Day 8 – A Day to Relax & Explore.

It was wonderful to wake to a gorgeous sunny morning and enjoy a banquet breakfast once again. We were excited to venture out today past the Blantyre boundary and explore more of Malawi. We set off at 9:30am and soon the city area became rocky country. We passed small villages and street markets selling fruit and coal, chickens, sugar cane and various other items. As we wound down the Blantyre highlands to the flat terrain we crossed the Shire River. David Livingstone once travelled up this river when he first arrived in Malawi as a missionary. The scenery was breathtaking. The villages are full of people and a hive of activity. Many are walking with great loads balanced on their heads, especially the women who also have a baby securely wrapped in a fabric wrap on their backs. Only a few have the use of a bicycle. The roads are busy with people walking to and from the markets. Goats and chickens and the occasional skinny cow wander across the road.

We made our way to the Nyala Conservation Park nestled between sugar cane plantations. Workers emerged covered in soot from burning the cane. Parts of the tracks are covered in molasses which produces a distinct odour. Our driver Highly expertly drove our minibus down the mountain, through the busy villages and transformed it into our safari vehicle. We paid an extra 1000 kwacha ($2 AUD) to have a guide join us on the tour. This equates to one day wage for many in Malawi. We were amazed to see beautiful giraffes, nyala – deer with white stripes and big ears, water buck, monkeys, a wilder beast and zebra.

Lunch was back up the mountain at a beautiful retreat called Fisherman’s Rest. This place is available to support missionaries and those who actively work to improve Malawi. Some of us braved a swim in the freezing pool. We had a fabulous meal of various meats cooked on open coals, salads and freshly baked bread. The couple who run the lodge are passionate people who love Malawi and are dedicated to support the gospel in the country. Guests can volunteer and work in schools running library reading sessions, helping out with school porridge programmes, sanitation and hygiene management sessions. They are also working towards the re-forestation of the local region. A plant nursery has been developed to grow trees native specific for Malawi. This year they have planted 25,000 trees in partnership with local tribes in nearby villages. The people themselves are responsible to care for their own tree and teach children important land conservation. The Blantyre hills once had lush forests covering many kilometres. Now the hills are bare, with much of the timber removed and the ancient forests destroyed. It was wonderful to meet people who not only love the Lord but love Malawi deeply.

Tanya.

(photos from day 7)