Mumbo Island

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The last few days of the Wacher’s Malawi holiday we booked into the exclusive Mumbo Island. It cost an arm and a leg but that’s the price of exclusivity. Being mature travellers we’d cased out the joint when we were in Cape Maclear. No need for last minute searching for the jetty. As usual we were going to be way early so Margie and I decided to pop in at the local clinic to see how things worked. Lawrence opted to stay in the car and read his book.

Cross pollination of ideas should be compulsory. There is always something to be learnt. Toss the systems that don’t really work and find ways to include those that do. The Cape Maclear Cinic/ Hospital has a 15 bed in-patient section. It is, almost exclusively staffed with volunteers. The Government clinic is in the same grounds but functions independently. For me the key take home messages were a) they charge a nominal fee b) the records are all patient held. No shelves and shelves of folders. c) foreign based qualifications and registration with their professional councils were accepted. Everyone was just grateful for the service.

We had to cut our tour short as time ticked on. 10H30, not a minute to loose we boarded the “Feersum Endjinn.” With a name like that you had to feel safe as we navigated the now sea like swells to Mumbo Island. Margie tight lips, eyes on the horizon.

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Mumbo is only about 1km long. An exclusive eco lodge. Self composting loos, bucket showers and all the structures and soft furnishings locally sourced. It’s just the right balance of roughing it in style. Its an all inclusive deal, no money changes hands on the island. As the lake was too rough for a pleasant sunset cruise we trekked through the dry forest to Pod Rock. The rock gets it’s name from the massive Pod mahogany shading it.

Margie was having none of it. The rock has a drop off that would excite any rock climber. No barriers, just use your common sense.

Talking common sense. Lorenzo had only bought a pair of flip flops with him. Snap. One times broken flip flop. Without an emergency bread tag in sight he was forced to don my booties for the trip home. Perhaps the Germans will be inspired, a new trend. Booties instead of socks and sandals. Back at the camp he was able to make plan. Koekie, the honorary Boer with a plan and loose the booties. Reputation intact.

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Day two the wind had died down and the island showed off it’s true colours. Crystal clear water, loads of fish, otters, birds. You have no option but to enjoy.

Tea and coffee is delivered to the rooms at 6am. Birds and Lizards arrive on cue for their share of biscuits. Yes, the lizards eat the biscuit crumbs too, who would have thought? It’s an hours worth of entertainment. Margie calls these guys cocktail lizards because they look like a tequila sunrise. Bit of a stretch , rather glad she didn’t find something to ruin a Mojito.

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Two ladies from the Malawi Tourism Board were there doing the biannual rating. It’s a voluntary rating but obviously one that benefits both parties. Mumbo prides itself in having an impeccable eco rating. The buzz word in responsible tourism.

With the lake like a pond we set off for our sunset cruise. You guessed it. Just at the appropriate time the clouds moved in, no sunset just a gentle hue. Who cares really. Being on the water with not a thought through your head is perfectly good enough.

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What do you mean that’s the end………………Sorry for you Margaret Anne back to work you go. But for now we’ve managed to make a whole set of new and fabulous memories, including Ants in Trees at the Blue Ginger Restaurant. The final dinner in Lilongwe.

No it’s not at all what you’d expect. Why would it be. This is Malawi. The dish is an Indian/ Chinese fusion. Chicken stir fry with crispy noodles (ants)and lettuce leaves wraps (trees). Obvious.

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