Into Africa - DASKOP's 12000km drive

[charlw]

Some more photos taken on the road to Walvis.

That photo of the 3 quiver trees with the mountain in the background is becoming an icon!

I had it blown up to a poster size and is in my kitchen (all my landscape photos have been given new locations - I was recently married. Told my new wife she could move whatever she wanted, except the TV!)

Great report - really enjoying it.

Hi Charl.

Thanks.

I hope it is in the kitchen because your wife likes it................. ot:

Is it the one below?

Yep thats the one!

 

[charlw]

Hi Daskop

Here is the one I took from virtually the same spot.

Enjoying your report.  :thumleft:

 

[DASKOP]

Hi Daskop

Here is the one I took from virtually the same spot.

Enjoying your report.  :thumleft:

Charlw, your photo is absolutely amazing. What camera do you use? I will definitely have to upgrade.

 

[DASKOP]

I found some photos of the drive that we went on while searching for Illovo Cottage.

The surrounding area when you drive to Cape Maclear is still largely virgin forest. Hope it stays that way.


The last photo is where the Fat Monkeys sign is.

 

[Humfree]

Daskop, very nice RR..., really enjoying... keep it up :sip:

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

Still excellent as we have come to expect.

8)

 

[DASKOP]

Thanks guys.

It is great to get feedback that the RR is being enjoyed.          :thumleft:

 

[DirtyTeNeReLess]

make no mistake. even though we dont comment after every edition this is a lekker read, its also nice that its coming slowly. something to look forward to everyday! now hurry up!  :deal:

 

[DASKOP]

About our invite to Lake Malawi.

Murphy was at The Duck aka Permanent Residence No 2 as listed at the Sensus Office.    :biggrin:

He was discussing our, at that stage, planned trip to Malawi. This guy overheard him, came over, introduced himself as Rhys Davies and promptly informed Murphy that as we are going to Lake Malawi, we are to visit them at Illovo Cottage. No debate, that is just the way it is to be. We must just tell them when we will be there. I met Rhys at some time later.

Well as you will see shortly, it was a chance meeting with Rhys that neither Murphy or myself will ever forget and will for ever appreciate. We were to be treated and spoilt like you cannot believe. What a totally amazing experience it was to be.

 

[DirtyTeNeReLess]

now you just teasing!!!! should we know who Mr Davies is? sounds exotic...

 

[DASKOP]

now you just teasing!!!! should we know who Mr Davies is? sounds exotic...

Sorry Boet. I ran out of tea time before I could finish and had a meeting on site. Won't happen again, promise.    :

 

[DASKOP]

Not exotic dXT (can't take you anywhere................. ), but a heck of a nice guy.

Rhys has a home in PE, but resides in Blantyre, Malawi, where he is Manager of Illovo Sugar. They have access to these amazing cottages on the shore of Lake Malawi and it is here that they hosted us.

Rhys and Gaille, his wife, spoilt us rotten.

So, we arrive at the cottage and Steven, the house man, is there to welcome us. He shows us our rooms and we proceed to unpack the bikes and start carrying the kit into the cottage. No sirree, not to be, all of a sudden the Illovo Cottage employees arrive and carry our kit to our rooms. Its like home from home with all the amenities AND more people attending to your needs that you will ever need. But, these guys do it as if it is their pleasure to make you feel comfortable and at home.

Seriously abso...bloody....lutely fantastic.

We have a shower and decide to take a walk along the lake shore to go and have something to eat. We tell Steven that we are leaving and he must please inform Rhys accordingly.

No way Boet. We are asked to just wait a short while. They get the boat ready and ferry us up the lake to the eating places.

If this was any to be an indication of what was to come, then we were in for a treat. One chance meeting at The Duck and here we are, in luxury, on Lake Malawi.

WOW.

 

[DASKOP]

Oops, sorry, the 2nd photo above is out of sequence. That was 2 days later when Murphy wanted to go fishing AGAIN.

Remember ................. on the Okavango at Shametu.


Well, this time Murphy caught...........................................

Waaaaait for it..................waaaaaait for it.............


NOTHING.

Sorry Murphs. We will have to go back and try again............... :ricky:

 

[DirtyTeNeReLess]

shame Murphy dont feel bad, up until now I thought I was the worse fisherman alive. we can drink beer. fishes are myth's anyway.  ot:

 

[DASKOP]

Pizzas at Cape Mac.  (Sorry, it is the Gecko Lounge...thanks Murphy.......be thankful I am not your travel agent)  :imaposer:

The pizzas were great. The view was spectacular. The beers were cold. The sauce was HOT.

Fish eagles did a fly past. The locals were very friendly. The weather was amazing. We had plenty of time.

No pressure.

What more do you want? ??? ???

 

[DASKOP]

Put this on your bucket list:

To walk on the shore of Lake Malawi (after riding there on a bike, of course).  :ricky:

:thumleft:

 

[DASKOP]

After the pizzas, we meander into the village.

The Boma, apparently quite well known among the biking fraternity. Wrecked in a blaze, but reconstruction is taking place. Hopefully it will soon be restored to its former glory.

Anyone been there lately to give an update?

 

[DASKOP]

Scenes from the shore.

 

[MURPHY]

And i really want to go back - now!!!

 

[DASKOP]

Just a reminder Murphy.

The view from Cape Mac. (My apologies...........Gecko Lounge)