Tag Archives: Of Note
May 19, 2009
A Big Day in Malawi Today is election day in Malawi
A Big Day in Malawi Today is election day in Malawi. The impoverished but relatively stable nation is holding its fourth democratic elections since the one party Banda regime ended in 1993. Malawians will head to the polls to cast their vote in an election that pits current President Bingu wa Mutharika (pictured above) against political rival John Tembo, [...]
May 11, 2009
This article on Malawi in the Times travel section yesterday gives a beautiful picture of the country, if you have a chance: BEYOND the shores of Lake Malawi, known for boutique eco-resorts and well-heeled international tourists, there’s another Malawi — a whole country, if a tiny one, of chaotic and lively urban centers, green hills, tea plantations, high mountains and game parks blessedly free of safari jeep traffic jams. The article does a great job describing the natural beauty of Malawi, and the pictures are all amazing. Though, this lesson was one that we had to learn the hard way: From Blantyre, the Thyolo region lies about 25 miles southeast on a good, though winding, road. Everywhere in Malawi, it’s advisable to hire a car and driver (for about $30 a day) rather than to try to travel on your own in a rental car. Traffic weaves wildly, and a smooth paved surface can suddenly turn rough. On one of our trips, we were on a major highway and hit a detour that suddenly took us on a rutted dirt track through the center of a village of tiny thatched huts, their occupants obviously surprised to find traffic barreling through their town. Our Executive Director Melissa Kushner tried the same trip in a rented car. “Not only did we drive ourselves, but we had zero car battery and our windshield wipers were held down by a lollipop stick. It was pouring out and our car broke down at every stop. Take their advice and get a driver.”
This article on Malawi in the Times travel section yesterday gives a beautiful picture of the country, if you have a chance: BEYOND the shores of Lake Malawi, known for boutique eco-resorts and well-heeled international tourists, there’s another Malawi — a whole country, if a tiny one, of chaotic and lively urban centers, green hills, [...]
