Diary: August 2001
Hi All,
Finally got to an internet cafe!
A brief update (I'm still working on the diary):-
Left Maun and headed up to the Kazungula ferry via Moremi and Chobe
National parks. Didn't go into Moremi as we saw all the game we wanted to
outside the park. It was here that I had a "Wild dog experience" more of
which in the diary update.
Kazangula ferry to Livingstone where of course I went to see Vic Falls. Did
the southern half of Kafue Nat Park, which was very dissapointing game
viewing wise. Onto Lusaka for Visas etc. Headed north to Lake Tangnika.
Spent 5 days at the lake, it was wonderful, camped on the lake shore. Some
of the finest sunsets I've evere seen.
South east then towards Malawi and Karonga. Had some paperwork problems at
the border! The Zambians had abandoned there half of the border, and I still
had to clear my Carnet de passage. In the end I found a border post on the
way down south, and with a bit of "smooth talking" convinced the Zambian
customs to stamp my Carnet.
A couple of days at Cape Maclear then into Mozambique again at Mandimba.
I'd wanted to take the road from Lichinga to Montepeuz, but was told that
the bridges were out, and I'd have to go via Cuamba and Maruppa to
Montepeuz. The 245 km's to Marupa were a doddle, and we did it in an
afternoon, but the 220 km's to Montepeuz were awful took 2 days, and one the
first day I only managed 55 km's ! got stuck a few times, and neened some
local "man-power" to get me going again. I met a guy doing a
"departure-destination" survey at Maruppa, when I later met him again in
Pemba he told me I was only the 10th vehicle to do that stretch of road in
the last 7 months, and that 4 of them had turned back to Maruppa after 10
km's or so! Still it was great fun even if it did cost me two new front coil
springs.,
Spent five days in Pemba, diving and sunbathing. The highlight of which was
snorkelling with a 12 meter humpback whale! We'd just surfaced from the
first dive when we spotted it. So we tore off after it in the dive boat,
doned our mask and fins, and over we went. Awsome to say the least!
Mozambique was suffering a diesel shortage, which lenthened my stay in
Pemba. I wasn't complaining! My travel companions Eddie and Cecile had other
problems:- the ferry over the Zambezi wasn't running, and the bridge was
impassable. There other option was to head up north to Malawi with me, but
Cecile didn't have a re-entry visa for Malawi. We parted ways at Mocuba
where Eddie decieded to head south in the hope that the ferry would soon be
back in operation.
Back into Malawi at Mulanje and I'm now in Blantyre having just had Maggies
front springs relaced. (both broken)
Probably going to pop back down to Mulanje for some walking/climbing before
heading up to the Lake.
Sorry it's a brief report, but I'll try and get some serious typing done
whilst sitting on the lake shore.
Take Care
Colin & Maggie