A Gentle Day in Lushoto

The viewpoint above Lushoto
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We had a relatively gently day today. Given the option of a 1.5hr walk up to the local viewpoint and a 4.5hr walk, all but two of the group chose the shorter option. As the main attraction of the longer walk was the chance to see Colobus monkeys in the wild and the only saw one (believed to be a stuffed monkey to assuage treckers), the shorter option seemed the right one.

Just before we got to the view point, we came across a shack run by someone offering accommodation for $5 per night. The view was amazing as the 'room' was on a platform hanging out over the rock face but you also got rotten planking and flea ridden mattresses into the bargain. The fleas are OK but the 2000 ft drop below the planking was a bit of a challenge.

Patrick Swaze and the stuffed monkey

The viewpoint above Lushoto
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Just thirty yards further up the trail was a modern, all mod cons lodge that charged $60 for a double room. An easy choice to make for anyone in the area but I was quite moved by the contrast in fortunes of the two operators.

The view was quite impressive and a brave German is reported to have jumped off the sheer rock face in a para-glider. Following in the footsteps presumably of the local who jumped off the rock face (and miraculously survived)rather than going to court for some offence.

A hopeful landlord just before the viewpoint.
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We decided we needed to mingle with local villages in the evening and went to the local disco. I thought we must have hit on Lushoto's gay capital as there were only men there dancing with each other when we arrived around 10pm although the women started drifting in later.

Peter Stringfellow has little to worry about. The floor was rough mud, there was a day glow painting on the wall, a couple of disco lights and quite a good sound machine to drown out the call to prayer from the local mosque. Oh, and an overwhelming smell of Stalewee aftershave.

The accommodation you get for $5 per night just below the viewpoint.
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Not one to be put off, I did my Patrick Swaze 'Dirty Dancing' impression for around an hour but then had to escape for some fresh air.

Oh what a sight. We've had cloudy evenings so far but tonight was clear and the stars were just .... well brilliant. No light pollution, no clouds, just stars as far as the eye could see. You'd love it here Paul!