When we returned to the Lodge last night we were greeted by millions and millions of Lake Flies you can see them out over the lake and it looks like black smoke. Every once in a while they decide to come to shore and last night was that once in a while. They are harmless more of a nuisance than anything else; they are attracted to the lights so we were instructed not to keep any lights on in our rooms because the flies are small enough to get through the screens. I worked on my lap top with only a small battery powered lamp and I was still swatting flies. In the morning they were gone again.
We had a great lightning show over the lake at 2:30 am it was a great show that I watched for a few minutes before going back to sleep. I guess that during the rainy season this is a common occurrence it reminded me of the lightning shows back on the prairies.
We arrived at the SACCO at our usual time and we worked on our own for a bit until Davison came in and met with us for the balance of the morning. In the afternoon Davison took us to the Dwangwa Market for a visit. It is amazing what you can find at these markets, they have everything you need from food to cloths to repair shops etc.
Davison let me dive back through the crowded market to the SACCO this was fun as it was only my third time this trip I got to drive and over here in Malawi you drive on the left hand side of the road. So far I have only hit the windshield wiper control twice when trying to turn on the signal light but it is a little weird judging the distance on your left. I got us back safe and sound with only one close call when I was passing a bike rider and only missed him with the mirror by 3 to 5 inches, oh well no harm no foul.
We knocked off a little early today and made it back to the lodge in time to take a boat up the lake to where the hippos and crocks live. So Bruce and I boarded this boat that resembled the boat from Gilligan's Island we only hope it is not longer than a three hour tour. We got up to where the animals were supposed to be but with all the mud in the water from the rains they were too far back in the bush to see. Oh well the boat ride alone was worth the price of admission. Our Captain was named Karma and the first mate was named Gilligan (just kidding his name was Sequoya) treated us royally and didn't even ask us to get out and push when the motor quit. They got it going again after working on it for ten to fifteen minutes and we returned to the Lodge after dark. Chris the Lodge owner was getting worried but we came back before he had someone come out to look for us.
We finished the day off with a late supper and some work on our reports.
Stay tuned for more exciting (at least it is to me) stories from Malawi
Our Cruiser
Fishermen on Lake Malawi
This is where the hippos were suppose to be they were hiding in the bushes.
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