Day 1 and 2

Day 1

We departed Bristol,UK for Amsterdam on a KLM flight at 5.30pm on New Years Day 2021. Due to coronavirus we needed a recent negative Covid 19 test certificate in order to board the flight and also to disembark at Schipol airport in Amsterdam. Also last minute changes to the entry requirements for the Netherlands meant we were now not allowed to enter Amsterdam and had to stay airside at the airport until catching our connecting flight to Kilimanjaro the following day. Luckily we found this out via an internet search (not KLM) the day before we departed and so cancelled our overnight hotel in Amsterdam and managed to book a small room called “a pod” in a hotel that is located airside in Schipol.

We arrived in Schipol just before 8pm local time. The airport was eerily quiet , just like Bristol and most shops and restaurants were shut or about to shut. Luckily we had brought our own food and drink so we just headed straight to the hotel where we stayed for the next 13 hours. The “pod” was pretty small with just enough room for a double bed and a small bathroom - certainly not suitable for those who suffer from claustrophobia, but it suited our needs and we spent a fairly comfortable night there.

Day 2

This next morning we woke fairly early, showered and then left our pod around 8.30am in search of some breakfast. Luckily the airport was a little more awake this morning and we picked up some coffee and banana bread before heading to our gate. Boarding started around 9.30am and the plane was ready for take off just before 10am for a scheduled departure at 10.05. However the pilot then announced that they had noticed a problem on the right side wing that needed fixing. We then all sat on the plane whilst this was dealt with and the plane eventually departed around 11.30.

We had a smooth and fairly pleasant flight, at least as much as it can be during these strange times. It’s never going to be great having to wear a face mask for what turned out to be about 10 hours on a plane but we coped fine. The onboard service was more limited than normal but we were well fed and given plenty to drink even if there was little or no choice.

We landed at Kilimanjaro at 9.40pm and were among the first off then plane. We joined the queue for the Heath Screening and then moved to the Visa queue. This all moved through pretty quickly and we had our Visas and luggage by soon after 10pm.

Robert from ACTT was waiting for us and drove us to More Than a Drop in Moshi where we will be staying for the next week. On arrival Simon, the security guard let us in and showed us to our room. It was now after 11pm so we went straight to bed.