After leaving Tanzania and Zanzibar we arrived in Malawi to see Lake Malawi and friendliest kids around.
The views of the lake from the road south are stunning, looking in parts more like the French Riviera I thought.
We stayed at Kande Beach while in Malawi, right on the lake which was confusing as it was like a regular sea side resort with sand and waves, yet it was on a lake. Something which was completely new to me.
We went up to the local village which sadly was in grieving. One of the young pupils at the school had sadly been lost to Malaria, a horrifying reminder of the scale of the problem in Africa. We visited the village hospital where they explained how serious Malaria was, and how cheaply it can be prevented if possible.
The children in the local school however seemed the epitome of happiness. Rushing out of the school to see us and hold our hands, telling us who they were and offering us drawings they had done, they were adorable. You don't get a chance to walk one step without someone holding your hand.
Once in the school we were shown a typical classroom before the girls performed a song and dance for us. This was beautiful to listen to, the very sound of Africa I thought.
We headed back through the village before arriving on the beach again. This was a chance again to lie on the beach. I saw the smallest lizard I have ever seen on this beach at about the same size as a five pence coin, brightly coloured and miniscule.
Before long I was in the lake body surfing the gigantic waves and having another water based accident, this one a bit luckier to escape from.
From here we travelled through the stunning Malawian landscape towards the roaring thunder of Zambia.