Our wanderings and perceptions

This is a forest area in Chikwawa district which is the in southern region of Malawi. Like the other forest areas in Africa this also comes under the African Parks. African Parks is an NGO which has taken over most of the wildlife reserves in Africa and protects animals from falling prey to poaching.  It is responsible for the rehabilitation and long term management of the national parks working in partnership with government and local communities. Majete is a 70,000 hectare of forest land. It took a 1.5 hour drive from Blantyre to reach Majete. We have to drive down the mountain region of Blantyre into the valley to get into a village area which leads to the wildlife reserve. Our vision on the mountain path was blocked by heavy hue. Two check posts were to be crossed during this drive. One of the check post is near the local market where vegetables for sale were grouped in bunches. The path towards Majete is a sandy road and mostly deserted. Since its the summer season  ...

On a Saturday morning we flew to Lilongwe the capital of Malawi. Blantyre being our destination we had to complete the visa formalities here before taking the flight to Blantyre. Due to the short transit time we were chased by the airport and airline authorities through the via entry, check in and flight on-boarding to Blantyre. Once inside the flight we were pleasantly surprised to have a co-passenger whose face resembled Indian. On getting familiar, came know this person belongs to Malawi with roots in India. Should be surprised with Indian faces in foreign land, we promised. By the time we spoke about India and Malawi out flight was ready for landing. The flight bound to Cape Town dropped the Blantyre passengers on the way in about 40 minutes from Lilongwe. Blantyre airport - now this is how an airport looked, 20 years ago.. The flight screeched to landing and tax-ing to halt was rough. The airport had a small conveyor belt and one can see their check-in baggage's ...

Another week in Nairobi and more interactions later still fascinated about this place. Two Rivers - a recently come up largest mall in the city was our place of visit on the eve of Diwali. After a very detailed security check we were let into the mall. This gives ample options to shop (with offers), dine and for entertainment. The huge super market is stocked with items across the world. Highlights being - huge refrigerators with frozen large pizzas, live counters of meat and fish, varieties of honey in glass pots, all types of Indian pickles and plus size bread packets. You will never miss any item that you have left back in India; was happy to see Medimix products, which we know since our childhood days. After we go around the shops in the mall we pushed out to the ground floor open area were numerous stalls were put up, mostly in Indian flavor. These stalls were either selling Indian clothes and decorative article for Diwali occasion or food items. While window shopping on...

Nairobi national park was in all  the top most places to visit lists. We were informed that it would be a 3 hour trip and we have to be there early to see the animals. On a Sunday morning we were up by 5:30 am. Daniel was waiting in the cab to take us. We reached the park by 7am, as it is very much within the city limits. But unlike our crocodile park this is a forest area. As the city grew this forest area got confined but still exists, thanks to the ecologists. The entrance fee is split into separate fee for vehicle, driver and each of the visitors. The payment was to be done through m-pesa or card, cash is not accepted. Its surprising to see m-pesa such a hit here while going cashless is not welcomed back home. Just near the entrance we saw the tribal people in their traditional red blanket. There was also safari walk available if you choose to. We drove-in in our cab. After getting in just few meters were covered with trees. Beyond that it was open grass land were ...

Over the weekend at was the time to make a visit to the vegetable market. As veggies and fruits seem to be priced high at the near by super markets a weekly trip to the market proves to be a saver. Crossed the main area of Nairobi on the drive towards the market. Got further glimpses of the city and its huge buildings. This market is at a distance of about kms from the main area. All vegetables are available just like what one would witness back in India. It was fun to hear a Kenyan shopkeeper call out vegetable names in Tamil. No wonder there were many Indian shoppers around. Greens very fresh and inviting. Fruits too were available in abundance. Due to ban on plastic bags, all these had to carried on a large hand made bag. Bargaining happens here too. Headed straight to super market to full fill the provisions demands as well. It was huge and stocked up with huge variety of items. Name it and it's available as long your wallet can afford. You can't help cal...

The handicrafts of Kenya are in sale through the Masai market. Group of artisans along with their hand work set up this sales at different places each day around Nairobi. You would want to buy everything that is showcased. Each product is a testamen to their wonderful talent. Colors are so fantastic and the mix and match of it makes you awestruck. We happen to go to the Masai market at city hall. A huge ground made available that day of the week. Went around first to decide what to buy. It was one difficult choice as the work of art is so fantastic. Main items were - masai beads and kazuri beads jewelry, beaded bowls and articles,  basket bags, masks, batik art wall hangings, footwears in black sole and colourful straps, wooden articles,  animal miniatures in ebony and soapnut, traditional blankets and stoles. Bargaining is required to buy each item. At one point you need to give in to the artisans as they are fight it out to sell their art. Since most of the...

Paradise lost - our place of visit today. Susan drove us in her SUV for around 25 mins covering 13kms to reach this pleasant location. This place is surrounded by coffee estate and a huge lake. After getting through the entrance formalities we get in to the resort which provides camel and horse rides. Beyond this area our vehicle was parked. We proceeded towards the paradise lost caves and waterfall. Due to off season there was very less water falling in the falls. Once you cross this area we have the caves.  The waterfall falls from above the cave and through the side we can enter the stone age old cave. To reach the bottom of the fall, one has to climb down the small slope. Getting inside the cave you've got to crouch on the way. There lights placed through the way to help the visitors.  Its a different atmosphere inside the cave. Same way you crouch back to come out of the cave.  Away from the waterfall we started walking towards the lake. Row boats are a...