Kach Solo Travels in 2017: Side Trip to Lake Malawi ❤️
Hello guys, this is Kach again and I'm still on my 2-month solo travel around Africa! From Zambia, I took a 13-hour bus to reach Lilongwe, Malawi where I spent the last 3 nights so far with a side trip to Lake Malawi. As a Philippines passport holder, I was able to get a visa on arrival at the border after paying $75 (for a 1-month visa) and no other requirements aside from the form and my passport.
I'd love to go to more places because my mother-in-law and Jonathan told me about the beautiful places to visit here, they lived here for 6 years when he was a kid! ❤️ Sadly, what I realized is that it's not that easy to go around this land-locked African country, public transportation is not that reliable and the tour companies are expensive. The only way to do it is to DIY by renting a car but my driver's license is expired so I ended up hiring a car with a driver and paid $100 for the trip to and around Lake Malawi from Lilongwe.
Malawi is called the "warm heart of Africa" because the people are very nice and hospitable which I experienced in the last few days. Life is tough here and according to my driver, the monthly salary here is only $50. The sad reality of life but the people I met were generally happy. It's hard to avoid meeting some locals who would ask for money from you, not begging but just asking.
Anyway, I'm staying at the only 5-star hotel in Lilongwe called, President Walmont in Umodzi Park.. an incredible view from my 9th-floor suite! Most of the diplomats, NGO workers, and business people were staying here (met some guys working for UN, World Bank, and some South African companies) and they were surprised I'm here in Lilongwe as a tourist. Why not, coconut? 😂 Really good food at this hotel - I had their local/ national fish and also a massive T-bone steak all for myself aside from buffet option for breakfast and lunch! lol 😂
Well, I know we will come back here because Jonathan wants to visit again the place where he grew up! ❤️
Positive vibes everyone! Hope these photos will remind us that we're in so much better position in life, be grateful! ❤️
Leaving later and I'm off to RWANDA then UGANDA to hike and see some endangered gorillas and chimpanzees.
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P.S. My photographer for this trip is my driver! hahaha! My photos from the last few countries I visited were mostly by the driver, tour guides, or hotel employees! Lucky monkey 🙈