A Day in Friendly Chipata, Zambia

To see our Zambia Photos, Click Here

Eating chips and eggs with the locals

Dreading the prospect of waiting around for transport back to Chipata we were rewarded with only having to wait about an hour and got a shared taxi with locals back to town. We asked our driver, James, to go direct and not stop to wait around to pick up locals, but of course he did do pick ups (thankfully, not much waiting). But the journey back only took us about three and half hours including running out of petrol (again) just as we came into town. Not bad compared to our squashed 5 hour drive to the park. We didn't have a speaker blaring right in front of us, but I did get splattered with mud through the back window as we squirmed through a deep puddle formed by the recent rains. (The button for the window only worked from the front so I couldn't raise the window in time).

Chipata's Flea Market

We were welcomed once again back to Mama Rula's and started planning our next move to get to Malawi. Diana (our Spar lady) suggested that we come with her and Andrea in a couple of days time as they were running errands in Lilongwe (the capital of Malawi) their nearest city. Remembering our reformed travel format, this offer was too good to refuse. Not only would it make us stay longer in one place (at Mama R's), it would definitely make for a more comfortable and less stressful travel day avoiding public transport across the Zambian/Malawi border.

Making the most of our extra day we explored town, grateful for a ride in from one of the guests. Thank you Fouri. First stop was to meet up with our taxi man, James, from yesterday to retrieve my zip-off trousers which had fallen out from my bag in the boot. A relief as I was not looking forward to the prospect of replacing clothes right now. Phew!

Our Bicycle Taxis - check out the cushioned seat

There was not much to town apart from flea markets and shops, but we hung out with the locals eating (not the healthiest) egg and chips. Half way home we caught up with some much-needed internet for the first time in over a week scavenging wifi in return for a drink at the Protea Hotel bar. Getting home from there was an experience as we hopped on two bicycle taxis for the remaining 4km. There we were, precariously perched gripping on to the padded seat bumping up and down along the rough dirt road home. It was fun, but scary at the same time! *Mush