Back to the plateau

After what seemed like 1 too many days in Nkhata Bay I packed and departed. I'd been chatting to a fellow kiwi from the Cape to Cairo group and knowing she was heading this way had dragged my heels a little. In the interim I'd met a brash younger Australian as I cruised the several blocks that formed the township, as well as a similarly aged South African who was at the end of a 4 month motorcycle tour in East Africa. The 3 of us chatted over a few beers at a local hostel bar, before I called it a night.
It was great to have that sense of companionship, but also a little too enticing to spend more time with the visitors rather than the hosts.
A series of climbs dominated the kilometres starting with 250m out of Nkhata Bay, gentler than I'd calculated coming down it. The big ones followed and by the time I'd got to Mzuzu 60k further on I'd lifted to 1350m before giving 30m back. Grabbed some snacks at the cash & carry, then started hunting accommodation. 1st option was below the acceptable value threshold, as well as being very tired. Then a bike taxi guy suggested he could guide me and off we set. His first option was my next stop anyway, but turned out to be full. The subsequent choice was available and at $15, inc breakfast, was selected. There were another 10 or so in close proximity. Having cleaned up I wandered out the gate and asked about a bar. The caretaker from the lodge across the street kindly took me to an unexpectedly decent spot in a pretty shabby locale. Not a bad end to the day.Read more