The Gopal Family Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari Dispatch
August 9, 2012 – The Gopal Family Arrives!
The Gopal family has arrived in Tanzania!
The team first met their guides. Most of the staff is already on the mountain waiting for the climbers to arrive. Eric, who will be handling logistics and resupplies from town, Emmanuel, who will be Chief Guide and Polight were in Arusha to help with orientation and packing. They will also help us tour this fascinating northern Tanzanian city of one million people.
After we did orientation with the guides, it was time to visit Arusha's new Tanzanite Museum, to learn about this unique gem stone only found here. Tanzanite is 1000 times more rare than diamonds!
From the museum we went to a very busy local Arusha market. Everyone's comment was "this is just like India!”
The Gopals arrive in Tanzania (L to R): Indersarat, Tejashree, Prajit, Minni, Rohit, Aasha and Ajei.
The team met their guides.
Herman will also be going along with us as a guide on the mountain.
Tanzanite Museum
Cutting and polishing
Rohit and Prajit hanging out at the Tanzanite museum
Eric at the museum
Eric with Jacquline, our guide at the museum
Ajei photographing tanzanite
Minni trying on a Tanzanite necklace
A local crowded Arusha market
Making our way through the market
Colourful vegetables at the market
Sardines anyone? Eric told us the best sardines come from Lake Tanganyika, not Lake Victoria.
What a fun team! We have come a long way from New York!