Best of Malawi
We visited Malawi for 23 days starting on January 3, 2014. Our stay in this country was delighted with the abundance of two of our favorite fruits, mangos and avocados. Malawian people are kind and friendly, and they made us feel welcomed and part of the heart of Africa. Everywhere we went locals were happy to see Sal’s long beard and hair, calling him “Jesus” with huge smiles. We explored the capital Lilongwe and the towns of Cape Maclear, Monkey Bay, Likoma Island, and Nkhata Bay. We were fascinated with the colorful labyrinth local markets, where everything can be found and sold. The green landscape full of trees with red soil and decorated with square houses of hay roofs always surrounded by corn and cassava plantations. The immensity of the Lake Malawi, the third biggest in the African continent, rewarded us with the sounds of waves, spectacular sunsets, delicious fish, and aquatic adventures. We also had the opportunity to volunteer at Nkhata Bay, getting involved with the community was the most special experience of our stay and the main reason why we dream to return to the country. If you would like to learn more about our days by the lake and volunteering in Malawi be sure to read our articles.
Malawi is classified as one of the poorest countries in the world and for us it has been one of the most memorable ones on the trip. Despite their sad history of slavery, poverty, and government corruption the warm demeanor of their people seems unbreakable. Nations like Malawi make you realize what matters in life and where the richness of humankind truly resides. The country faces the challenge of having an estimate 12% of their population infected with HIV, a high rate of infant mortality, and a very fast-growing population within a very small territory. Recent changes in the government have brought a light of hope, in 2012 the former vice president Joyce Banda became the first woman as head of state.
During our last minibus ride in the country, we witnessed a passionate discussion amongst local passengers regarding the politics and history of Malawi. The only thing we regret about this journey is not having the knowledge of the native language to understand the details of their interesting conversation. We were excited to see the openness and freedom of the people talking about their political views regardless of their disagreements. All the passengers expressed a commitment to exercise their democratic right and responsibility to vote on the upcoming presidential elections in May 2014.
Traveling on Minibus
Below are other great things we enjoyed about Malawi:
Food and Drinks
Kampango Fish: local Lake Malawi fish
Beans and Nsima (maize flour)
Fried Tigerfish
Goat Curry
Carlsberg Beer: brewed and bottled in Malawi
Fish Curry
Mango
Avocados
Favorite Sights and Activities
Scuba Diving in the Calm Waters of Lake Malawi
Volunteering in the Community of Nkhata Bay
Experiencing Lake Malawi in Many Towns and an Island
People
Patrick: from Malawi, met in Monkey Bay
Daniel and Marlena: from Sweden, met on the ferry to Likoma Island and spent some great times traveling together on the island and in Nkhata Bay.
Alice and Josie: from England, owners of the hostel, Butterfly Space, where we stayed in at Nkhata Bay and have tons of volunteer opportunities, very inspiring people.
Baz and Lucy: from England, met at the hostel in Nkhata Bay. They were also volunteering at Butterfly Space.
Richard: from England, met at the hostel in Nkhata Bay. He was volunteering at Butterfly Space.
Scott: from England, met at the hostel in Nkhata Bay. He was volunteering at Butterfly Space.
Dino and Federica: from Italy, met at the hostel in Nkhata Bay.
Ofanuel: from Malawi, manager at the hostel in Nkhata Bay.
Christoph and Teresa: from Germany and Austria, originally met in Zambia and ran into them again in Cape Maclear.
Animals Viewed
Lake Malawi Fish
Native Words (Chewa)
Akazi = Women
Amuna = Men
Kwacha = Liberty
Zikomo = Thank you
