On Monday the 3rd of November 2008, Ferdi and I walked across the Mozambique border and crossed into the “Heart of Africa” Malawi.
With no hassles we immediately recognised better communication with the fact that their preferred or most used language is English.
It is amazing to see such a vast difference between two countries that are situated only a few minutes apart. Our welcome was warm and green surroundings invited us to get very excited about this new destination. To start off with, the exchange rate is very good round here, and it feels like we get more value for money as well.
Malawi is well known for active practised Christianity, and this is portrayed through the many churches you’ll find on the road, as well as the gospel played out on radio stations.
We settled in Blantyre, which is a bigger city, at the Doogles lodge and backpackers, and will be travelling to Monkey bay tomorrow morning. Doogles is one of a few lodges in the area, and is fun filled with a lovely bar and restaurant, a swimming pool and a choice of sleeping facilities such as camping, dorms and rooms at good rates.
Monkey bay is one of the many beautiful locations situated at the Lake Malawi, and this is where we will spend most of our time, moving up towards Tanzania. As one goes further from the main cities which are Blantyre, and the Capital Lilongwe, it gets more difficult to buy food etc. Except for fresh fruit and veg, one cannot find much else, so we are here to stock up and re fuel in order to last us a while! That’s why I am spending today in the Internet café, and Ferdi is shopping for groceries!
As far as we heard, people are most impressed with the hospitality and easiness of Malawi, and tend to stay longer than planned because of that, so we are extremely excited about our visit!
Will keep in touch!
Cheers!
Accommodation Rates: Doogles lodge 700 Kwacha per person for a dorm room, and 540 per person for camping.
|
