Livingstonia to Blantyre

Trip Start Apr 03, 2008
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Trip End Jun 25, 2008


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Flag of Malawi  , Blantyre,
Monday, May 12, 2008

Trudging down the hill from the Mushroom Camp, I realized that Malawi was giving me a glimpse of something I had not seen yet on my travels from Capetown all the way to where I stood today.  These people, the Malawains, are incredibly happy and content with their lives.  Amazing, seeing as to how this is considered one of the poorest countries in the world, and most folks dont have a pot to piss in, or any other container for such purposes.  In truth, I have to say that Malawi has really astounded me, and I have enjoyed my time here immensely.

So the trek down the hill, beautiful views and all, was welcomed.  I had decided to try and get to Kande Beach, several hours south on the main highway from where I was located.  5 hours later, with 40 people in my little bus, I jumped off and trekked another 3 miles by foot to my campsite, Kande Beach.  Campsite really is not the appropriate term, as i had a bed in a dorm to myself Bare church
Bare church
 .  Two days of laziness was plenty, and i hopped a overlander truck out to the main road to try and get a further transport down to Senga Bay.

Note, this was a sunday.  Sundays are for church, not travelling.  As I sat there for well over an hour, approached by all sorts of locals inquiring what i was doing, what i was reading, if i wanted to give them a pen, etc, i wondered if i would be able to get down to Senga Bay at all.  Then approached my ride - a PSI donor vehicle.  As I stuck my thumb out, I deemed myself lucky that they at all stopped.  PSI is a non-proit organization that does quite a bit on AIDS education and healthcare, and distributes condoms and such to try and curb this disease.  I jumped in the back of the Landcruiser, and 4 hours later found myself in Senga Bay.  I tried to ask this guy if in fact it was a PSI vehicle, and with emblems on the side one would figure he would fess up, but no of course it wasnt.  Haha - PSI employees are pocketing cash as private taxi service between cities.  Hell, beats the bus I took to Kande Beach the other day. 

From Senga, which I have to say is not that nice a town, I headed to Blantyre, where I sit today.  Tomorrow I break into my Mozambique travels, and have to say I am a bit disappointed to leave Malawi.  People, come here.  This place is great, really.  From the sights I have seen, to the activities I have done, to the people I have met (names including Kevin Costner, Mr T, Black Mamba, Little Boy, Sweet Pineapple, but my favorite Cheese on Toast) this place is spectacular. 

So half my journey is done, or over half.  Hope you have enjoyed the blog thus far, and the pics that go along with it.  Best regards to all.

Kyle
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Comments

istra
istra on May 18, 2008 at 08:38AM

Hello Kyle
Thank you for writing this blog, it is so great that we can read how beautiful Africa is. Keep writing, we are all enjoying, and kind of traveling together with you. Greetings from Pula. Have a great time.

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