Bike Touring Malawi: From Mua to The North

As we worked our way North, we had several unexpected surprises, including the amazing Mua Mission…

PUBLISHED Mar 18, 2014

Sorry for the radio silence lately. We’ve been on a massive, and very remote, dirt road journey over the magical high rift plateau of Nyika (more on that next week). Here are some pictures and details from our trek North through the beautiful country of Malawi:

Peering through tunnels off the road.

Being caught under an awning in the rainy season…

… always leads to some interesting views.

After following a side dirt road, with a sign that modestly read, ‘MUA MISSION, WOOD CARVINGS,’ we discovered a village in the jungle that was beyond amazing. The Mission is now lead by a French Canadian priest, who has turned the area into an arts mecca.

Ridiculously talented Malawian wood carvers, painters and jewelry makers have studied here.

I was very sad to not be able to take home any of these fine pieces.

Wood carvings displaying their masks and cultural dances.

Camping on the grounds of the small cultural museum…

… complete with a series of frescos that tell the story of the area.

Meanwhile a tiny village goes about its business.

And all of the women carry goods to the local market.

A visit to the woodcarvers area.

We happened on the town as a special cultural performance was being held.

The performers in full regalia.

And small innocent bystanders.

A series of dances ensued with multiple large and intricate masks, each telling a story with and underlying message.

This particular mask popped popcorn that viewers were encouraged to eat.

Over the next few days riding we found our favorite roadside lunch: avocado, cucumber and tomato with a simple dressing of lime juice, salt and a few herbs.

Charles commutes about 40kms a day on this.

Along the lake it’s hard to avoid the insects.

Geckos are everywhere. I’ve become quite fond of watching them hunt inside backpacker rooms, or on exterior walls around lights.

Gin preparing our nightly Bawo game next to the Bua river.

A strange formation of worms in the dirt road.

Following a dirt track back towards the lake.

Stopping for a new snack… fried cassava.

Always an audience.

A young lady playing with a doll made from mud.

Another magical sky on Lake Malawi.

Our Big Agnes Fly Creek UL3 drying out after a big rain night.

The ECR looking nice in the morning light.

Packed up and ready for another stretch.

A severed head serves as an advertisement for fresh meat that day.

Tending rice fields.

Never get tired of children squealing, ‘Wazungo!’

A gentleman struggling to stay awake…

Legend has it they he ran a candy stand in town, but he’d fall asleep and get robbed. Now he plies his trade at a backpacker and folks watch his goods after he takes the plunge.