Trip Report #8 (22 July 2009): Malawi Lake East Coast

We woke up at the Zomba campsite (part of the local trout farm) to the sound of the river flowing past.  It was still cold but the campsite was green and my spirit improved when I tasted Anita’s coffee.

 

 

We visited the hotel on top of Zomba mountain for breakfast.

 

 

 

We stopped at the Liwonde market where we bought more Africa stoves (local version of the Weber).

We decided not to cross the border and head for Lichinga just yet, in an effort not too drive another marathon stretch.

We decided to to drive up the eastern border of Malawi lake and bush camp wherever we found a suitable spot.  We were hoping to find a quit spot.  hehe 

After some distance Adri found an uncharted road which went towards the lake.  We took it and finally had to ask for direction to get through the thicket and get to the water side.  By this time the local village people was so excited that virtually everyone came to watch the spectacle.

Anita was the first to take out an camera and the response was … immediate.

Meanwhile I had some difficulty to get onto the loose sand, but after deflating my tyres… no problem.

 

 

 

We had to negotiate with the locals for access to the site. 

Here is Adri with his interpreter and local elder with whom the negotiation was conducted.

 

Meanwhile the crowd was thickening and eventually Adri introduced a clause into the negotiations whereby we could declare a border. 

The latter was enforced by erecting our clothing line around the site.

 

 

It took some time for our audience to dissipate, but they finally did and we ended up having a wonderful setting, which I doubt will soon be beaten.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was our view across the lake.  Monkey Bay is clearly visible on the other side, as the lake is still quite narrow here.

ciao, Carl-Hein