Part 2: Malawi

Our objective was Cape McClear, a quiety little village on the very end of a peninsula that jets out from the southern point of the lake. A little further down the peninsula, behind Cape McClear and a couple mountains, was Monkey Bay, a well known tourist destination on the lake.  We made it to Monkey Bay late in the afternoon, and knew that even though it was only something like 17km away, getting to Cape McClear would be a challenge.Chapas were available, but they were rare and densely packed with anything and everything that needed to get there.  We ended up finding some space on the bed of a pick-up truck.  I spent the entire ride dangling off the back corner.  On the bright side though, I was probably in the best position if we needed to abandon ship somewhere along the windy road that cut through the mountains.

We spent three days fighting with an unhappy British  disc jokey, exploring the town, enjoying the beach, and watching a sunset each night that lit fire to the sky.

Here are my thoughts on Malawi in short:

• English is the National Language, but no one knows any.
• If you are white and in a tourist area, you might as well paint a target on your back.
• Chapa drivers and Cobradores in Malawi just want your money.  They'll tell you they are going your way just to get you on board.  If you want to know where a chapa is going, then ask one of the passengers.
• Once you get out of touristy areas, Malawi is actually pretty awesome.  Easier said than done though.
• Don't stay at the french guys place in Blantyre. He sucks.
• Malawi...meh.  I don't ever wanna go back.

After Malawi, we headed back into Mozambique.

Amsterdam, Disneyland, Tel Aviv...

Our first glimpse of the lake. And then there were monkeys in the road and it was so cool.  Then we had to stop again for monkeys.  Still kinda cool.  The third time though, those monkey started getting on my nerves.

REBECCA LOOK AT THIS PICTURE

I've got my corner on the back of this fully stocked and filled pick-up truck.  And it's uncomfortable.

Early morning swim.

It's a touristy place, but that doesn't mean the women aren't still gonna flock to the lake in the morning to do their laundry.

Making a dugout Canoe. 

The Hostel Manager where we stayed was a great guy, he offered to cook for us one night, and we ended up getting what was probably the best meal of the trip out of it.  We asked for something standard in Malawi.  Like, something his mom used to make for him when he was a kid.  Something special and delicious.  His eyes lite up, and this feast is what we got.

Pretty good dinner at the psychotic French guy's place, but also, pretty psychotic frenchmen.