Discovering the charm of Chipata

Chipata is a city and administrative centre of the Eastern part of Zambia.The city, unlike in older years, has undergone some economic and infrastructure growth, leading up to city status. It is still a work-in-progress though. Do not hesitate to add it to places you can visit for not only the laid-back life but to see the parks which have game and wild animals. When I visited Chipata for the second time, I was happy to see lots of change. Last time I visited, I didn’t know how to share my journey with the world like I do now. I loved Chipata town for simple things like:

Those mangoes!

There are many places in Zambia I have on my bucket list. I have them because of the fruits I have heard are found there. Mwinilunga has pineapples and Mazabuka, sugarcane. When I visited Chipata recently, I couldn’t help but appreciate the mangoes found in this part of the country. The season to enjoy mangoes is from late October to late January. The beauty is they are cheaper in Chipata than in other towns like Lusaka. It was mango parties everyday! I found a reason to use mangoes in things like my desserts. My favourite was custard fruit salad!

Animals at your doorstep

Whenever we want to see certain creatures, we quickly have to be the ones to make the first move to where we can find them. Of course, I don’t mean the wild animals. It was such a great moment to walk out of the house and appreciate the birds that frequently flew by or perched. I usually don’t get to see the S-necked and long-legged kind of birds where I live. It was a super cool experience to get frequent visits from this species of bird.

Because of the wet season, we also had frequent visits from crab-like creatures. I want to think those were real crabs. At least something close to mud crabs. I don’t have my facts right yet. If they are were crabs, we have delicacy on the loose!

I was in an area called Moth in Chipata and that’s were I spent most of my time. This was pretty much in the centre of Chipata. Whenever I saw creatures I was not able to see where I came from, I made sure to take a shot. The one creature I saw the most but failed to take even one shot was one in the family of ferrets. Again, I am not sure these were ferrets but they were furry and looked like guinea pig cousins. I just noticed, they don’t stay put. I tried placing some nuts in strategic places so when they pay a visit, I could take a shot but things didn’t go as planned. I found the nuts gone.

Lovely landscapes, lovely sunsets

Not that I am not a fan of mountain climbing, but in some places like Tanzania ( Mount Kilimanjaro), doing it will cost me an arm and a leg. Chipata has so many hills I could try climbing before doing a legendary mountain climb.

My first attempt goofing around on these hills was with my nieces. This didn’t do the trick but it was good enough for some memorable views. I didn’t have to climb up these hills all the time to enjoy incredible views. Sometimes, I just sat or walked around in the neighborhood enjoying the views I don’t see where I am living. Everyone living where the land is flat knows this feeling when you find elevated lands. I enjoyed my early morning or evening walks because of this.

Sunsets could have been perfect if not for the distracting hills but then again, I was in the eastern part of the country. The sun rises from the east, so says geography. This means sunrises here, should be more enjoyable than sunsets. The hills would be distracting nonetheless.

Bike city touring

Last I checked, especially in developed countries, if you wanna know a city, you have to use a tour bus. This is not the kind of stuff you are gonna find here. I loved seeing more places on motorbikes. This is one thing that has changed over the years. There were no motorbikes used for public transport some time back. This has now become the popular means of transport in this part of the country. In other parts of the country, they are used for deliveries. Here, it’s public transport. Since it’s cheaper than getting on a vehicle, it was easy to see most of Chipata. I even found hidden gems that you should try finding on your own when you tour this laid-back city.

April 21, 2024 15

Escape to Tranquillity: Azure Boutique Resort Getaway (Review)

I arrived excitedly at Azure Boutique Resort after embarking on a coach and plane journey. This not-so-hidden gem provided a special refuge from the everyday grind. The moment I stepped into the resort’s oasis, I felt refreshed by the atmorsphere. This experience was relaxing and made me think of all the things I want when on a solo trip like this one.

On a solo getaway:

1) I want to go far from my comfort zone

I set out on this solitary retreat. I just love the disconnection from my daily life and stepping beyond the comfortable boundaries of home. I looked forward to experiencing a different culture, enjoying the rush of exploring unexplored ground and the independence that comes with being far from home on this journey beyond the familiar. When you see me with this blue bag, I mean business. I did a 15hr drive and 2 hour flight to get to this place. On such a long trip, reading a book from my collection came in handy.

2) Getting to enjoy the country side scenery

Tanzania is home to beautiful landscapes. It has picturesque scenes and travelling by road is the greatest way to fully appreciate these landscapes. I was captivated by the stunning view of Tanzania’s natural beauty as I sat comfortably by the window. I was able to appreciate the landscape, from plains to hills. Road travel enabled this connection with the environment and fostered an appreciation for the country’s scenic treasures.

3) Having a big bed to myself

Azure Boutique Resort was just the right place for me to unwind. I especially loved the comfy double bed that offered me the rest I needed. The luxurious bedding enveloped me. It was a place of relaxation as well as of recovery. The worries and cares of my everyday life seemed to vanish. The simple but beautiful facilities and the thoughtfulness with which the room was furnished enhanced the whole experience and produced the ideal atmosphere for relaxing. With its focus on comfort and peace, the resort became my haven.

4) I want to enjoy delicious meals with a view

Beautiful scenery has a special power to calm tired minds. A wonderful dining experience was created by the combination of the beauty of the surroundings, the rhythm of the waves, and the close proximity to the Indian Ocean. The spotless beach was a perfect place for unwinding. It provided a peaceful haven to enjoy my delicious plate of food. Public beaches have their magic but I just wanted to enjoy peace and my ”own” place for a moment. I shared my food with the birds that could not just let me rest until they had a taste of the chef’s special. For all the foodies out there, Azure Boutique Resort offers so much at breakfast time that you will eat your fill. Never walk out with food packed. Not allowed.

5) Burn those holiday calories

According to my theory, being healthy is more than just eating right; it’s also about the interaction between our energy intake and our activities. Although I personally dislike dieting, I firmly believe that everyone should engage in regular exercise. My experience at Azure Boutique Resort was enlightening and perfectly matched my wellness philosophies. The resort offered an atmosphere that not only promoted physical activity but also blended it into the experience.

6) Owning that beach

Part of unwinding process for certain individuals requires some level of silence from our immediate environment. Azure Boutique Resort offers a private beach. I woke up as early as 5am, to enjoy the morning breeze at the beach and all the times I was there, I was amazed at its beauty. Afternoons at the beach were times when the ocean would “go away” but this was equally amazing as this is something I have not experienced coming from a landlocked country.

7) What I didn’t like:

Since not all goes our way all the time, there was something I didn’t quite like. There was a drainage problem in the shower that caused me movements from one room to another upon request.Hopefully, this has been dealt with as not all customers will end at just a small critique on their blog. All-in-all, this place should be given a 3.5 out of 5 for being a place that is suitable for a getaway.

December 16, 2023 4