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From:
Date: 24 Apr 2006
Time: 15:45:24 +0200
Remote Name: 193.220.54.200
After following Lake Malawi for a while there was then a big climb up the escarpment to cut inland and start heading westwards towards Lilongwe. Camping that evening in Mzuzu, there was a wonderful vista from the terrace at the rear of the hotel - the rolling hills we would be climbing and descending for the next couple of days into Lilongwe. The day out of Mzuzu was another big climbing day, gaining 1800m over the course of the day - a lot of it in the rain with Jenny. Another couple of days cycling and we were in Lilongwe for a rest day. From Lilongwe we headed to Chipata and crossed the border into Zambia. From Chipata we had our longest days ride yet, 195k, which I managed even though I was on dish duty that morning and evening. Could have done without washing the cooking pots in my stinky lycra after cycling 195k, but such is life! After another long day into Luangwa Bridge a group of four of us decided to ride into Lusaka a day early to get an extra rest day there. Lusaka was the most western city we had visited since Nairobi, and the upcoming prosperity of Zambia seemed somehow to be reflected in the attitude of the people. Lots of activity and drive about the ordinary city people going about their business. Went to the cinema twice - such normal entertainment in the real world felt like a luxurious treat.