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Mpulungu Port Panorama

— July 11, 2011


Richard sent us this panorama of Zambia’s only harbor at Mpulungu.
download high res panorama

Ep 3: Richard Doesn’t Die (Yet)

— July 6, 2011

It took me three days to upload this video… Someday (maybe stateside) it’ll come to you in the full HD glory that was intended. Meantimes, I hope you enjoy!

Music >>>>
The Blue Danube composed by Johann Strauss.
When Morning Came written by Tim Durian and performed by the Trolleys. thetrolleysband.com
Every Dog Has It’s Day written and performed by Flogging Molly. floggingmolly.com

Lake Tanganyika!

The MV Liemba

— June 16, 2011

We took the MV Liemba from Mpulungu in Zambia to Kigoma in Tanzania. It was insane. When we go on a cruise, we expect sunsets and pretty scenery. This, however, is the MV Liemba: yelling, banging, crying babies, chickens, people sleeping on top of cargo, people sleeping on people.

the MV Liemba

the MV Liemba

it was an unbelievable voyage, so much stuff on one boat, utlizing only canoes and a little crane

it was an unbelievable voyage, so much stuff on one boat, utlizing only canoes and a little crane

sunset n' cargo!

sunset n' cargo!

there were two lifeboats for 1600 people

there were two lifeboats for 1600 people

A TV crew for the History Channel rented out the top deck. It was the only nice place on board because no one else was supposed to be up there.

A TV crew for the History Channel rented out the top deck. It was the only nice place on board because no one else was supposed to be up there.

Sunrise over our destination, Kigoma, Tanzania.

Sunrise over our destination, Kigoma, Tanzania.

The MV Liemba is not for the claustrophobic!

The MV Liemba is not for the claustrophobic!

on the second day, after it got just insane, women and childern were allowed to sleep on the floor of the 1st and 2nd class deck

on the second day, after it got just insane, women and childern were allowed to sleep on the floor of the 1st and 2nd class deck

the hallways were a mosh pit of sweat, mud and maize

the hallways were a mosh pit of sweat, mud and maize

3rd class was crowded. there were no beds, they just slept on top of each other

3rd class was crowded. there were no beds, they just slept on top of each other

the main deck - nothing was strapped down, people slept on cargo, people slept on our bikes

the main deck - nothing was strapped down, people slept on cargo, people slept on our bikes

the door in front of our 2nd class cabin was a puddle of mud, maize and unknown. people would walk barefoot, they slept on that floor.

the door in front of our 2nd class cabin was a puddle of mud, maize and unknown. people would walk barefoot, they slept on that floor.

there were no docks - canoes would tie up to the ship and people would climb onboard

there were no docks - canoes would tie up to the ship and people would climb onboard

the door in the boat people would climb / slash / push though to get onboard

the door in the boat people would climb / slash / push though to get onboard

it was crazy

it was crazy

the images speak for themselves

the images speak for themselves

the MV Liembait was an unbelievable voyage, so much stuff on one boat, utlizing only canoes and a little cranesunset n' cargo!there were two lifeboats for 1600 peopleA TV crew for the History Channel rented out the top deck. It was the only nice place on board because no one else was supposed to be up there.Sunrise over our destination, Kigoma, Tanzania.The MV Liemba is not for the claustrophobic!on the second day, after it got just insane, women and childern were allowed to sleep on the floor of the 1st and 2nd class deckthe hallways were a mosh pit of sweat, mud and maize3rd class was crowded. there were no beds, they just slept on top of each otherthe main deck - nothing was strapped down, people slept on cargo, people slept on our bikesthe door in front of our 2nd class cabin was a puddle of mud, maize and unknown. people would walk barefoot, they slept on that floor.there were no docks - canoes would tie up to the ship and people would climb onboardthe door in the boat people would climb / slash / push though to get onboardit was crazythe images speak for themselves

It was an experience. Especially as a TV crew from the History Channel rented out the boat, kind of, and were very happy to use their power as they pleased. I learned a lot. I’ll write more later.