Karonga to border town in Tanzania

August 19, 2022

Had a nice ride to the border today. It's always a bit exciting leaving one country and entering anther. But.....

Border towns are my specialty. Not. Who knew the CDC card wouldn't be accepted as proof of Covid vaccination?! Since I didn't have a QR code, I had to pay $10 for a Covid test. At least we know I don't have Covid! Since I wanted a receipt for my test, so I know the money wasn't going into someone's pocket, they had to create a bill and then I had to take it to eh bank to pay and get a receipt. Outside like 1/4 mile away! What a pain in the butt, but I hate corruption and scams so for the principal of it, I made sure things were "official."

After that, the process went quickly. I now have a multiple entry visa for a year stamped in my passport that is going to be replaced soon. How does that work? I also refused to change my remaining kwacha on the black market because they will pocke $17 on an exchange originally worth about $62. I'd rather try my luck at home or a different exchange place. Again, I don't mind them pocketing some money, but not highway robbery!

Next, I go to find the hotel I had picked out and let's just say trying to find it was a disaster. A nice man ended up walking me to a nice hotel that wasn't even listed on Google maps. But, I have not money and they don't take cards. I unloaded my bike and rode back to the bank to get cash. Sweat was pouring off of me while I was trying to sort everything out. The guard offered me a chair in the shade. They probably though I was going to die! I needed water. I stopped at the first shop and bought a huge bottle at double the price my hotel sells it for. I don't even care.

The upside to today was that I bought premium tickets to Bryan Adams' show in Montreal in September. Happy birthday to me (as it's close to my birthday.) What I have known for awhile is that I am attending a special event in Toronto, Canada on September 24th. I think some of you know I am a huge Bryan Adams and Corey Hart fan. Bryan is getting inducted inot the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Better yet, Corey was asked to sing a couple of Bryan's songs as a way of honoring him. Anyone who knows me knows there is no way I could miss this event. When I first found out about it, I had to make a pretty quick decision on whether I would go or not. I opted to attend and it also somewhat finalized when I would be departing Africa. Because of my delay in Namibia, I have been in Africa way longer than I expected. It's nice to have an end date in sight and something really special to look forward to.

Another day. More kids crowding around the Mzungu

Might be my favorite photo of the whole trip!

The shoulder is getting used for other purposes. I didn't think they would appreciate my tire tracks through the grain.

A dead black mamba! Some people were gathered around. Apparently, locals had recently killed it with a machete! Yikes! Reality check of the potential dangers in Africa

Lovely green fields, but don't think I wasn't on extra high alert now for snakes!

Then the boys agreed to a photo. The cup is their lunch meal they get from school

So the girls decided it was okay to be in a photo too

This tree is full of bird nests. See them hanging. I forget the name of this type of bird.

No official "welcome" sign so I had to make my own

My great hotel a local lead me to. Up the main road on the left side if heading away from the border.

Today's ride: 26 miles (42 km)
Total: 3,931 miles (6,326 km)

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