Dag 13 / Day 13

Vandag moet daar weereens ‘n grenspos aangepak word, en besluit ek om maar vroeg te wikkel. ‘n Mens weet nooit hoe lank die beamptes by die grensposte jou kan besig hou nie, maar weereens is ek verras. Behalwe vir ‘n beampte aan die Malawiese kant wat met ‘n hoenderboudjie in die eenhand en my paspoort in die ander probeer om paspoort te stempel, verloop alles seepglad en is ek oor die grens in minder as ‘n uur. Een ding wat elke reisiger in Afrika baie versigtig voor moet wees is die hordes wat jou toesak by elke grenspos om geld te wissel. Vind maar eers uit wat die wisselkoers is voor jy ‘n land binnegaan en ruil net genoeg om al die belastings ens by die grensposte te betaal. Wisselkoers by hierdie ouens is baie swakker as wat mens bv. by die banke sal kry.

Oppad na Salima langs die Malawi meer, ry ek ‘n draai deur die hoofstad, Lilongwe en is ek aangenaam verras. Mens sal dink jy's in Suid Afrika met al die bekende handelsname wat hier teenwoordig is. Bereik Salima so ongevveer halfdrie die middag en besluit om by Safari Beach Lodge, langs die Malawi meer te oornag. Die meer is ‘n belewenis en alles en nog meer wat ek verwag het, en jy kan jou maklik verbeel jy sit langs die see.

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Today I will be crossing another border post and decided to leave early. How long border officials will keep you busy you can only guess, again I was surprised. Except for the official holding a chicken breast in the one hand, trying to stamp my passport with the other, everything went smooth. Less than an hour. One thing any traveller should be wary off is the crowd of people attempting to exchange money. Good idea to know what the rate exchange is before entering. Exchange just enough to pay your taxes. Exchange rate with these guys are a lot weaker as at the bank.

On my way to Salima next to the Malawi lake, I travelled through Lilongwe. I almost though I’m back in South Africa noticing all the familiar brands. 3pm I arrived at “Safari Beach Lodge”, next to the Malawi Lake. This exceeded my expectations and you could easily imagine yourself sitting next to the sea.


Zambia-Malawi Border


Lake Malawi 1


Lake Malawi 2