We said our goodbyes to Tanzania and off we headed to the warm heart of Africa, Malawi.. although we were greeted by the rain. On our first day our truck broke down, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We were greeted by local children, who all wanted to play football and swing off our arms. It was lovely to play with the children but sad to leave them as our truck was mended and we were on our way again.
Our campsite Kande Beach was situated on Lake Malawi, the rain was still present but it didn't dampen our spirits. The roads were ridiculously muddy which caused the truck to get stuck in the mud. We all had to get out and help the locals push the truck out. On arrival at the beach campsite, the tour guides threw us a party; providing us with punch aptly called Malawian Gold. We dressed each other in bizarre clothing that we had bought at a local market early... Needless to say it was a good night had by all, resulting in dancing on the bar at the campsite.
The next day we went on a village walk organised by one of the locals. We were shown local houses, the water pump, the school and the local clinic - where there were two 3 day old new born babies. We were shocked to be informed that the clinic was manned by two full time members of staff who worked 24 hours a day. The school was pretty basic, a far cry from the classrooms back home. The school had 7 teachers and roughly 150 children per class. All the way along the walk we were escorted by young children who again wanted to hold and swing of our arms. On the back to the campsite we were taught how to play the local game of Bao and the bongos. We were also treated to a local lunch, which was delicious.
Once back to the campsite we headed to the beach and dipped our toes into the Lake. We all were apprehensive about Lake Malawi as we had been informed that there were snakes, hippos, crocodiles, Blasria and Typhoid all living in the water. In the middle of the Lake there was an island with Mel and Rhiannon swam to with a couple of the other guys from the tour. It was a grueling swim which ended with a heart pumping jump off a 8 metres rock into the lake.
Once back on dry land, we were treated to a pig roasted. The pig was killed freshly in the morning and had been roasting on a spit all day. After the grueling swim, the crackling pig was extremely tasty.
After the beach we headed to Malawi's capital, Lilongwe. We saw such sights as a Nandos and a 7 Eleven. The rain seemed to be following us as we experienced further down pour that evening.
We thought we had already arrived at the Zambezi river when we arrived at the Zambia boarder and had to navigate our way through torrential rain. You could instantly notice the difference in wealth. In Lusaka we witnessed young fashionable girls all supporting high heels and all talking on their mobile phones and tapping into their music devices. We were treated to an American evening where we cooked burgers, hotdogs, chips, Marshmellow and then Chocolate Birthday cake, to celebrate a memeber of the groups Birthday- It was simply divine.
Currently we are sitting poolside in the sun by the Zambezi river... hopefully enhancing our tans. Hannah has just returned from an early Lion Walk, where she was able to stroke and play with some 17 month old lions, lucky she survived to tell us all her tale.
Tomorrow is the probably the biggest day of our lives to date... a potential life or death situation... the dreaded BUNGEE JUMP off Victoria Falls Bridge. We will be throwing ourselves 111meters off the Bridge in three different ways, Bungee, Gorge Swing and Slide!!!! If we survive we will update you about our relaxing walk around the falls.
Hugs and Kisses
Rhiannon, Hannah, Kate, Lizzie and Mel.
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