Bike Touring Malawi: From Mua to The North
As we worked our way North, we had several unexpected surprises, including the amazing Mua Mission…
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.

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.

A visit to the woodcarvers area.

The performers in full regalia.

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

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.

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.

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

Packed up and ready for another stretch.


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.

On the market street…

The Titanico holding up well, and getting an admirer.

Another fantastic sky.

Steak served on spokes… only ten cents for about five pieces.

Rice fields.

African beard-off. We saw 8 cyclists on this day. This French gentleman was doing France to Cape Toen.

Another calm day on the lake.
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