Here I am, still in Dar, waiting to hear from the embassy of Qatar about my Visa status, with the possibility of extending for one more night, I am on standby now! And remained like this until few hours before deciding to cancel the idea of riding through Namibia! I went for a walk, when heard about KFC nearby, and thinking should I call “Abdi” to get my passport back? And as I was approaching KFC he texted me with the image of the Visa and promising to send it to my hotel ASAP! Yuppie! I went back and started packing, big day tomorrow, was planning to wake up at 3 and ride to Kisolanza, which I have missed when all were there. It was Normans Birthday. But I went there next day, after a very long ride. Checked in myself, had dinner alone, in that beautiful farm village, only women working, and one tough guy guarding, very simple stay, rooms were called “stables” and service was just great. They offer breakfast at 7:30 but got me some to my room on a tray at 5:30 knowing I would be awake to run to the borders of Malawi! So I woke up next day and was supposed to meet with Tony at the border, since he forgot his passport and some US Dollars! When I have approached the border, I saw UB instead! Wow felt so happy that I am not that late, and could cross with the group. So that was Tanzania, an amazing 8-9 nights, lovely people, the Crater was the top highlight of the trip. Meeting the Qatari Ambassador to Dar, who invited me for lunch, and was too kind with me when took a photo with me to send to his friends and relatives. And one touching thing that I have faced on the way to Dar, when stopped at Liverpool restaurant for tea, this local guy approaches me who was selling nuts. When he was walking around me offering me to buy some, I said: thank you nicely, he didn’t give up, then I felt he was in desperate need for some money, so I bought something, which costs 1000 Shillings. He immediately put his basket in the bus, and took that money to buy himself some tea which costs the same value. That broke my heart, he only needed the money to buy some tea!
The crossing day to Malawi, was not easy, I have ended up riding for 719 KM myself, around 300 KM more than all. That all day I was riding with UB, Malcom and Ade! We did lots of twisties and felt the difference when left Tanzania, Malawi actually is the real Africa compared to Kenya and Tanzania, you would see people always greeting us, women in traditional clothes, carrying big barrels and sacks on their heads. Men always curious to check me out, kids always greet me, this is what makes Malawi, and on top of that, the big lake that identifies them well. This lake is a source of living for almost all Malawi people. On that day, I have started In the dark, and finished my ride in the dark too! So nothing much to do, next day was just a relaxing day, over the beach of the lake, or pool, big breakfast, big lunch and big dinner. Met with Samantha and her husband who welcomes us and tried to convince us all to do some activities, but I guess all were just exhausted to do anything. I just felt sorry for the staff, especially the ladies who were just standing on corridors waiting for orders from the guests, without complaining or getting bored, very sharp faces, but smiling whenever someone approaches them. I had also the pleasure to visit “root to fruit” foundation which was a great concept to encourage people to plant more trees, we need this in Qatar!
Next day ride was shorter, rode through the villages of Malawi, through the Muslim, and Christian village, how happy they are living together, how happy they looked, I would never forget Malawi, and I would come back to it soon, sadly had to leave to Zambia.