Mount Kilimanjaro: Up the Mountain, Day 2

As we set out on Day 2, the top of Kili was just a little bit closer...she was beckoning to us, all we would have to do that day was climb about 4 miles at a very steep incline, going from about 9,500 ft high to 12,500 ft high. 

We were all super excited to get going on Day 2, the terrain was Forest and then it turned into the Moorlands. As we climbed/hike higher and higher we discovered a prehistoric tree that would see a lot of the next day. All I could imagine was a large triceratops crunching on the leaves of this tree. 

As a rock lover, I really enjoyed this day of hiking. It took away from the monotony of putting one foot in front of the other as you went up a hill. 

There are a few key words you learn early on in your hike:

Jambo Jambo- this means, Welcome, or how are you? Jambo Jambo is said on the mountain whenever you pass someone, it's a nice greeting. 

Hakuna Matata-If you've ever seen the Lion King, you should know that it means "No Worries." Hakuna Matata is said often on the mountain, usually in response to someone saying sorry for something...tripping, falling, hitting someone else with your hiking pole, etc. 

Asante Sana-This is probably the most important phrase, it means "thank you very much." Whenever a porter passes, whether one of yours or not, it is always nice to thank them. They are the hardest working people on the mountain as they carry all of your things so that you can reach the top. 

Pole Pole-Now for Pole Pole, this means slowly slowly. We walked up the mountain extremely pole pole, we wouldn't have made it otherwise, and that I can guarantee. 

We definitely did this part if the route Pole Pole! 

Once we reached the top we had a lovely mountain side picnic consisting of tea, drinking chocolate, instant coffee, popcorn and more! Our guides, cooks, and porters treated us very well. 

After our little break, we continued on to Shira Camp. We would call this camp home for the night. After finding our tents, and a little rest we were welcomed to tea time and then dinner. The next day would be Day 3 on the mountain, where we would stay at a low incline and get to visit the lava tower.