After a quick breakfast at the Tan Swiss hotel, just outside the Mikumi National Park (Tanzania), we were back on the road again. Once again, what was supposed to be a 6:30am (SA time) breakfast and 7:30am departure ended up being a 6:20am breakfast and 6:30am exit (prompted of course by our chief in command, Ray Muller).
Feeling a lot better than the day before (having started a malaria treatment just in case), I jumped at the back of Ullie. We have been on the road two days in a row and the group is certainly feeling the aftermath. We were definitely looking forward to some R&R time in Malawi (in two-day’s time). The plan was to ride until the border (about 524kms) and find accommodation just before entering Malawi at a tea plantation.
The road was absolutely spectacular. Riding on a motorcycle gives you a whole different perspective altogether. You are alert at all times and enjoy an array of aromas that you otherwise don’t get to experience when travelling inside a vehicle. You can smell firewood and charcoal burning, mealies cooking on the grill and rubber tyres smouldering as trucks and busy taxis zoom by you.
We rode through windy roads surrounded by hills, dominated by an incredible Baobab forest. The amazing display of grey baobab trees against the yellow savannah and orange soil was a real treat.
Although Tanzania was very dry, we could enjoy a manifestation of spring colours (green, yellow, orange and red trees and bushes) all along our journey to the border. The terrain was always different, from bushes and trees to marshlands, to savannah, to planted forests.
We passed a very dry section of yellow, savannah hill tops at one point; thorny greyish trees that looked like cobwebs on a yellow canvas. It was extremely warm; almost reminding us of our passage through Egypt and Sudan..giving Sakkie some unwanted flashbacks and Kenny discomfort to say the least!!
Turning left towards the Malawian border, we started climbing up into the highlands; with endless banana and tea plantations, enjoying a bountiful display of valleys and ridges in the distance. Sakkie, unfortunately, had an accident as we were climbing up the mountain. Losing a minute of his concentration, he rode on-top diesel and slid on the tar. He picked up the pieces while Andre sanded down his tyres and got back on his bike like a champion.
The plan all of a sudden changed and we found ourselves coming to the Tanzanian (Mbeya) and Malawian border after 645kms. After getting our passports and visas stamped for exit and entry and after changing currency, we hit the road to Karonga. Hello Malawi!
Sometimes we drive so quickly and for so many hours that we forget to appreciate or even realize that we have yet again crossed another border and another country. It’s only when we stop or arrive at our destination that we truly start reminiscing on our journey and realize how privileged we are to be able to travel Africa and see and experience what not many people have had the opportunity or ever will get the opportunity to see and experience in their lifetime. We are truly blessed.
Malawian people are very friendly. We were greeted by many smiling and cheering crowds; especially the children. As the sun was setting, we passed by children playing football (soccer), virgins walking the streets in their white dresses and crowns and trucks loaded with passengers and nuns singing songs.
We all regrouped at a petrol station while Ray went to see about a place to stay. Our usual hang-out, everyone made themselves comfortable, sitting on the ground at the station, sipping on some fanta and coca-cola. Ray organized us a last minute place to stay, the Sumuka Inn, in Karonga, Malawi.
I had ridden my record of 700kms today (Yippeee, although my butt wouldn’t agree!). Thanks to Ullie, we arrived safely and had recovered his top case that fell off the bike when we hit a huge pothole just after we entered Malawi.
Everyone gathered in the hallway (our designated bar area) and sipped on a few beers, joking around, reminiscing about the day’s events, and praising Sakkie for taking his fall “like a man”. Ullie spontaneously started the floating trophy procedure. He gave his trophy to Kenny (who had literally changed colours with the heat). Jacques offered his trophy to Sakkie for being a tough boy and just because he felt bad for his injuries.
Marlene gave her trophy to Ray in hopes that the man will calm down and more specifically slow down. Archie gave his floating trophy motorcycle to Marlene, just because! Ray offered his trophy (g-string) to Ullie because he hadn’t listened the first time about tying down his top box.
The plan for tomorrow: ride another 600kms from Karonga to Mzuzu to Nkhata Bay, to Salima and on to Senga Bay at the Livingstonia Hotel (Sunbird). Only then will we get our R&R time. Rocknroll is predicted for 7am tomorrow morning.
After a yummy dinner, we all headed to our rooms and passed out. Brian had the Chambo fish and after using his fork and knife, resumed to his hands and teeth, desperately trying to nip at some meat (the Chambo fish are definitely on the skinny side). The rest of the dishes consisted of chicken curry and chicken masala, soup, salad and fish fillets.
What a day!
