Onwards to the end


Arusha was great fun but Dan and I knew deep down that this was the final fling, I didn't want him to leave and I know that he didn't want to leave, but he made the tough decision that he and I knew was the correct one. Miss you loads mate that's all I can say.

Wiek's I will be back for that drinking competition!!

The British team is now outnumbered by the Belgian team a rare event on any occasion but unheard of so far on this trip. But on we go!

Having done the original crossing into Tanzania illegally the landies were un-insured and as such illegal, we obtained insurance in Arusha on advice from the Via Via crew and the 20 dollar layout was rewarded 150km down the road at a police checkpoint where even my tyres were checked by something that resembled a cross between Aritha Franklin and Mike Tyson in a dress (cheers Jeff).

On the way towards the border we passed through yet another national park the wildlife was startling with elephants and giraffe seemingly around every corner, it was even better as it was free!

After getting into Malawi (legally - makes a nice change) we decided to head as far as we could to make it to the lake. Unfortunately, the Belgians were low on diesel and the night was getting close so we decided to hole up in a place called rhumpe. Sven and I decided to check out the local hotspot and entered a scene from a bad seventies film. Don't ask me why but Africans appear to enjoy watching themselves dance? Mirrors everywhere and blokes doing staying alive moves! As per usual we took it easy on the drinks and sauntered back to the motel early……..

The next day we made it to our first "chill out" destination on the lake (you remember Dan, that thing we were always going to do at the next place) we decided to stay at a place called Kande Beach simply because one of my friends dads owns it a good choice it was too as we proceeded to run up a huge bar bill and generally have a laugh, it was on one of these hilarious nights that one of the crew decided to eat a whole solid fuel firelighter! Mentioning no names of course, but it did, look like a piece of Kendal mint cake!

The scenery on and around the lake is pretty amazing and driving anywhere in this small country gives you a diverse amount of scenery, unfortunately what appears to follow you everywhere is the rain (well it is the rainy season) it is fantastic to watch, as you can see literally walls of rain drifting down valleys and straight at you! No problem usually, however, since the accident my doors leak and so does the roof its bloody wet in here!

Further down the lake we stopped at nkata bay at a place called the big blue, huts on and in the lake made this an ideal spot for our second "chill out" session some of the gang from Kande beach were there too and seemed genuinely pleased to see us (christ hadn't we scared them enough) four days of "light" (make your own conclusions here) drinking followed with the odd trip to a local restaurant, well a wooden shed that served dodgy food usually to the back drop of a badly dubbed Chinese kung fu film much to the enjoyment of the locals and Walt!.

Once again we had an excellent time here and a huge thanks go to Bryn, the only other Belgian we met, the Swedish couple in hut 6, the bar staff and the Norwegians especially W-E. Thanks all for the laughs the patience the drinks the late night swims and those crazy nights.

We had to go we had drunk the bar dry on 2 occasions and as such had another huge bill to pay! As we were leaving we were stopped almost immediately at a police check point were I managed to pick my third on the spot fine of the trip, no not for bad driving (in Africa yer joking) for not wearing my seat belt!! Never mind I told everyone its part of the experience! We dropped friends off at Mzuzu city and headed off in the general direction of Lilongwe (sorry the general direction of the rain).

I knew something was wrong I was beginning to feel ill only the next day did it become apparent how ill, as I was in between consciousness and unconsciousness for most of the next day no worries im use to it spend most of my time at work like that!!

So right now I am at Blantyre (recovering) whilst the Belgian team are off hiking on Mount Mulanje the plan is to meet up in 2 days time and continue the quest "to the end!".

As a p.s to this little piece we have got some great souvenirs in this last period it is worth checking up when they are put in the catalogue section we are talking classics.

Gav, 14th March 2002, Blantyre, Malawi


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