Journey to Livingstonia
It was the moment I arrived at the crossroads of Livingstonia and Chitimba and was ushered on the back of a piled up truck, that I realised I was having a true African experience. The ride from Mzuzu had only taken a few hours and seed even less as I slept the whole way and had to be woken as we got to Chitimba. I had learned from other travellers that coming across a ride up the mountain, 15km along a series of intense switchbacks, was either hit and miss. For me it was a hit and it turned out that as soon as I arrived, a truck packed with locals and goods was about to head up the steep narrow stretch. I hopped on, paid 1800mk/$4 and held on for dear life as I balanced on the side edge of the truck. Bend after bend passed by over the course of half an hour or so, until we reached the sign for 'The Mushroom Farm' where I was staying for two nights. I hopped off, gave my thanks and headed down the dirt trail to the Eco lodge. The place was as awesome as I had been told. It was fully sustainable, with renewable energy for everything, fresh vegetarian food, their own chickens/ducks, an array of quirky cliff side accommodation and needless to say- an incredible view of the mountain ranges and beautiful Lake Malawi.
I had been in contact with the lodge about volunteering here so they knew me when I arrived. I had an amazing lunch - open veggie burger with avocado, tomato and onion with seasoned potato wedges. It blew my mind. I met some of the other guests and had a great time giving travel advice to one of the girls travelling to Tanzania soon. I wandered around the place, took some time to myself on a rock perched above the majestic view below me, took some photos and planned a full day of adventure the next day. I planned to visit Malawis tallest waterfall- Manchewe Falls and walk 2hrs to the town of Livingstonia itself. Maybe even do some yoga in the morning before it all! It was good to be or and about travelling again.
To be continued...
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