Today was one of the most relaxing days so far on the Serengeti Trip 2011 and that’s the way we planned it. After two days of being stranded next to the road we decided to spend my birthday in stunning Nkhata Bay on the shore of Lake Malawi. For the first time in some days we slept in and then slowly made our way down to the bar where we treated ourselves to full English breakfasts. Soon after we collapsed in front of the television to watch some sport. The truth is: we actually watched the whole cricket match between South Africa and Ireland! I know, I know – why would one spend your birthday on your back watching cricket? To be honest, I couldn’t think of a better way to spend it here in Malawi since both of us were dead tired and completely sports-deprived. Fortunately South Africa won! Thank you to everyone who sent birthday sms's - I loved hearing from all of you!
You’ll be happy to know that we did go down to the beach too. Our camp, Njaya, is located on a steep slope right next to the lake and at the bottom of the lush gardens is a small private beach with breathtaking views over the water. The more time I spend here, the more I want to come back…for much longer!
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| Words can't describe the beauty... |
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| The lush Njaya camp |
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| The beach below our camp |
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| Classic Malawi |
One frustration we’ve had in Malawi is the fear of getting bilharzia. Apparently the disease occurs throughout large parts of the country and some say that you are virtually guaranteed of catching it if you swim in the lake. Locals believe otherwise, especially here in the north of the country. We are not willing to take chances, however, since we’ve gone through the trip without any major health problems. The son of a friend visited Malawi recently and got a very bad case of bilharzia, confirming suspicions and making us even more cautious.
The plan is to drive to Mzuzu Toyota very early tomorrow morning so that we’re the first customers when the doors open at 08:00. If all goes well we’ll have all our brakes working with enough time to spare to get us to Lilongwe before sunset. As you may have noticed we have not been able to stick to our original itinerary. It was always a rough one, though, and with extra days spent at great campsites and unforeseen breakdowns it was never going to be possible to stick to it 100%. We’ve had to make a tough decision regarding our route back home and have decided to skip South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. This will allow us to spend at least four or five nights in Mana Pools – a reserve we both really want to explore – and it saves us valuable money that is now needed to fix the Hyena. Breakdowns such as the one we’ve had are not cheap. Skipping South Luangwa is a huge setback, but gives us a great reason to come back in the future! I’ll pop in there when I come up to visit Malawi again!
Before I end the post I’d like to wish my great friend, Servaas Verster, a very happy birthday! It’s a tragedy that we can’t spend Vilvaas Day together today, but next year we’ll go all out for our 30th birthday!!! Liese, ek hoop jy’t darem vir Valie bietjie bederf!??
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| VilJ & Die Sir - 29 and counting... |
Oor en uit.
Villiers
Highlight of the day:
Villiers: The views over the lake from Njaya camp
Ji: The cricket
Lowlight of the day:
Villiers: Spending another Vilvaas Day without Servaas
Ji: That Robbie P played so well!
10 comments:
Pragtige foto's! bly julle kon die dag geniet en krieket kyk. Sal aan julle dink more. Voorspoed en lekker slaap.
Bly om te hoor jy het jou B-day geniet Villiers! En JI die krieket... ekt ook lekker gekyk vandag en so bly die ouens het die knoop so maklik deurgehaak!
Julle moet ons maar op hoogte hou van julle planne en wanneer julle hier verby gaan kom, hoop nie die kar-moeilikheid het julle dinge nou so deurmekaar gemaak dat julle nie hier gaan oorstop nie...
Villiers hoop die jaar wat voorle hou net voorspoed in. Wonder hoe was die trip in die taxi of ook bekend as openbare vervoer. Wees verseker dat die voertuig se breek lank onthou sal word en later met smaak met ander gedeel sal word. Die fotos wat julle met ons deel kan net as asemrowend beskryf word. Hou ons op hoogte van wat julle beleef.
ek wil DAAR wees. Dit lyk amazing..........wow. Hoop jy geniet jou laaste paar ure van jou vejaarsdag vilj.....en gaan groot engel....onthou jou verassings wag!!!! hehehe. Lekker slaap
A big Happy Birthday!!!
Don't know if my sms got through, so thought I would wish you one here as well :) Glad to hear that you had such a relaxing day in stunning Malawi after the stress of the last couple of days - I hope things will run smoothly from here with the hyena! And still many magical things to come on the trip as well :)
All the best thoughts and a big birthday hug from me!
Dooms ek is so saam met jou met daai low light!!
Hallo julle twee!! Bly jy kon jou verjaarsdag geniet en hoop die jaar wat op bou na die groot 30 is Great!!
Fotos lyk rerig awesome daar!! lyk soos of julle lekker gerus het!! enjoy!!!!
Dit lyk amazing!!! Wow - jy kan nie vir beter vra op jou verjaarsdag nie!
Baie baie geluk met jou Verjaarsdag VilJ! Mag al jou wildste drome en avonture ook waar word soos die Serengeti trip 2011!
Malawi looks stunning! It's been on my wishlist of places to visit since before I can remember and your photos have reminded me why...:)
Glad you both finally got the chance to regroup yesterday! Good luck with the hyena!
Be safe...:)
Hey Villiers! That is such a stunning camp - I really want to go there! So glad you enjoyed your birthday - next year you'd better invite me for your 30th! ;) I don't think my sms delivered to you, think it's still pending... Unfortunately Bilharzia is common, but just as common in Limpopo. I have had it more than once without even knowing it, and many of my friends here have had it too. They say if you've ever swum in any water in the Limpopo province then you are almost guaranteed to have it. Not fun, so maybe it was best to avoid getting it! Have fun at Mana Pools, Kevin has many fond memories of that place! :)
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