On arrival at the Bio Camp we were initially disappointed and wanted to find alternative accommodation. On glancing around it looked unkempt and poorly maintained and when Roxy discovered the monkeys in a cage she was furious. Peter was the guy to talk to and he showed us around the place.
The rondavels were out of our budget as there were no card facilities and we were keen to pitch our tents on the beach next to the lapha but this was not allowed as the local fisherman and friends walked through this area as we discovered later in the day. So after a bit of discussion amongst ourselves we decided to hang around here and pitched our tents under the insect infested thatch roof structure further back from the shore that passed as the campsite. It was a tight squeeze but we weren’t letting Roxy pitch her tent under another shelter which was a bit further away from us...she was to stay close to us.
The joys of your own room 
Kingsley chatted with Peter, who kindly offered to find out for us, about options of catching a ferry to Likoma Island from here. As we didn’t want to return to Songea, or take our short cut from Mbinga that we had so confidently plotted, in order to reach the Matchedje border post that was 130 km south of Songea. From the border post is was another approximate 130 km to Cobue (Mozambique) over a range of mountains and down to the shoreline about 40 km north of Cobue via an insignificant little road that spelt trouble in this wet weather.
Being the only visitors here we could enjoy the shelter on the beach for ourselves as we spread our wet washing around. The setting was so pretty and magical making the lake look inviting and within minutes Roxy and I were in that water enjoying a good soapy, and much needed, wash down in the warm crystal clear water. Peter had arranged for his wife to make us a lovely big pot of fresh filter coffee. We made some popcorn to nibble on and decided that perhaps two nights here would be an awesome treat. The fishermen in their dugouts had started returning and were selling off their fresh supplies.
Popcorn flying ...and beers flowing!! 
The setting sun cast a stunning light across the beach and as it started sinking over the western horizon a beach fire was being made and chairs dragged out for us to lounge on and chill. What a perfect setting. We settled back, relaxed and started to appreciate this little patch of paradise.
Dinner was provided and was a delicious spread of rice, cream spinage, roast potatoes, a spicy tomato salsa and desert was chopped pineapple. We devoured this meal with great speed and enthusiasm.
By 9 pm we crawled carefully into our tents so as not to upset any creepy crawlies in the thatch and slept soundly.
Topic: SQUARING THE CIRCLE ~ Lake of Stars (Read 7562 times)
