July 1st, 2013
Kim and I had an amazing weekend! On Saturday a bunch of the volunteers decided to wake up
before the sun so that we could see the sun rise over Lake Malawi. It was so beautiful, but I’m not sure
that the pictures really capture how lovely it was.
After the sunrise, we had breakfast, and then we decided to
hike to the top of Senga Mountain, which rises 350 metres (1148 feet) above the
village of Lifuwu and yields a commanding view of most of central Malawi. The terrain was very
challenging—grasses up to your shoulders, boulders the size of minivans, and
scattered trees. There really was
no trail to speak of, so Olivia, one of the Swiss volunteers and I tried our
best to find a way up the mountain.
At least we didn’t run into any black mambas or hyenas! After about three hours of hiking, we
reached the summit.
After reaching the summit, we walked down the ridge of the
mountain to a lakeside resort called the Safari Beach Lodge. On the way down, we saw a few monkeys
in the woods.
The food was very good at the Safari Beach Lodge. Kim had a cheeseburger—the first cheese we’ve had since
arriving in Malawi, and I had a sandwich with fries. The Malawian beer “Kuche Kuche” was quite weak (3.7 % ABV), but cold and
delicious after the long hike. Here is a shot of everybody from our hostel--from left to right: Zohair, Olivia, Keenan, Esther, Kim, Nicola, and Me.
At
the end of the day, once we got back to our hostel, we pretty much immediately
went to bed, but not before we saw a magnificent sunset over Lifuwu village.
On Sunday, we chartered a boat from a Malawian friend of
ours named Moses. He took us to
Lizard Island, which has some large monitor lizards. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a good shot of any giant
lizards, but we did get to test out our snorkeling gear. We saw quite a few Cichlid fish, which
are bright blue and quite stunning. We don’t have an underwater camera, so you are out of luck. I guess you'll have to come to Malawi and see for yourself!
I gave my friend, Andrea the site so she could follow your adventures, too. Her daughter is in Swaziland researching for her PhD. Your posts are excellent and both Martin and I enjoy reading them. We will have much to talk about when you get back. I'm so glad, even though some of it 'somehow seems wrong' that you are trying to experience everything you can while you are there. Your final interpretation of it all will be better for it.
ReplyDeleteIt will also inform your work in a better way as you move forward. We're so proud of both of you for doing this and so very happy you are enjoying every minute.
It is fascinating to follow your weekend trip. Nature is always wonderful and inspiring when we approach it with good will in our intention.
ReplyDeleteYour story also recalls my memory: In a year end orchid society meeting some time ago, a botanist revealed in her presentation that Malawi is the home (endemically) for countless numbers of undescribed orchid species (plant that occurred through natural process, not a man made hybrid)
Therefore, the next time when Adam and Kim are hiking through the bush and happen to see an epiphytic plant (a small plant that hanging on tree’s branch or trunk to reach out to sun light, but not necessary a parasitic plant), that humble creature can be an orchid species unknown to the world!
In that case, can you guy spare some minutes, with your camera zooming close to that plant and…Click… make a photo shot (a macro shoot when it is possible).
Let my dream goes splendidly: one day in the future, who know the orchid lovers around the world will be proud to own orchid plants bearing a scientific name such as: Aerangis adamii or Lealia kimmyii or Miltonia bétii… :-)
To be more realistic, I will be glad paying you guy a million (in Vietnamese currency "đồng")for the right using these photos in my future monthly ptt presentation at my orchid society meeting :-). Meanwhile, take care and have it the best of everything.
Bố.