Gerry, W1VE will be active as 7Q2T from Malawi, 21 - 28 October 2024.
He will operate on HF Bands, mainly CW.
He will be active in CQ WW DX SSB Contest, 26 - 27 October 2024 in Single Operator All Bands Low Power Category.
QSL via LOTW.
QTH - Embangweni Mission Hospital station in Malawi, courtesy of Don, 7Q6M.
Malawi
Malawi is a small state lost on the map among Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, located in the eastern part of the African continent. This country is not washed by the ocean and sea, but its lands are unusually bright, rich in natural beauty, covered with wild trails, which are mastered by few tourists.
Indeed, tours to Malawi are not offered by all operators. And all because the country is not considered one of the leaders in world tourism. However, those who love breathtaking nature, beautiful views and fabulous paths, along the way of which you can see a lot of interesting things, such a trip will be remembered for a long time.
Nature and climate
Freshwater Lake Nyasa occupies 25% of the entire territory of the state. It is incredibly beautiful here, but we should not forget that the aquatic ecosystem is made up not only of fish, but also of various reptiles, including crocodiles.
Nyasa is not everywhere dangerous - there are beaches and places for swimming, where a small number of tourists and locals rest. Diving is not widespread, but where there are more tourists, rental of suitable equipment is offered. The waters here are very beautiful. It is especially interesting to observe the diversity of fish - there are more than 1000 species.
Another natural value of Malawi is the relief. The mountains are not too high, but covered with dense vegetation. Sapitwa is the highest mountain in the country. Its height is about 3 kilometres. It is located in a national park with many attractions.
Nyika is one of the most famous reserves in the country. Tourists like to visit it for horse safaris and colossal diversity of fauna and flora, which can hardly leave anyone indifferent.
The climate in Malawi is equatorial monsoon with wet summer and dry winter seasons. The wet season starts in mid to late October and lasts until the end of April. The dry starts in May and lasts until early November.
Most rainfall occurs from November to March, when it is summer in the southern hemisphere. It rains mainly in the mountainous areas - there is 2-3 times more precipitation than in the flat areas. The temperature of the warmest month, November, can vary between +20+23 C in the mountains and up to +27 C in the valleys. But in July it becomes cooler - +14 +19 C. July is the coldest month of the year in Malawi.
Attractions and interesting facts
Local attractions are centred around the perimeter of the Lolingwe River and the shores of Lake Nyasa. There are beautiful beaches with yellow sand and large palm trees. Hotels and inns are more at Nkata Bay. A variety of excursions are also organised here.
Boat trips play a special role in the life of coastal resorts. Tourists have time to see a lot of things, including animals, beautiful places, exquisite bright beaches, look at the water surface, which everywhere seem to shimmer with different shades. Noisy waterfalls and mountain peaks resembling cliffs, and simply covered with dense vegetation uplands - wonderful places for the tourist seeking to learn the charms of unspoilt nature.
Photographers flock to Malawi every year, eager to capture the very atmosphere of the secluded nature with gazebos that have no roofs but only large dry rods. Carelessly built out of stone blocks platforms for fishermen, original bridges, especially suspension bridges - all this perfectly blends with the colour of nature, azure water, bright sand, lush exotic turves.
Unique architecture from the times of English colonisation can be seen in the Old part of the capital. In the city of Mangochi interesting places are Queen Victoria Tower, Catholic cathedral, synagogue, missionary buildings.
Interesting facts about Malawi:
- The country is underdeveloped. It is the poorest state on the continent, but despite this the crime rate here is low.
- Malawi is always in bloom. Especially you can see a lot of orchids, of which there are 400 species. Nyika National Park - here is a huge concentration of these flowers.
- Freshwater Lake Nyasa is a treasure trove of animal diversity. Approximately 1000 species of fish and crustaceans - such is not found in almost any other lake in the world.
- The most popular currency in Malawi is cattle. Dollars are used to be valued less than live animals.
- Markets are widespread in the country. A common commodity is dried insects, which can be seen in huge quantities in sacks on the stalls.
- Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi, but the most interesting thing is that the city is divided into two parts by a crocodile-infested river.
- Homosexuality is illegal in the country, for which you can be imprisoned for up to 14 years.
- There are albinos in Malawi, and compared to other African countries, there are many of them. Each such person is heavily protected by the police, as it is not uncommon for albinos to be kidnapped for magical rituals.
- Television has only recently entered the country, literally 10-15 years ago.
- Large holes are made in all the billboards that are put up in cities or along the roads. There is no other way to help protect the structures from theft. The billboards are more often used by local residents for roofs in houses.
Despite the total poverty, Malawi has kind and sympathetic people who love festivals, carnivals and mass actions. Therefore, a sophisticated tourist will be impressed not only by the beauty of the local nature, which has won the fame of the best natural region of Africa.
City life
It comes as a surprise to many that Malawi has a special role for urban life. It's a land of festivals, holidays and unusual events. It's always fun here - the bright summer evenings are a great complement to day walks and trips to natural places.
Malawi has modern districts, high-rise buildings, shopping centres, but it is something different, not like life in a metropolis. Blantyre and Lilongwe have a concentration of hotels, resort areas, especially in the suburbs. Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi.
The streets of the cities are always crowded during the day. Local views are contrasting - at first you can see exquisite architectural buildings of impressive size, rich in decorations and even somewhere reminiscent of Rome in terms of atmosphere. However, going a little further, under a dilapidated fence there will be a rubbish dump. This contrast is typical of African cities.
The biggest event in the country is held in September. It's called Lake of Stars. Costumed processions and dances are an integral part of the celebration, which displays the intricacies of culture and customs. Other major holidays when no one is bored are New Year's Day, Republic Day (6 July), and Freedom Day (14 June).
You can buy a lot of things in Malawi, but it is more convenient to take home tea, coffee, crockery, souvenirs. Dried and fried insects are especially exotic and not everyone will be interested in them. Everywhere you can bargain - residents immediately see the tourist, so they inflate prices. It is not necessary to change dollars for local money, but it is better to have two currencies in your pocket. Shops and even markets accept US dollars. You can exchange dollars at a special point or a bank.