3rd April 2011. 135kms. Kasungu Inn to Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. The end of the Malawi Gin section.

This place has an interesting story that Josh could tell you all about.  It's all about the key and the owner.

This lazy guy just layed in the wheelbarrow for about an hour while we sat down and rested.

2 of my very good friends. Peter Lamond to the Left of screen and Mr Rodney Hilton Sanders to my right. Taken at the Ngara resort a place which brings back fond memories for josh and myself.

Photo of the day. Some beautiful school kids in Malawi.

These 2 guys I met at Chitimba Camp.  The guy on the left is a gay mexican porn star.  Don't know about the other bloke.

I love taking photos of signs. Malawi

We left the Kasungu Inn at 6.15am with the notion of getting to the capital Lilongwe as soon as possible.  Luke had booked the Riverside Hotel for 3 nights during our 2 rest day which we need so much.

I rode with Peter Lamond today.  Peter and I joined a big group and rode with them until the mandatory toilet stop on the side of the road.  The towns were littered with thousands of children calling out for money whilst the parents watched on.  I am really surprised how the young girls who look about 10years of age are carrying babies on their backs.  This goes on in nearly every town we come across.  The towns are small with about 20 shacks all selling the same stuff.  Business must be real slow in this part of the world

We didn’t stop for a coke today and just pushed on with the wind behind to the lunch break at 72kms.  The first part of the day was magnificent rolling hills with lush green corn/banana/cassava plantations and huge granite peaks rising out of the ground all on their own.

After a nice lunch we got back on the ride for a leisurely ride into the capital.  The road at stages became really congested and dangerous, so we had pay particular attention to the cars/buses/trucks coming up from the rear.  There’s always the odd occasion when you have to get off the road and hit the dirt otherwise you’ll be run over.

The road continued to climb to about the 120km mark and from there it was a fast downhill run into town.  So far the winds had been favourable for the past two days, but today was even better with a beautiful sunny day with us all the way.

The traffic as we got closer to the city was bordering on madness.  The big problem is the minivans that are used as large taxis have a habit of overtaking you and then pulling off the road at the same time.  This calls for a rip on the brakes so you don’t smash into the dumb ass driver.  You can swear and call them all the names under the sun and it won’t make a difference to their erratic driving.  Why? Because it’s Africa.

We arrived at Mabuyu Camp Lilongwe at 12noon.  Not a bad 135kms for the day. After a nice cold shower and putting a clean set of clothes I was ready for lunch prior to heading off to the Riverside Hotel instead of smelly Tent Hilton.

We arrived at our hotel and found it to be basic but with a shower, toilet and TV in the room, it wasn’t that bad after all.  We had a nice dinner at the hotel and now just laying on the lounge watching some TV and chilling out.  So the next 2 days are rest days, time to relax, eat, swim, and play some golf.  Peter Lamond has his birthday tomorrow and Luke Naish has his the day after.  Should be great couple of day.