After breakfast we set off for the airport allowing plenty of time due to the traffic jam we experienced on the way in, two days ago. We go a taxi from the hotel. On the way, we confirmed our earlier observation that Toyotas rule in Tanzania. Most cars in the country are Toyotas. Just from our general observation, we reckon it must be more than 95% if not 99%! T for Tanzania, T for Taleban and T for Toyota! People buy Toyota when they want reliability.
The ride to the airport took only 30 minutes with normal traffic. Even though we were on a domestic flight, we were dropped off at the international terminal where Precision Air operates from. With no queue, we checked in straight away and proceeded upstairs to domestic departures. We had 90 mins to kill till the boarding the 1120 flight but with surprisingly good internet the time went quickly. I used the time wisely to plan my Sichuan trip in October.
We boarded the Precision Air ATR42 and left early. We were given a drink and a generous bag of cashews on the 1h20 flight which took us near Kilimanjaro (on starboard side) before landing at Arusha airport.
The little airport was packed with small planes, most of which were probably 9 seaters. We taxied to town for a costly TZS40,000 as per the placard on the airport exit. We resigned ourselves to the fact that taxis are a rip-off in this country.
We checked into the Premier Palace Hotel on the edge of town and went out for a little walk. Contrary to expectations set by the guidebook, we weren’t pestered by any touts for safaris, SIM cards or anything at all!
There wasn’t much to do so we retreated to the hotel where I used the internet to firm up more of my plans for Sichuan later in the year. We ate dinner in at the hotel and retired early yet again.
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- Glimpse of Mt Kilimanjaro through the propeller.
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- Lots of small planes at Arusha airport.
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- Exploring Arusha on foot.
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- Mt Meru from our hotel room.