really feel like you are flying.

We commenced our taxi out to the runway and at 7:36p, we lined up along the runway and were airborne shortly thereafter.

Very soon after takeoff, there was a beverage service offered which started from the back of the plane forward. I had some apple juice and my colleague had some ginger ale.

At 31,000’ about 7:49p, the Captain came on the PA and said that we are at our cruising altitude for a few minuted and would start our descent soon. He said the weather was partly cloudy and the winds were out of the east at 10mph with a temperature of 58F. He expected us to land at 8:25p. He then added that is his hello and good by in the same message as the flight is so short.

We than cruised for another two minutes then commenced our descend at about 120 miles out of Houston.

The trash was taken up and I dosed off for a few minutes and awoke when the rear wheels touched the runway at Houston Intercontinental.

The DL 777-200LR: Dallas/Ft. Worth, Dallas TX (DFW)

08MAR08 Dallas/Forth Worth International, Dallas TX (DFW)

We disembarked and headed for terminal A via the SkyLink train. I also checked the flight information display and the last Continental flight to Houston Intercontinental was at 6:15p; it was 6:19p.

We followed the signs and headed for the Skylink upstairs. An American Airlines pilot also pointed us the way as he overheard us talking about getting to Terminal.

The Skylink is one fast monorail, it is quite crazy actually. It moves very quickly and slows down really fast. As we went by, I noticed that there was snow on the rooftops; good grief, when did that happen?

At Terminal A, which took forever to get to, we disembarked and went downstairs. Our gate, A10, was close to the end of the terminal, but it was not too far a walk at all.

At the gate, we saw our names on the standby list. We were 8 and 9 of 11; not bad I thought. I checked for Internet access and it was a pay system operated by T-Mobile. I have no credentials for the American Airlines Admiral Club, so I had to settle for the seats by the gate. I also found a plug to continue charging my computer.

We got a seat a about 6:50p which was cool and for which we were thankful; this was a middle and the window seat in row 32. This is the last "window" seat on the MD-80.

Once it was time for our Group to board we did so; relieved that we had received seats.

The DL 777-200LR: Los Angeles International, Los Angeles CA (LAX) to Dallas/Ft. Worth, Dallas TX (DFW)

AA2448 08MAR08 Los Angeles International, Los Angeles CA (LAX) to Dallas/Forth Worth International, Dallas TX (DFW) 1:25p 6:25p 763 "364"

Flight Time: 2:24
Seat Map

I boarded the airplane and greeted the flight attendant at the door. She smiled and ushered me forward through the 2-2-2 Business Class cabin. I had to back up as there was a flight attendant coming towards me. She smiled as I made way for her.

As she cleared the way, I started again down the aisle to my seat entering the 2-3-2 configuration in Economy Class. The seats are cloth, except for the movable headrests that are leather. There are also have overhead and bulkhead monitors around the cabin.



We settled into our seats with the middle seat open. There were plenty of other open seats as we took a cursory look around the cabin.

Before pushback, the lead flight attendant or maybe it was the Captain said welcome and advised that the weather in Dallas was 48F/9C.

We pushed back at 1:24p as the safety video started on the overhead monitors. We taxied out along runway 25R which is closed and then went across to 25L and started the roll immediately. At 1:43p, we were airborne.

After takeoff, I heard a ding as we passed 10,000’; it was time to start using my computer now. I felt below my seat and there was a power port; two for these three seats actually. You do need an adapter though that is similar to the one you plug into your cigarette lighter. I had my adapter, but I did not have the cigarette lighter portion so I could not use it.

At 1:53p, headsets were offered for 2 USD; you can also use your own to enjoy the inflight entertainment. I bought one and also asked for a blanket at the same time which she happily brought to me. As she did not have any change, she said she would return with it and also asked me to remind her later in case she did not.

On the overhead monitors, there were some ads as well as shorts of entertainment features from CBS.

At 2:03p, when we were at our cruising altitude of 39,000’ over Palm Springs, the Captain came on the PA and said that our route of flight would take us north of Phoenix, Arizona, south of Denver, Colorado and then on into Dallas. He continued, adding that our arrival time would be 6p, 15 minutes early. He said it would be bumpy for the next 20-30 minutes, so he would keep the seatbelt signs on and that we should stay in our seats. For the kids on board, he said that this airplane cost $120M brand new, the outside air temperature is -63F, the engines produce 60,000lbs of thrust at 8,000 horse power with a temperature of 640F. He also gave the local weather in Dallas and closed by saying to be nice to the flight attendants as they have a tough job as it is; we are going to be early as the landing time is 6p. it got pretty bumpy after his speech.

There was a program on the overhead about the guy who owns the Maltese Falcon yacht that cost a fortune; wow! “Valley Boy” by Tom Perkins is a book he wrote, he was also on the HP Board of Directors. I later realized it was “60 Minutes.”

The flight attendant made an announcement that there is a “Buy on Board” service of Asian Chicken wrap sandwich with Sesame Oriental dressing (orange, carrots, red bell pepper, cabbage, water chestnuts, romaine, almonds, cream cheese) for 5 USD three musketeers trail mix, chocolate chip cookie, potato chips for 3 USD plus a test version of Lipton green tea for 3 USD and alcoholic drinks for 5 USD they accept American Express plus all major credit cards.

Then The New Adventures of old Christine followed by David Letterman show. It looks like all the programs are from CBS.

We were quite hungry, so we had one sandwich each plus some crisps and some white wine (Pacific Vista pinot grigio 2005 California).

Other CBS programs played on on the monitor overhead including "The Late Late Show; "eventually, I fell asleep as I was so tired.

I awoke and heard the pilot say that we had 45 minutes to go, I cleaned up my area and then went back to sleep. I awoke to the gentle touch of the wheels landing on the runway in DFW.

The DL 777-200LR: In Los Angeles, CA (LAX)

So after getting bumped, it was time to get off the natural high and find a way home. I had my passport, buy my colleague had lost his documents on a recent trip and has no documents for international travel. Thus connecting via another country was out of the question today.

We journeyed back to the Presidents Club so we can figure this out. It was now 11:35a and there was a flight at 12:05p. We quickly listed for it and got checked in very quickly. It was all to no avail as there were no open seats and once again we were bumped; good effort though.

The next one was at 2:45p and then again at 4:45p. After that it was a red eye at 12:10a or a 3:45p to Newark, NJ (EWR) which would mean a hotel night or a 8:55p which would arrive at 5:47a and then we could connect to Houston on the 7:30a. All this sounded tiring so we started to look for other options.

I checked via Seattle, WA (SEA); San Diego, CA (SAN); Ontario, CA (ONT); John Wayne, CA (SNA) and San Francisco, CA (SAN), but everything was either full, bad timing or not enough time to make it.

I then checked American Airlines (AA) to Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (DFW) and they had room on a 1:25p to DFW, but to IAH was a bit full; overbooked actually. It was now 12:25p and we would still need to buy tickets and walk two terminals over. All that before 12:55p the latest.

We decided to give it a try anyways since there were no other options until the Continental flight at 2:45p. Besides they (AA) had a 2:00p 757 to DFW as well that we could try for and then take American Eagle from DFW to Houston-Hobby, TX (HOU).

We went downstairs and got our tickets and at 12:55p quickly headed for Terminal 4. Once there we looked for a lead agent and then headed to the First Class check-in area as everywhere else had customers who were checking in for flights later than ours that day.

The agent was very sweet and tried to check us in and it worked! One snag, which I knew would happen anyways is that we were tagged for secondary screening :-(. We raced upstairs and showed our credentials and went through the screening without any major incidents.

We then ran to the gate at the end of the concourse of course. The agent there then cleared us to two aisle seats with the middle open.

The DL 777-200LR: In pictures in Los Angeles, CA (LAX)

Delta Air Lines (DL) Boeing 777-200LR arrives in Los Angeles, CA (LAX) on its maiden revenue voyage from Atlanta, GA (ATL) as DL110.
Seat map - 43 lay flat Business Elite seats and 233 Economy class seats

Seat Width/Pitch:	BusinessElite®: 20-26 in/44 in (51-66 cm/112 cm) Bed Length: 76 in
	Economy class: 18 in/31-33 in (46 cm/79-84 cm)
Accommodation:	276 passengers
Cruising Speed:	550 mph (880 km/h)
Range:	9,450 miles (17,500 km)
Engine:	2 GE90-110B1, wing mounted
Cargo Capacity:	5,330 cu ft (151 cu m) or 14 LD-3 containers

It has just arrived and the ramp guys are preparing to tow her in.







The Airliners.net guys just came off the flight and are debriefing; they seem really pleased and excited about being on the inaugural.








Here is a link to a picture taken from the other side.