Sunset On Lake Malawi
Taken late 2013. We were just free floating and enjoying some Carlsberg which is the most ubiquitous and affordable beer in Malawi. The fishermen came up to us and we had a chat about their modus operandi.
The owner of the larger boat with the motor makes his money or cut from transporting the canoe fishermen to their fishing spots miles into the lake where they will often spend the whole night and then fetching them early the next day. You can see the paraffin lamps that go on a lateral orientated plank on the canoe, often three lamps in a row.
The light serves to illuminate their working environment but is also critical in attracting fish.
Taking the whole lake into account and the sheer amount of fishermen, transport by motor driven water trucks are not the rule. Most fisherman simply employ their oar and canoe like a SUP paddle board and row out to their spots. And they go for miles and hours without end. Wiry and sinewy and unstoppable. Men in their seventies. I spent a whole day just puffing on Malawi Gold cob while watching people work with what seems to be supernatural strength and stamina.
Brochures and websites can't seem to agree on whether Lake Malawi is called the Lake of Stars because of some anecdotal quote from David Livingstone or if it refers to the thousands of lamps on the canoes at night.
All I can tell you is that, sitting at the highest point of an island at night and looking out over hundreds of miles of water, I would go with the canoes for bringing the stars. It is something to behold, but impossible to photograph with amateur equipment and no formal knowledge of photography.
Also, Malawi is stunning. Snorkeling amongst thousands of the most colourful fish you'll find this side of an oceanic coral reef. It's like an endless aquarium in places. The people are really chilled and friendly. I liken it to being Africa's Thailand. It also has lots of perfect options for backpackers on a budget.
Hardly a mile into the lake, we simply cupped our hands and would drink straight from it, or use it as mixer in our whiskey.
Not sure when, but I'm definitely going back.
That sunset is beautiful. I'd pay all my monies to see that sight from a mountaintop at night. The best sights are the ones you could never capture with a camera. Maybe that's the point. Just have to be there.
photos can only jump-start your memories, but don't even begin to convey the experience to others. this one was just good enough to give the millions of Steemians an adequate feel for the potential of the moment. I'm sure they enjoyed it, haha. But adrift on one of Africa's Great Lakes in total tranquily while listening to music that everyone was into, smoking the Legenday Malawi Gold while getting our beer on, no one will ever feel what that was like. The climate and softness of the fresh water. Diving off and swimming with half a mile deep water without fear of thing that could bite you.
Not so keen on taking photos of things so much these days. As you say, rather just live... also, save $400 on a really good phone, but with a shit camera. Glad that's not the convoluted selling point on a phone for me as it is to almost everyone else.
Sounds a bit like a humble-brag to me. The best kind of brag. Glad Malawi's version of big Nessie didn't eat you up. That's a cue for you to tell me all about Malawi's big Nessie, because I know a lake that big has got to have some lore.
Great photo! Malawi- that sounds like a really exptoc place to visit. I guess you can experience a lot of local culture as it's not a touristic place (I think). Original travel destination, cool :)
Very few tourists. They are mostly rich ones hiding in some stunning, rock star-priced resort on private tribal land. You won't see them venture out, so yep, no touristy vibe... Cape Maclear is great for a very uncrowded yet typical backpacking experience and still in the middle of the real people and their daily lives.
Beautifull sunset! I'm not sure how I'd cope the whole night out on the sea fishing, I don't think I'd do a very good job :)
A beautiful evening to behold. Indeed the works of the creator is marvellous
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