Feb 27th
BIG STORM LAST NIGHT! The wind started picking up about 3:30 AM and the rain and wind were really wild for about an hour. It was raining in my hut, or so I thought at first. I could feel this really fine mist coming down on me, but I could not tell where it was coming from, as I could not see that it would be coming through the thatch roof, and at the front there was a large porch, which covered most of the front of the hut. I finally realized that the wind was blowing so hard off the lake, and right at the front of my hut, that it was pushing the rain through a small screen (vent) at the top peak of the hut. It was kinda refreshing with the mist falling, but I moved my suitcase into the bathroom area to keep from getting everything wet. Well today, is a travel/sightseeing day. Brad and I have decided that the trip to Salema will be too long, so we are going to stop in Mzuzu, and visit Dennis & Nicky, and maybe have a look around the market. Davison was too pick us up at 8 am, and we were ready, but he did not arrive until after 10 am. (OK, that is getting a little ridiculous), but he had a good excuse. He had driven out towards Salema to check the roads….what a great guy! He said there were a couple of bad spots where we might have to get pulled through, and I had visions of pushing in the mud, so Brad and I stuck with the plan to go to Mzuzu. We headed out just after 10 am and I asked if we could stop at the Makuzi Beach Lodge, because I had met the owners on the flight back to Jo’burg last year. Davison, said and I quote “No problem, it is only a short distance off the road”, however that short distance (about a half mile) was a very narrow trail and quite rough. It totally amazes me that they have these great lodges next to the lake, but none of them have good access roads, in fact you would not want to take a car down any of them. Vans will get there, but a 4 wheel drive would be best.
The Lodge is very nice, and we had refreshments in the bar while waiting for the owners to come over from their house. Brett, the owner arrived after a few minutes and we had a good visit. Lara was actually the one that I sat beside on the plane, but unfortunately she was still resting from a big trip she had just returned from. Back on the road after about a half hour, and then we made another stop at the little market set up where we had to turn to go to Mzuzu. This is where Brad and I got some great souvenirs last year, at the best prices around. I purchased 2 hand carved wooden bowls, a fisherman in his canoe, some wooden salad forks, and a small globe this time around. They did not have any of the Jewellery that Penny liked so will have to wait until we get to Lilongwe. We arrived in Lilongwe around 3:00 pm, and we had late lunch at the hotel. Brad and I then decided to go for a walk to the market, which is about a half mile away, as we knew the way from last year. Good thing we took umbrellas, as it rained shortly after we left and did quit until after we returned. It was a very light rain though. We did not make any purchases, as this market is mostly, food, clothes, hardware, etc. for the locals. We returned to the hotel around 5 pm, and Dennis phones my room to tell us to come for a “Green”. We met them in the bar, got caught up on what they had been doing, and then headed to the restaurant in the hotel for supper. After supper Dennis showed us a video of some kids singing out at the school they visited, they were amazing. I have asked him for a copy of the video clip. Tomorrow we head to Lilongwe, and Wyatt will be arriving from Australia on Tuesday for a short visit.
BIG STORM LAST NIGHT! The wind started picking up about 3:30 AM and the rain and wind were really wild for about an hour. It was raining in my hut, or so I thought at first. I could feel this really fine mist coming down on me, but I could not tell where it was coming from, as I could not see that it would be coming through the thatch roof, and at the front there was a large porch, which covered most of the front of the hut. I finally realized that the wind was blowing so hard off the lake, and right at the front of my hut, that it was pushing the rain through a small screen (vent) at the top peak of the hut. It was kinda refreshing with the mist falling, but I moved my suitcase into the bathroom area to keep from getting everything wet. Well today, is a travel/sightseeing day. Brad and I have decided that the trip to Salema will be too long, so we are going to stop in Mzuzu, and visit Dennis & Nicky, and maybe have a look around the market. Davison was too pick us up at 8 am, and we were ready, but he did not arrive until after 10 am. (OK, that is getting a little ridiculous), but he had a good excuse. He had driven out towards Salema to check the roads….what a great guy! He said there were a couple of bad spots where we might have to get pulled through, and I had visions of pushing in the mud, so Brad and I stuck with the plan to go to Mzuzu. We headed out just after 10 am and I asked if we could stop at the Makuzi Beach Lodge, because I had met the owners on the flight back to Jo’burg last year. Davison, said and I quote “No problem, it is only a short distance off the road”, however that short distance (about a half mile) was a very narrow trail and quite rough. It totally amazes me that they have these great lodges next to the lake, but none of them have good access roads, in fact you would not want to take a car down any of them. Vans will get there, but a 4 wheel drive would be best.
The Lodge is very nice, and we had refreshments in the bar while waiting for the owners to come over from their house. Brett, the owner arrived after a few minutes and we had a good visit. Lara was actually the one that I sat beside on the plane, but unfortunately she was still resting from a big trip she had just returned from. Back on the road after about a half hour, and then we made another stop at the little market set up where we had to turn to go to Mzuzu. This is where Brad and I got some great souvenirs last year, at the best prices around. I purchased 2 hand carved wooden bowls, a fisherman in his canoe, some wooden salad forks, and a small globe this time around. They did not have any of the Jewellery that Penny liked so will have to wait until we get to Lilongwe. We arrived in Lilongwe around 3:00 pm, and we had late lunch at the hotel. Brad and I then decided to go for a walk to the market, which is about a half mile away, as we knew the way from last year. Good thing we took umbrellas, as it rained shortly after we left and did quit until after we returned. It was a very light rain though. We did not make any purchases, as this market is mostly, food, clothes, hardware, etc. for the locals. We returned to the hotel around 5 pm, and Dennis phones my room to tell us to come for a “Green”. We met them in the bar, got caught up on what they had been doing, and then headed to the restaurant in the hotel for supper. After supper Dennis showed us a video of some kids singing out at the school they visited, they were amazing. I have asked him for a copy of the video clip. Tomorrow we head to Lilongwe, and Wyatt will be arriving from Australia on Tuesday for a short visit.
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