Ann's Travels

A big huge THANK YOU to all of you who posted comments on this blog and/or sent me emails of encouragement. Your kind words spurred me on and always put a huge smile on my dial...your all great friends and family, thanks heaps :)

I can look back on the comments posted on the blog when I want to re-read it, which I know will be often. However, the emails and Facebook entries don't show up on the blog and so I am now pasting some of your comments, emails and FB entries on this page, so that I will always be able to read them in the order they came in along with your blog comments.....

20/08/2012
From Sally Hopkins
Hi Ann,

Have a fantastic time and go well. I'm sure you will achieve your goal. I will be following your progress with interest - love your blog, haven't quite finished reading everything on it, will have to get back to it before your climb starts!

Thanks for sharing, take care

Lotsa luv

Sal

PS maybe I'll get to celebrate your sucess with you sometime in the near future!

20/08/2012
From Tracey Carmichael
Hi Ann, I am so exicted for you that the day has finally come. But most of all I am extremely proud. You have a dream and you are follwing through. You will be able to achieve anything and everything in your life after climbing Mount Killi. I look forward to follwing your posts and have liked te facebook page

20/08/2012
From Ros & John McIvor

Hi Ann

As I have never followed a blog before will read with interest. Have started reading your previous posts and have found it very interesting. John and I hope you have a wonderful adventure in Africa. It must be a very exciting time for you embarking on a lifetime dream. You have achieved so much just being prepared for this climb so go ahead and enjoy the fruits of your training.

We have been watching Townsville weather over the last months and could not believe the temperatures and rain in winter.

Has Eddie been a training partner or has he been a golfer

......

I know you will be flat chat till you leave so don’t bother responding to this little update. Enjoy your time and I will be following you.

Love Ros

20/08/2012

From Deb Denis

GOOD LUCK!!! Take in some of that awesome mountain spirit for me too, please :-)

Ann, so glad you're enjoying the book. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying your blog - thanks for letting me know about it and please know that I too will be following your travels and wishing you the joys of Kilimanjaro.

For you, my fellow Kili Adventure Woman: "Have fun with it!"

Deb

20/08/2012
From Marita Hewitt
Hi!

What a great read - I will definitely be following your additions - oh how exciting your trip will be.

The best of luck, enjoy every step, I have every faith in your ability to conquer this challenge and stand at the top proud.

Take care, will be thinking of you,

All my love,

Marita

22/08/2012

From Barbara Munson

I am so happy you are going on the adventure of your life. You are ready and can do whatever you need to, but Kiliwarriors will keep you safe. You can trust their judgment.

We have had ongoing health issues here and now a sister-in-law with West Nile Virus encephalitis. It just doesn’t seem to end. I will try to follow your progress while we tend to family events.

You GO Ann!!!!!!!!!!

Barb

22/08/2012

From Louise Tinniswood

Hi Ann, Well here you go. This is what it has been about for the last few months. Have fun, keep safe and meet you in Cape Twon

25/08/2012
From Hope Thomas To My Facebook Messages
See you on the other side of Killimanjaro aunty! Go hard! Love you!!!!! See you at christmas. xx

25/08/2012
FACEBOOK KILIWARRIORS
Ann arrived with all her bags! Nick and Seth should be arriving shortly. Their Western breach trek starts Monday. Welcome to Arusha!

27/08/2012
FACEBOOK KILIWARRIORS
Mountain Update - Aug 27. Ann, Nick and Seth departed Arusha this morning on their Western Breach trek. Sunny weather through the rain forest. They are already at Forest Camp and doing well.

27/08/2012
From Louise Tinniswood
Hi Ann,
Great to hear you are comfortable with the guys you are climbing with. No luggage for them, some one is really looking after you on this trip. Love the photos of the markets and Kili. See you on the 5th September in Cape Town. I am so proud of you. Enjoy you Kiwi warrior.

27/08/2012
From Annette & Viti
'Mount' looks daunting; remember you're TREKKING for all of us. Stay safe and just do it!!!!!!!! Annette and Viti xx

28/08/2012
FACEBOOK KILIWARRIORS
Mountain Update - Aug 28. Very cloudy with fog today on the way to Shira Camp. Pockets of light rain. The team is doing very well.

29/08/2012

FACEBOOK KILIWARRIORS
Mountain Update - Aug 29. Another cloudy day but with better visibility than yesterday! We are at Moir Camp and doing well.

Photo: Mountain Update - Aug 29. Another cloudy day but with better visibility than yesterday! We are at Moir Camp and doing well.

29/08/2012
From Pat Cornford
Hi Ann
Just read your blog tonight - sounds like your guardian angel is taking good care of you. I'm so pleased to hear the companions are like-minded - hope it will stay that way. At least you are there and all ready to go. That must be a relief! I look forward to more on your blog when you are able to post. Thinking of you and remember when the going gets tough, the tough get going....
Cheers
Pat

30/08/2012

FACEBOOK KILIWARRIORS
Mountain Update - Aug 30. Finally nice sunny weather today! Nick and Ann are at Lava Tower and will stay here for two nights to acclimatize. Seth developed a headache that got worse overnight and he lost his appetite and energy so we agreed it is best for him to turn back. We escorted him to Arusha and he is doing fine now.

Photo: Mountain Update - Aug 30. Finally nice sunny weather today! Nick and Ann are at Lava Tower and will stay here for two nights to acclimatize. Seth developed a headache that got worse overnight and he lost his appetite and energy so we agreed it is best for him to turn back. We escorted him to Arusha and he is doing fine now.

31/08/2012
From Marita Hewitt
Hi Ann,

Just been catching up on your blog - thoroughly enjoying the read, and look forward to hearing the next installment. I truly hope you reach the roof and get to go into the crater, determination will take you a long way!

Thinking of you

x

31/08/2012
FACEBOOK KILIWARRIORS
Mountain Update - Aug 31. We had wonderful sunny weather today and decided to hike all the way to Arrow Glacier camp and back to assist with acclimatization! We are back at our camp near Lava Tower. Ann and Nick are doing very well.

Photo: Mountain Update - Aug 31. We had wonderful sunny weather today and decided to hike all the way to Arrow Glacier camp and back to assist with acclimatization! We are back at our camp near Lava Tower. Ann and Nick are doing very well.

01/09/2012
FACEBOOK KILIWARRIORS
Mountain Update - Sep 1. We were blessed with another great day on Kilimanjaro. It was sunny and clear as we hiked to Arrow Glacier Camp. Ann and Nick did well today and feel positive about the Breach tomorrow!

Photo: Mountain Update - Sep 1. We were blessed with another great day on Kilimanjaro. It was sunny and clear as we hiked to Arrow Glacier Camp. Ann and Nick did well today and feel positive about the Breach tomorrow!

02/09/2012
FACEBOOK KILIWARRIORS
Mountain Update - Sept 2. Great news! Ann and Nick reached the summit today! CONGRATULATIONS! They are now at Crater Camp for the night!

Mountain Update - Sept 2. Here is Nick and Ann on the summit of Kilimanjaro!

03/09/2012
FACEBOOK KILIWARRIORS
Ann and Nick at the glaciers! A strong pair to do the breach and summit all in one day! Well done!

Photo: Ann and Nick at the glaciers! A strong pair to do the breach and summit all in one day! Well done!

03/09/2012
From Eddie to David Carmichael and Davids Reply
Eddie - She made it!!One day early.

David - Pass on to her our congratulations. It’s amazing what lengths she will go to to get away from you for a while……just kidding

DFC

04/09/2012
From Tracey Carmichael

Hi Ann, A little bird told me yesterday that you made it to the top AND one day early. I got goose bumps all over when I heard. Congratulations!!!! I am so proud of you. Look out world, you will be able to achive anything now.

Enjoy the rest of your trip

Lot of love Tracey xxx

04/09/2012
FACEBOOK KILIWARRIORS
Mountain Update - Sept 3. Nick and Ann safely made their way down to Mweka Camp in good weather. Tired but happy!

Photo: Mountain Update - Sept 3. Nick and Ann safely made their way down to Mweka Camp in good weather. Tired but happy!

Mountain Update - Sept 4. Nick and Ann celebrated their certificate ceremony today in warm sunshine and are back at their hotels where (hopefully) plenty of hot water awaited them for those long showers! They had a great trek!

Photo: Mountain Update - Sept 4. Nick and Ann celebrated their certificate ceremony today in warm sunshine and are back at their hotels where (hopefully) plenty of hot water awaited them for those long showers! They had a great trek!

04/09/2012
From Carol at Kiliwarriors

Hello Ann –

YOU DID IT! I am so proud of you and your summit success. Congratulations!

We celebrate our 10^th year of success on Kilimanjaro this year. And I must say you are one of our most determined clients ever. I admire your courage and “pluck.”

I will never forget your first correspondence to us. You said people close to you said it was a crazy idea for you to climb Kilimanjaro…especially considering your health challenges. I tell so many of our clients not to attempt Kilimanjaro unless you clearly hear that voice in your head and heart that says to you it’s something you know beyond a shadow of a doubt you must try....an undeniable strong desire in your heart that you will attempt it…no matter what! You clearly had the right mindset!

As is the case during every trek on the mountain for the past 10 years, if we are not on the mountain ourselves, Eben and I anxiously await updates from our team during every day of every trek for reassurance that all is going well. When it gets to day 7, the most difficult day of the 9 day trek, quite honestly, we don’t sleep or rest. We know at 10pm our time in the USA, you are getting ready for the most difficult part of the trek…breach day!

It was midnight in the USA, I knew you should be about 2/3 way through what we call the “danger zone.” And I began to think about your journey...your initial keen desire and determination when you signed up...fast forward to your work hardships about a month before the trip and confidence and focus slipping away a bit...and on the phone with you a few days before departure I sensed a quiet, perhaps somewhat cautious confidence...but determination returning...it was time to go! I had a very strong feeling based on your strength and fortitude during the first 6 days of your trek, that you would be just fine and attain your goal! In fact, last night I was getting giddy with excitement for you! As I was sitting here praying for your success, a poem I memorized as a child in primary school came to my mind and I realized how much this little poem was a reflection of you and your Kilimanjaro journey. I decided when I heard from Hosea that you reached the summit, to send you this little poem...a testament to what can be done when you put your mind and heart into something...and don't listen to the nay sayers! Here is the first verse…

It Couldn’t Be Done

By Edgar Guest

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
     But, he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn’t," but he would be one
     Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
     On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
     That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

Ann, as the poem says...you "tackled the thing!" It's now your time to sing Ann...SING!

Warm Regards,

Carol

------------------------------

Carol Schoeman

Kiliwarrior Expeditions

05/09/2012
From Ros & John McIvor

Hi Ann

You have achieved your dream, well done. We have been reading the blog and following you with great excitement on Facebook. It has been a fascinating to watch your progress and will you on. Hope your feet are still intact and your are moving around OK after all the exertion. John said you should motivate the little bloke to do something similar. Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday and savour the moment of your massive achievement.

Lots of Love and best wishes

Ros & John

09/09/2012
From Marita Hewitt
Hey Ann,

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a wonderful journey, am so proud of you - also made me shed a tear, what a great record of the challenge that blog is.

Can't wait to hear more about it - take care on your descent and enjoy the feeling of achieving your goal.

Love xxxxxx

11/09/2012
From Deb Denis
Hi Ann,

LOVE YOUR BLOG and love your spirit. I am so impressed with your ability to overcome the physical challenges that I know you only shared a part of. You are brave, you are a goddess, and you made it to the roof of Africa, my friend - well done!

Congratulations!

I wanted you to know that the story of my climb, and the obstacles I faced, is published. I hope you'll read it and let me know what you think. Best pricing is via the Publisher: www.MarionGracePublishing.com

All the best,

Deb

11/09/2012
From Christina Pery
So so proud. She'd a tear when I read you had made it. See you soon, clever girl.Christina

11/09/2012

From Christina Pery (my Personal Trainer) To My Facebook Messages

Just read an amazing blog from my friend and PT client, Ann, who has summitted Mt Killimanjerro. Lots of dedication, training and preparation against many odds to achieve a long-held dream. What a remarkable effort, thanks for letting me be a part of your story. — with Ann Hewitt.

11/09/2012
From Sally Hopkins

Awesome, I can’t wait to read the next instalments on your blog. I’ve got everybody in WA reading it too!

Have fun

Love to Lou too

Sal

By the way, I didn’t mention that you are rapidly turning into a heroine and setting the bar for us all to aspire to! I will be interested to hear what you are planning on for your next adventure!

Enjoy the rest of this one

xx

12/09/2012
From Tracey Carmichael - 3 Emails in one day - Go Tracey!
You are truly an amazing woman Ann. I love that photo of you at the top!!!! It's just like we talked about. Congratulations!!!! I can't believe how rough thre terrain is.

Wow, I had a tear in my eye after reading Day 7, a moment in time you will never forget. Any time life get's tough now you will only need to reflect on that moment and everything will be easy. I hope your hips and knees don't give you too much grief so that you can enjoy the rest of your trip xx

Hi Ann, I just read a few of your Blogs and I got a tear in my eye when I read how you felt when you reached the top. You will be reliving that moment for the rest of your life.

I hope your knees and hips don’t give you too much grief for the rest of the trip and yes I hope for your sake it is Gin and Tonic too!!!

It will be like playing scary cubbies!!!!

I will post the newsletter on Friday

Take care, have fun and give my love to Lou xxxx

12/09/2012
From Pat Cornford
Thank you for sharing your amazing journey in such detail - I've really enjoyed your adventure and humour! Look forward to seeing you and hearing more

13/09/2012
From Sally Hopkins
Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful experience with us Ann. You are wasted in insurance, you should take up writing! Enjoy the rest of your holiday, can't wait to chat when you get back.

15/09/2012
From Michelle, Adrian and Tegan Dall'Oste

Hi Ann,

Congratulations on reaching your goal and for filling your dream.

I did try and blog to you after Eddie told me you had made it to the top, and spent hours that night with no success.

I just spoke with him tonight on this and he told me there were some problems in doing this and he did not understand the blog bit himself and has just told me to email you to accept any blogs, so forgive me if you receive half a dozen of the same at once.

Ann you are wasting your vocation and should become an author publishing different travels with photos and blogs received.

You made it very easy to read, so interesting, adventurous and full of details your email about your climb was captivating, I spoke about this with Eddie and he agreed himself (he just said after reading it he thought WOW).

I can not believe your travels are almost over and arrive back on Tuesday, it has gone very quickly here, not sure about you there.

Anyway stay safe and enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Will catch up with you when you get back.

Once again well done

Michele, Adrian and Tegan xxx Mitzy x

22/09/2012

From Hope Thomas To My Facebook Messages

LOVED LOVED LOVED the blog. Even shed a few tears on the reading of "Living The Dream....I Have Lived My Dream! I have climbed Kilimanjaro and stood on the roof of Africa, the continent that has taken my breath away for so many years now and always has a piece of my soul"
So proud of you aunty! I cant wait to give you a MASSIVE hug at christmas. x

23/09/2012
Deb Denis added this to her web site

Ann chose Kiliwarriors and when you read the book, you’ll see my mention Carol from Kiliwarriors, who was helpful to me (I enjoyed our conversation too). Tremendous and clearly, by Ann’s experience and over 10 years in the business of leading teams up Kilimanjaro, Kiliwarriors is one guide service to consider. See Carol’s message to Ann in the April 9, 2012 entry in Ann’s blog http://ann-hewitt.blogspot.com/

Ann Hewitt is a brave and tenacious Kiliwarrior herself, not letting painful physical challenges like Fibromyalgia deter her from her dream of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Ann Hewitt – YOU ROCK!

24/09/2012
From Jenni Matthews To My Facebook Messages
Awesome effort! xx

24/09/2012
From Kerry Duscha (Escape Travel)
Hi Ann

Thankyou for including me in your travel diary - I thoroughly enjoyed tracking your amazing journey and commend you on your courage. Your persistence certainly paid an immense and memorable reward.

Kind regards Kerry

Kerry Duscha
Assistant Travel Manager
Escape Travel Townsville Business

24/09/2012
From Sally Hopkins
Great read Ann! I see I'm not alone in thinking you are wasted in insurance and that you should take up writing... I'm not sure if I should be scared or not, but I am VERY interested to hear what is brewing for your next challenge....

24/09/2012

From Matthew Taylor

Shed a tear too! So proud! Love you, MT

It is now 17th November 2013 and I am pleased to find people are still reading my blog and writing to me. The current total of hits is 5682, so a big thanks to all who have read this blog and shared in my adventure :)
In the past weeks I have recieved emails from two readers that I would like to share with you;

23/10/2013
From Lori Auffret

I just completed your blog. I am so proud of you. Laughter and tears filled my dining room as I was reading your story. I so appreciate you sharing it with everyone. You give the details that people need to know. Even down to the public toilets. Yes, I just about threw up picturing it in my mind. Are you able to tell me the songs that were on the Creative Visualization that Tracey made for you? You really have no idea of how your blog really spoke to me. It sounds as though you have a personality very similar to mine. I could definitely see the trip and climb through your eyes.

Thank you again.

Lori and I shared a few emails back and forth with personal stories and it seemed to have many things in common.

I even told her of the rather scary health issue that hit me when I got back from Kilimanjaro. I very quickly found I had to have brain surgery and a stent placed in my brain - long story that I may share more of with you all when I start my next blog (that will be when I decide on my next trek - probably around March of next year, I will make a commitment about then).

Maybe Lori and I will trek together one day :)

13/11/2013From Michael Ainsworth

Hi Ann, I'm climbing Mount Kilimanjaro next year and I've been researching compulsively and I've just found and started to read your blog about climbing Kili. I tried to post this comment to the blog but it wouldn't let me. Well done, by the way! Anyway, it's an interesting coincidence that just as I was reading that you had 327 days to go I looked up at the counter I have had going for a few months now - it showed I have exactly 327 days to go as well! Looking forward to reading your blog, cheers Mick.

15/11/2013

I enjoyed it very much Ann, and found it very inspiring. I am a nurse and I've looked after people with fibromyalgia, so I have a bit of an idea of what you overcame (let alone the arthritis) to reach the summit. I liked your tactics with the acetazolamide - exactly what I've been planning to do, after researching extensively of course. It's good to hear a "real person's" experience of it rather than just scholarly articles! if you thought about publishing something else one day I'd like to read it; your writing style is quite enjoyable to read. Anyway, 325 days to go now! Cheers, Mick.

Michael Ainsworth

19/01/2014

Anonymous19 January 2014 11:43 pm

Thank you so much for posting about your journey! I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome when I was 27. I am now 29, and my husband and I have been living and working in Tanzania for the last year. He's always wanted to climb Kilimanjaro, and I questioned whether it was possible for me. It wasn't until I read your blog that I had hope that I could actually succeed. We just got back from climbing on the Lemosho route. It was definitely one of the most painful experiences of my life, but I kept repeating your mantra "It's only pain. I don't quit because of pain." With lots of prayer, repetition, and encouragement, my husband and I both made it to the top! We did the climb as fundraiser for the secondary school where we work here in Tanzania, taking pledges per meter. We are so happy to see all the money now coming in so that our school can have a boys dormitory. Your story was the only one I could find of someone with fibromyalgia making it to the top of Kili, but it was enough to give me that final nudge to try. I hope my story will likewise encourage someone with fibro to try something they didn't think was possible. Thanks again! ~Linda

ReplyDelete

Replies

Ann Hewitt11 May 2014 3:32 pm

Hi Linda,
Sorry it has taken so long for me to reply, you must think me rude. Somehow your posting went into spam and I have just found it. Better late than never. I am overwhelmed that I inspired a fellow fibromyalgia suffer to climb Kili, it brought tears to my eyes. Well done girl, now you know you can do anything you put your mind to.
Cheers Ann

Ann's Travels

24 September 2012

What's Next?

23 September 2012

Emails, Posted Comments and Facebook To Look Back On