Routine

Nothing is ever routine. We're just traveling from Mzuzu to Liwonde to stay at the Hippo View Lodge. An eight hour trip or so we are told. Up at 5:00 AM to load up the bus and trailer, breakfast at 5:30 and depart at 6:00 AM. We actually departed at 6:15 so that is the same as being early for us. The departure was after a fond and tearful farewell to Robert and his staff (at the Luwinga Lodge), Copeland and his daughter Elvine. We were joined by Pastor Justin and his wife that needed to travel to Liwonde to see family, A huge time and cost saving to them so we are very happy to help. The journey went on and on and on. Rest stops and a fuel stop just added to the travel time. We made a brief stop at a pottery for a few souvenirs and then on to Liwonde. "Just one more hour" assured our bus driver. That turned into 1 1/2 hours (at least). Finally we arrived at the Hippo View at about 7:45PM. Do the math - that's 13 1/2 hours. We had warned the team that the grounds at the Hippo View were beautiful but the rooms were sub par. Imagine our surprise to open the doors to our rooms to find spectacular new rooms the are huge and nicely appointed. Turns out they had torn down the old building and built a new one. Very cool. A great dinner with limited selections as the lodge was full and apparently everyone else had eaten before us. We were joined by Chifundo (the owner of the bus company we us) and his family. As if that wasn't enough Kelly Ngwira surprised us by coming down from Lilongwe to visit with us. He will be with us in the morning and then travel back to Lilongwe with us on the bus. To end the evening with some humor (at least to everyone but Matt) a few of us were walking the grounds when Matt and his group stumbled upon a Hippo wandering the grounds (not uncommon). Scared the daylights out of him (as it would everyone else as well). Peace and Blessings to all. Everyone is safe and well. (S&H - Hippos do not make good pets.)
Dennis