It seems fitting that our first day beyond the Malawi border ended on the beaches of lake Malawi. After a long warm ride we rolled up to the beach and reveled in the cool wind drifting off the waves. Following a quick hippo croc check, we succumbed to the crystal waters and dived in. Stretching for 360 miles, across three countries, this lake is home to crocs, hippos and more fish species then any other lake in the world(wiki).

One would do well by exploring the remote shores and coves with a small catamaran (Tchanzi!). The second best way to see the lake is by motorcycle of course! For 5 days we traveled along the shore, absorbing some serious thunderstorms along the way. Some of these storms could generate ocean grade waves along the shore. I scored a busted windsurf board and gave it my best go on some that Malawian surf.

Aside from some seriously biblical rain storms, lake life was good. The fish out of the lake were unusually delicious as well as the local produce. We were always at risk around our camp of being clocked by a savory mango falling from the branches above, which were perfect for an afternoon snack.

These were not the delicious fish, these are cat fish from a mudhole under a nearby bridge. Katelyn was not buying, even after I generously offered to purchase them all for her, while pointing out the that she could just sling them on her windshield.

We had just packed up and were about to set out from camp in Chitumbe, when the clouds parted to reveal a massive plateau rising from the lake shore. I could feel the paraglider quivering in its bag as perfect flying conditions developed overhead. It was necessary to commit another day to Chitumbe. The sun dried the rough tracks leading up the plateau, offering us full access by motorbike to any number of virgin paraglider launches.

The paragliding mission was a success and the following day we headed out for a morning ride to Tanzania. The sealed roads in Malawi are for the most part in superb condition. They twist and roll through the mountainous countryside.

There is probably only one radar gun in all of Malawi and we found it! Katelyn’s ticket came in at half price. Apparently, there’s a beauty to price formula for fines around here.