Swimming With a View of Kilimanjaro

Today I went to a swimming pool in Moshi — a pool with a direct view of Mount Kilimanjaro. And I have to say: that view alone already feels surreal. Snow-capped, massive, calm. One of those moments where you stop and just look.

Unfortunately, the place itself didn’t quite live up to the scenery.

The pool area was poorly maintained. There were no lockers at all, the changing rooms were a mess, and the showers were dirty. No privacy, no hooks, no shelf — nowhere to put your clothes or your bag while showering. You’re basically standing there, exposed, hoping nobody walks by at the wrong moment.

The toilets were… something else. Very open, very public. You say hello to everyone passing by while they can literally see you poop. On top of that, they weren’t clean — there was still poop left inside from previous visitors. That alone makes you reconsider a lot of life choices. I didn’t even want to use the toilet, but after swimming I had to use the shower, despite the lack of privacy and hygiene.

The entrance fee was 7,000 TZS, which isn’t cheap for me — I could expect basic cleanliness and maintenance for that amount.

The pool itself looked old and worn, as if it had seen much better days and was slowly falling apart.

Still, the weather was perfect. Warm, calm, relaxed. And that view of Kilimanjaro fixed a lot. Not everything — but enough to make the visit worth it in its own strange way.

Sometimes travel is exactly that: imperfect places saved by extraordinary surroundings.

📍 Moshi, Tanzania

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Moshi, Tanzania — Walking Under Kilimanjaro’s Clouds

Today unfolded at a gentle, unhurried pace. After breakfast, I lingered over another coffee, letting the morning breathe before heading out for lunch. Street food came to the rescue — fast, simple, and perfect for the day.

I wandered into the supermarket, grabbed a tea from the bakery, and filled my basket with a few essentials. Then it was back to the hostel to drop everything off before setting out again.

The next mission was the gas station — or so I thought. After a long walk, I discovered there was no booking office there. Instead, it was at another station, right between the bus station and the supermarket… a place I had just passed. So I turned around and walked it all again.

On the way, I passed Kibo Palace. It was getting late, and I decided to head up to the rooftop to check on Kilimanjaro. The mountain was hidden behind clouds once more, but I still took a few photos — proof of the moment, even without the view.

At the right gas station, I finally found what I was looking for: bus times, routes, and prices. With all the information in hand, the day felt complete.

I ended the evening back at the hostel with a Coke, a cup of tea, and a slice of chocolate cake from earlier — tired legs, calm mind, and that quiet satisfaction that only comes from walking through a place instead of rushing past it.

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