African Adventure part 1 - July 2022

 Warning, this is a long one... You might want to get a cup of tea. 

The last jobs to be done, rapid tests, I got my 4th booster and photos for who knows what and the rest. So done

KC invited us over for an evening meal, which was lovely. BigA packed up the Bongo in the most logical way, I only helped by taking things near it. BigA did some final checks, and realized our fire extinguisher was out of date and set off to get a new one. Which it turned out to be very important as during our travels it was checked quite a few times. 

Then on Sunday, bright and early we set off to try our luck at the Mozambique border. We had so many bits of paper, yet still didn't feel 100% optimistic about getting through. 

We got through, it wasn't stress free but because of BigA's diligence and good humour it went well. The cheapest we had hoped for too, in terms of the visa. It nearly went wrong as we had accidentally 'left' Malawi illegally but luckily BigA noticed we lacked the important stamp and we headed back to the border to leave officially. It really wasn't at all obvious where you were supposed to do passport control and even though we'd had our passports checked three times no one else had noticed. Then back to get the last bits of paperwork done, to officially enter Mozambique. Phew. Our tiny bit of Portuguese and Chichewa may have helped. 

Driving through Mozambique felt similar but different to Malawi. We were asked for more drinks at the various police stops than we're used to, but as we'd given all away at the border, we couldn't really give and that seemed fine. It was more developed and fewer people around. We then crossed the Zambizi river twice to get to our hotel. A very pleasant place by the river. The meal was so welcome, almost as much as the iced cold lager. A was thrilled to have a pavlova. And then an early night for us all. 

The next morning, after a lovely breakfast we set off in what we quickly realized was rush hour traffic to our next border. This one initially seemed ok but then as BigA said 'they forgot to do the entrance stamp' in A's passport my heart sank. The prospect of driving back to the original border to get a stamp almost had me in tears. They seemed helpful but 'couldn't' help. After some odd moments and waiting around, talking and suggestions from helpful but expectant men, BigA was then spoken to again and suddenly everything was fine. But we'd had to give more 'drinks' for it to be possible. We then got through and the visa for Mozambique was much quicker. We carefully checked that we all had the correct stamps and then set off for Harare. 

We can really tell that it is a much less densely populated country, we didn't see many people and the land was sparse and dry. Until we got closer to Harare and then it suddenly seemed more industrialised in the farming and then after a toll road the city began to be clear and we felt like we were in a totally different country. Lots of traffic and shops. Lots of tall buildings looking from a range of eras. The blue familiar sights of Steers and KFC along with government buildings and a couple of very strange and impressive ones. We drove right through the busy and slow moving center to the campsite that was the other side of the city. There we were greeted so warmly we felt we couldn't refuse the discount on the lodge and had a night in the very spacious room.

In the morning it was very cold but fresh, along with a big pile of equally fresh zebra poo on the patio. We sat bird watching while we drank our tea and coffee. Had a simple breakfast and then set off in search of a sim card and coffee shop. We headed back to the campsite which is also a bird sanctuary, along with horses and other animals. It has a children's playground and A and I had a real giggle charging around it, loving being sent back to her and my childhood. We played make believe in the rusted boat, dodging waves and swinging around a strange thing that was a cross between a swing and a seesaw. 

The highlight of the next day was a bird flying display where we all had an owl fly to us. We also had the privilege of a fish eagle and peregrine falcon flying so close we thought they might get our ears. The day was interesting before that too, doing our bit for the Zimbabwe economy by eating out and paying to go to the national art gallery. It only seemed to have one artist on display. Paul Wade. Some interesting sculptures though, not his but I couldn't see who they were credited to. We also went to snake world, probably once a well maintained place but it looked rather sad and neglected. Our guide was Mr Brown, who, when he found out we were from Malawi, gave us a big toothless grin, because so was he. Our little bit of Chichewa added to his smile. He then adapted his information so we knew just how if the snakes there were also common in Malawi. A lovely day together. 

Another cool morning and we packed up to head off to our next destination, Buleweyo. A bit further south and a long drive. The country again looked different, lots more trees than Malawi and Buleweyo is flatter less city like. We camped up and cooked a big evening meal, played cards and had an early night. The sun was up early and we got ready for the day. 

I didn't want to get my hopes up but the day started with us heading off to an MRI unit where I got my 6month scan for my kidneys. It was a really long one, not quite the same resolution as my usual but I got the contrast fluid do all was well.

We then went for a lovely lunch at the art gallery and enjoyed the exhibitions. We also got to talk to some of the artists who have studios there. We looked for other things to do and had to decide between a live dance piece or the cinema. We chose the cinema and saw Thor, in 3D. Popcorn and A had a slushy. Malawi doesn't have a cinema so it was a genuine treat for us all. I cried at the end, miss this next bit of you intend to watch it. Spoiler alert

She died of cancer (or did she) 

And then we did a quick change into something warmer and headed off for an evening meal out. Zimbabwe is not the best for vegetarians. Pizza or pasta, if you're very lucky, a veggie burger. I'm very grateful to my uncle K for breaking my vegetarianism all those years ago. I have the pick of the menu. I chose one of my most favourite things to eat, which will always make me think of my aunty R, unusual for food as they usually make me think of my dad. But it was lovely, we then settled in for the night. Ready for the next week of adventures.