My brother-in-law, Dan, is less of a world traveler and more of an explorer. Whereas you or I might go on vacation to London, he lives there, and vacations and spends other assorted spare time traveling to far-flung places and singlehandedly upping CB’s Google Analytics country count (he was the one visit from Myanmar earlier this year). But he’s only one of three visitors in 2015 from Malawi, which is where he’s spending the first week of this fine October. Malawi. Here’s all you need to know about Malawi, from Wikipedia:

Malawi is among the world’s least-developed countries. The economy is heavily based in agriculture, with a largely rural population. The Malawian government depends heavily on outside aid to meet development needs, although this need (and the aid offered) has decreased since 2000. The Malawian government faces challenges in building and expanding the economy, improving education, health care, environmental protection, and becoming financially independent. Malawi has several programs developed since 2005 that focus on these issues, and the country’s outlook appears to be improving, with improvements in economic growth, education and healthcare seen in 2007 and 2008.

Malawi has a low life expectancy and high infant mortality. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which is a drain on the labour force and government expenditures. There is a diverse population of native peoples, Asians and Europeans, with several languages spoken and an array of religious beliefs. Although there was periodic regional conflict fuelled in part by ethnic divisions in the past, by 2008 it had diminished considerably and the concept of a Malawian nationality had re-emerged.

What to do in Malawi, besides not touch anything and pray for bottled water? Dan golfed, and somehow found decent enough 3G coverage to send photos and this missive, through iMessage, of course. His words and pictures:

Roll up to the ‘country club’ and they look at me strange wondering what I want. Nobody seemed to know the cost and there wasn’t exactly a clubhouse for someone to help me out. Eventually sorted it out for 1,500 kwacha temporary membership fee, 600 Kwacha greens fee, 1500 for clubs/balls/tees and then I would find caddies. Had 4 different people offering to caddy immediately and they would find me golf clubs to borrow/use along with whatever few golf balls and tees they had. I Picked a guy that seemed to have himself most together in general and the least shitty set of clubs and so I was off with him and another dude as a second caddy, along with my driver, fairway wood, 4, 6, 8, 9, PW and putter. Continue Reading