Photography highlights...through my eyes

I took these photos with an inexpensive Nikon S570 Coolpix camera which also shot good video.  Photos were taken in April, 2010, in Malawi, Africa.

Road Trip Anyone?  Even though the main highway is paved and sound, I recommend taking the bus on long trips.  The pace is a little slower and the views are fantastic!  You get a peak of villages, markets, people, animals, and daily life in the rural areas as you cruise by.   Bicycling is the main means of transportation in Malawi.  Cheap Chinese bicycles are everywhere in the country.

Whether you drive or take the bus, don't be surprised if you are required to disembark along the way at "security check points."  The police may look through your luggage without explanation as they did twice when I was on the bus.  Mini-buses are everywhere and are an inexpensive alternative to driving; however, I recommend paying a little bit more for a modern 'luxury' coach. An AXA bus service ticket costs about $20 (one-way) to go from Blantyre to Lilongwe, a four hour drive.  The coach is clean, the seats are comfy,  there is air conditioning, and a bathroom with hot water!   If you missed breakfast, not to worry,  a snack of a little dry cupcake, tasty beef samosa, and orange Fanta is provided.

Guests are entertained by music (a bit too loud) streamed over the PA, so bring your own headphones.  I enjoyed rocking out to AC/DC's "Back In Black" in my seat behind the driver, gripping the seat as the bus narrowly missed side-swiping goats, cows, cyclists, and pedestrians along the twisted roads.  Four hours is a long drive for me so I was glad when the bus stopped along the way at a market where I stretched and people bought local tangerines.

 I explored the south to mid-range of the country:

• Arrived via South African Airlines in Blantyre (where I was born) 
• Mom's funeral was in Balaka (where mom was born)
• Easter holiday with the family at Lake Malawi in the Mangoche area
• Followed by another week at the Lake at Nanchengwa Lodge: http://nanchengwa.com/
• Bus to the capital in Lilongwe-stayed at the Kumbali Lodge:  http://www.kumbalilodge.com/
• Bus to Salima-stayed at the Sunbird Livingstonia: sunbird livingstonia
• Bus back to Blantyre

Map of Malawi
Malawi is a landlocked country.  It doesn't feel like it though, when you see how BIG Lake Malawi is.....Notice how Mozambique wraps around the south half of Malawi... Thought it would be cool to travel on the Zambezi River in Mozambique (remember the African Queen?).

Malawi is near enough to Harare, Zim to do a road trip.  Also, would love to see Victoria Falls ...next trip in 2012...stay tuned:)

FAMILY

I have a HUGE family living in Malawi.  I was able to meet many of them and spend one-on-one time with each of my aunties and uncles and cousins.  I was well taken care of by everyone I met.  Each person I met did their best to show me hospitality, fun, assistance, and support.  I have not included each beloved relative in this post; however, they are all in my heart and will be added in future posts...so I have not forgotten you... Salim, Dean, Tony, Jaffar, Anwar, Hajira, Polly,  Uncles Al and Albert, along with the Aunties Sarah, Ed, Katie, Amina, Fatima, Farida, etc.  I love you all and think of you often!!

Granny Vovo

My favorite photo is one of Granny Vovo who lives in Balaka.  She is the matriarch of our family and represents love, loyalty, sacrifice, and perseverance.  Her light and faith remains constant; despite the challenges she faced as a young widow with many children.  It was a blessing to see her again in 2010  and have been deeply moved by her support toward the formalization of the my mom's burial place.  I celebrated her 70th birthday with her in 2002 and plan to celebrate her 80th in 2012!  Go on Granny!

Auntie Hani and Baby

Ahhh...Auntie Hani...We also call her Auntie Nita, but I like Hani because it rhymes with Honey... She and I get along famously (we both love adventure!) and I will never forget her 2001 visit to Tucson, Arizona, when I took her to a biker bar to celebrate her 70th birthday.  This went against my mom's wishes (of course) but we had a fantastic time!  I never knew that bikers love karaoke??

Me and Auntie Zainub

Auntie Z took excellent care of me.  Spending time at her house at the Lake was relaxing and joyous.  She thought of every treat possible and I ate and drank all that was put in front of me!  Fabulous hospitality.

Sisters

What can I say about my cousin/sister Meroo?  Generous, kind, loving, and tireless.  She's an inspiration and I can't wait to have her stay with me for a while in the U.S.  Let's explore the Land of the Free and the Brave for a few weeks together!!   I am seeing a west coast road trip in our future...okay with you....Thelma?

p.s.    Feel free to bring Ash, Lena, and the kids...we'll pretend we are rebel warriors:)

Nganga and her grandson also live in Balaka near Granny Vovo...  Absolutely Beautiful.

Cousin's Night Out

Had a fantastic night out with my cousins...with Nagib, Farid, Sid, and Shane... the girlz... Sharifa, Meroo, and Zaitun.

LAKE MALAWI

Boy at Dusk

Photo taken at Lake Malawi over Easter weekend during an evening beach walk.  The boy was sitting on a rock while fishing.  It looks like he took a moment to enjoy the view of the boat heading out for night fishing along with the hill in Mangochi in the background.

Men in Boat by Rocks

Me and my little dolphin-niece, Maya.    Isn't she lovely?   

Ryan the Fisherman

Ryan Long, my host at Nanchengwa Lodge, and one of the many fish he caught when he took me, his father-in-law and another house guest fishing.  Ryan is married to a lovely lady named Daynie.  I was entertained by the free spirit of their beautiful daughter, nicknamed fishy.

Speaking of fish...We ate fresh fish almost every day I was at the Lake.  Fried, braaid, stewed, or even dried.  My favorite fish to eat is chombo (aka talapia) which was super tasty fried!!

Romaana with lolli

I had some fun editing this photo, which I originally shot at dusk (same time as Boy at Dusk).  It was too dark to appreciate my niece, Romaana, holding her lollipop and looking naturally beautiful; therefore,  I fixed it!

MALAWI BEACH PROJECT

 

Me and Grace

Grace is a little girl I met on the 3.5 hour bus ride from Lilongwe to Salima.  Her voice caught my ear because I could hear her strong soprano voice ringing out over the older children on the bus as they sang along the way.  She was one of three hundred orphans that came on day trips to Lake Malawi, as part of Malawi Beach Project 2010, sponsored by the U.S. organization, Youth of Malawi.   Most of the children had never been to the Lake before.  The sounds of pure joy filled my heart with deep satisfaction.  It was an honor to join this group and a blessing to bring my niece Romaana along with me on this little adventure.  Love to Ryan Coutu, President of Youth of Malawi, with me below:

Kids don't get much cuter than this little guy... I couldn't take my eyes off him.  Malawi has almost one million orphans, according to 2009 United Nations statistics.  Why then, can only married couples adopt children?  Why restrict single men and women from adopting children when there is such a need? 

OTHER PHOTOS

Lanterns

The lanterns looked beautiful to me, as they sat on a table at my grandmother's house in Balaka.  They really came in handy when the power  went out in the evening after my mom's funeral.  I sat with my family in lantern and candle light that evening, comfortable and cozy, talking until bedtime.

Baby in a Bucket

One of the cutest pictures I took was this baby placed in a bucket by her mother who was selling fruit and veggies in the parking lot of St. Andrews International Primary School in Blantyre.

Cousin Meroo couldn't resist playing with the baby:)

Hair braiding was the perfect solution for my hair that had become out of control due to swimming.  Too bad it didn't last long, but least it only cost me about $7.00 (which I was later told was too much to pay:)

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