Bruce Cowley Heads Out on the Yellow Motorbike
Good day, April 20th. Bruce Cowley on the yellow motorbike was intending to keep going, and I was going to stay at least another night. Bruce got ready despite his hurt ankle, but he had some help from a local person that goes by the name of Mel Gibson, who was going to show him a route out that would have less sandy stuff, so he’d be more likely to stay on his motorbike instead of having to drop it 5 times. I found out later that day that that worked out.
The Bridge Out South of Kande Beach
However, there was another hurdle. We had gotten word that there is a bridge out about 50 km south of the Kande Beach Resort. The bridge basically has one pillar that slipped away because of too much water coming down the mountains, making it inaccessible for most cars, or not to say every car. It was still solid enough for people to walk on it, and apparently Bruce was able to go over there as well.
He let us know that a bypass was being built, which was started just that morning, and about a third of it was already in place. That looked like a promising sign that it might be okay the next day, which would be helping me because I’m going that way tomorrow.
An Intrepid Overland Bus Arrives
Towards the late afternoon another overland bus came. This time it was an Intrepid bus. They are very much built for overlanding, but they’re still a bus—not like a truck. A truck would still be better, but they’re making it work and they sometimes do long days. This one is also staying for 2 nights. It was a small group and 3 crew, so that’s a lot of caregiving there.
Meeting a Future Dutch Doctor
It turns out one Dutch person was on board. He was a tall guy, a young guy, 6 foot 7. His name left me, but we ended up talking a bit in the evening. He shared that he had applied to study healthcare or to be a doctor, but there were too many people that wanted to do that, so he wasn’t let in. He basically made it a gap year—he worked for half a year and now he’s spending the money on this trip.
He’s just discovered that he has chances to visit medical facilities all over the place. He’s already visited some and he’s going to do as many as he can. He has the enthusiasm to get an eyeful and an earful from what’s going on in Malawi with healthcare. He was a really enthusiastic person, and when he gets to be a doctor, he’ll be a good one.
Sorting Belongings and Touring the Resort
It was a matter of having another beautiful day and doing some more sorting with my things, because I’m going to be leaving tomorrow, the 21st, and I’m basically shedding some of my belongings. I was able to exchange a mobile solar panel for staying there instead of paying for it with money.
Then I got a tour from Dave of all the buildings, the workshop, and woodworking place. They make all their own furniture like chairs and tables. He’s got a good thing going, but it’s all as basic as it gets—yet they get things done. He’s driving a Land Rover into town to get supplies. He’s very hands-on and very handy with just about anything and everything. We’ll see how long they keep that place in the family. Any takers out there?
Final Thoughts
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