23.2. Birthday celebration in the Lodge and Kilimandscharo in the dusk.
A day in the lodge, with a short mountain bike tour and a birthday celebration in the evening.
After yesterday´s rain, it is so wet this morning, that the morning mist even comes up to the lodge.
The locals say this is a very rare event.
With the sun rising, the mist dissolves of course. Kilimandscharo now appears above the mist.
Panoramic view from the patio of the Original Maasai Lodge´s restaurant. Click here or into the picture for a larger display.
The elephant sculptures in front of the patio.
The mist is now drawing back, above is Kilimandscharo in strong backlight.
Kilimandscharo.
Kilimandscharo. I go for a short mountain bike ride to pay a visit to Paulo, the gardener, in his wonderful permaculture garden. Paulo is producing most of the vegetables needed in the schools and the lodge.
On the way back large areas with ink flowers (Cycnium tubulosum), in full flower now at the beginning rain season.
Ink flowers (Cycnium tubulosum)
Ink flowers (Cycnium tubulosum)
Already mid-afternoon, the clouds around Kilimandscharo, which normally stay till early dusk, tear apart.
With full sunshine, Kilimandscharo makes its appearance behind the pool of the Original Maasai Lodge.
Kilimandscharo. In the forground, one of the many small (volcanic) hills, on which the lodge was built on.
One of the special sponsors of the schools belonging to the Africa Amini Alama project (a retired Austrian primary school teacher) is celebrating her round birthday. The whole profit of the Lodge and of Momella´s Hillside retreat goes into this project - this is called "charity tourism" nowadays. This fact is one of the reasons why I chose this special place for my holiday.
Everything is taking place outside, nobody cares about the Pandemic.
Two goats, roasted on the fire, are brought in.
In the meantime, Kilimandscharo begins to glow in the evening light.
The clouds are drawn aside - at least from the snowy summit region.
The sun is going down, the dales are in dusk, but not so on the mountain.
The summit is glowing in the red evening sun, whereas it is getting dark below.
