On a new weekend we set out to explore Mount Mulanje which is the highest peak in this area. Being the end of summer, the temperature was soaring.
Trekking to the peak is estimated to be done in 2 to 3 days by hikers. So as commoners we decided to just make a visit.
From Blantyre it took around 2 hours to reach the foot hills of Mulanje. From Blantyre we took the route towards Chichiri, this seems to be a upmarket area housing shopping malls including giants like shoprite and spar. After crossing this we drove towards Limbe then Thyolo district which is full of tea plantations. Unlike in India where tea plantations are on slopes only. Through out the drive your eyes will drink in the natural scenic beauty. The far away hillocks and green plains are just mystic. At the same time the roads built some fifteen years ago are still good and ensures a smooth drive. In spite of the warm weather you enjoy the drive with a mild breeze. We also cross the market - Bvumbwe, a huge one selling vegetables, fruits, live stocks and clothes imported from China. On reaching Mulanje we turn left while the road we drove in goes all the way to Mozambique.
On reaching Mulanje district we are welcomed by the local market and few lodges and restaurants mainly for the hikers. After this starts the road leading to the mountain, which is quiet rough. We can now see a huge mount, grayish with vegetation here and there. The villagers here are into farming, we can see many carrying fertilizers in cycle backs. Some of them carry fallen woods.
At the entrance we are charged 1000 kwacha per person, 500 kwacha for the driver and 500 for the cab. During this time, numerous guides surround us and offer to take us on sight seeing. Paul, our driver was kind enough to negotiate a guide for 1500 kwacha (since we are not going on a trekking).
Our guide Sheref first took us to a pool called Likabula. We can see many locals having bath here. The water is refreshing and the surrounding is spectacular in beauty. Next we climb the mount in the cab for a kilometer and parked it. Beyond this we had to walk up a stony path to reach the falls and the near by dam.
Sheref estimated the duration of the walk and distance to his expertise which does not match with ours. It was a pretty rough path and with climb ups on the way. Have to be prepared like a trekking for this walk, its not a simple walk to the falls. But Paul and Sheref walked in ease leaving us gasping. As the mid day sun was at the peak we finding it difficult to go explore other sites in the mount and hence called it a close.
In Thyolo there are tea estates we are told, which have been producing tea since 1908 and allows us to do estate tours (tea making process). Also nearby, the Thyolo forest reserve is a must visit for walkers and bird watchers.
On our way back we bought veggies at the Bvumbwe market and also stopped at the Chichiri shopping mall. Could visit only Shoprite in the mall due to lack of time. It was a huge super market, all house hold items catering to expats were available. Indian faces smiled at each other at Shoprite; we do this only when we are in a foreign country :)
On our way back we bought veggies at the Bvumbwe market and also stopped at the Chichiri shopping mall. Could visit only Shoprite in the mall due to lack of time. It was a huge super market, all house hold items catering to expats were available. Indian faces smiled at each other at Shoprite; we do this only when we are in a foreign country :)
Above is what the Thirukural says about knowledge fed into the ears. Now what about when your eyes are drinking in the sheer beauty of nature in abundance? You do not feel thirsty we suppose. Having seen nature and its wonderful beauty as in 'God's own country' in India, we can say this African nature is just different. You won't get bored, its simply peaceful and serene.
கண்ணுக்கு மையழகு, பார்வைக்கு முலஞ்சி மலையழகு!
கண்ணுக்கு மையழகு, பார்வைக்கு முலஞ்சி மலையழகு!
Comments