Photos Found in Diary of a Volunteer
My Accommodation
Accommodation is provided by the volunteer’s employers. And, generally speaking, accommodation in Malawi is far better than expected
1. Accommodation in Dowa (2 weeks) – getting used to being in the country
2. Accommodation in Blantyre (2 years)
My Transport
I really enjoyed cycling to work everyday. The journey took a vigorous 20 minutes up (and down) some steep road
3. About to set off for work…
4. …On the journey
Beautiful Malawi
Malawi really is a beautiful, mostly un-spoilt, country. Travelling by car or bicycle was always a pleasure (ignoring the occasional life-threatening incident!).
5. Rachel silhouetted on Ndirande mountain (before the tree got the chop!
6. 20 minutes away from home by car
Mulanji Massif
Climbing up the Mulanje Massif was a real escape for volunteers, as well as an intense physical challenge.
7. About to climb Mulanje…
8. …Journey’s end: Luchenza hut
Football Time
It’s always been an ambition of mine to experience a football match in another country. This was my one and only example.
9. Football fans on a rainy day!
10. Big game warm-up
Malawi Teenager Time
Levitico and Roderick, and Raymond and Philip (not shown) became regular visitors to my home. They were good fun!
11. Levitico – moody as ever!
12. Levitico and Roderick – the guys!
Teacher Time
I taught the 1-week UNIX course several times, in makeshift classrooms as shown.
13. Students working hard on my course materials
14. Different angle, still working
Tourist/Friendship Time
Don’t ya just love tourists! I mean, fancy trying to swim with a camera in one hand!
15. Andy poses for Chi, in Zomba
16. Andy is rescued; the camera drowns!
Family/Christmas Time
This is my family (Hurrican Hoggar, as I like to call them) and Rachel’s Mum – Irene. Think they enjoyed their visit.
17. Christmas day in Blantyre
18. Chichewa lesson, with Pitt
NOTE: 2025 Editorial – some images excluded from original site, and some commentary left out too (so numbering system looks a bit odd from now on ;-))
Leisure Time
Typical ways of spending leisure time: visiting Malawi’s beautiful lake, or staying at home and playing Bawo with friends!
21. Nice image, John! #3
22. Rachel and Levitico play Bawo with friends
Miscellaneous Images Time
My first (and last) VSO wedding. Things happen quickly in VSO-land. Couples get married, quickly, or…!
23. Rob and Rachel’s wedding in white VW beetle (another Rachel, not the one above!) – 2025 update: a few years back, I “met” Rachel on an online dating site – oh deary dear!
Merlin Wizards’ finest moment: about to play (and lose to) the Malawi national team select XI. (I’m there, somewhere!)
25. Team photo of Merlin Wizards
Mid-way through the disastrous day that Rachel was robbed in Zimbabwe bus station (at 6am) – our bus has broken down (we arrived in Blantyre at 9pm!)
27. My only Zimbabwe holiday snap!
After weeks of waiting for my sink to be repaired, I had to laugh at the plumbing (and take a photo!)
29. My sink – nearly repaired!
Elephants on view at Liwonde National park. (The sepia effect is courtesy of my XP2 film.)
31. My best (and only) elephant pic!
Caro-Anne: what a sexy woman! And intelligent, witty, caring… (I know, I know! I’m a creep!)
33. Caro-Anne rests at Nkopola, Lake Malawi
Another beautiful image of Lake Malawi – this time at Salima. (Don’t think it was a windy day!)
35. Salima, Lake Malawi
Beautiful Zomba Plateau provides some great (and vigourous) walking, and you can always stroll around the lake
36. Zomba Plateau can be very peaceful
This was one of several advertisement hoardings on (the old) Kamuzu Heighway in Blantyre!
37. Advertisement for soap
This is supposed to be a picture of me with dreadlocks, but I know you can barely see ’em (I’m so vain!)!
38. A happy me, despite my dreadlocks!
Limbe was always busy with traders buying food, clothing, material, whatever…! (Ndirande mountain is in the background!)
39. Limbe, Limbe, Limbe always busy
About the Photographs
This gallery of photographs were (mostly) taken by myself, using a Samsung AF Slim Zoom (!)
The current selection are simply those shown in the diary, and will evolve as the diary evolves. I do intend to include other photographs too, and maybe categorise them for ease of use -sometime!
Larger versions of these images can be found… within the Diary (you’ll just have to explore!)
NOTE: Original version of gallery can be found here: https://snash.org/gallery.htm