Mozambique
We crossed into Mozambique at Mandimba and drove on a terrible road towards Nampula, it took 3 days to cover the distance and all the time having to slow down as conditions were bad. We camped along the way in clearings next to the road and were glad to reach Nampula, stock up on some supplies and head north to Ibo. Ibo is an old administration going back to the colonial days and as a result it has lots of old houses, or should I say ruins. I was told about it by someone I met in Maun but they forgot to mention that it is an island! We arrived to find that to get to the island there are only 2 ferry’s one in the evening and another in the morning, it was now just gone midday. The normal rate is 100 MTC but they wanted 1500 MTC, we were happy to 500 but no more. We hung around and eventually were offered a lift by someone for free at which stage as we were getting into his boat the other guy came along prepared to take us for 500, it was too late.
Ibo main street
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an interesting cowrie facade
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campsite on old farm
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There were only 2 places opened at this time of year, both expensive for what they had to offer, this was the 1st time we felt we were being cheated and this was to last the remainder of our stay in this country. I had wanted to visit Mozambique most of my life and had sooo looked forward to it but no one likes the idea of being ripped off all the time and this is exactly what this place is about.
We only stayed 1 night on the island and left on the next boat to Pemba arriving late at night and booked in a back packers on near the beach south of the town run by an Australian. Pemba seems an industrial town, most buildings being typical of the 70’s, ugly apartment blocks and all run down. We only stayed a few days and headed south to Ilha Mozambique, another place I was looking forward in visiting.
We only stayed 1 night on the island and left on the next boat to Pemba arriving late at night and booked in a back packers on near the beach south of the town run by an Australian. Pemba seems an industrial town, most buildings being typical of the 70’s, ugly apartment blocks and all run down. We only stayed a few days and headed south to Ilha Mozambique, another place I was looking forward in visiting.
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We camped on a beach north of it for 2 days and visited one of the islands with a local fisherman. The beach was littered with giant clams, amazing.
Ilha Mozambique was the old capital of Mozambique a long time ago, it’s a UNESCO world heritage site and has numerous churches, forts and lovely buildings. We found a cheap accommodation in a apartment overlooking the sea. We spent 3 days enjoying ourselves, eating and drinking and laying around in the heat of the day.
Ilha Mozambique was the old capital of Mozambique a long time ago, it’s a UNESCO world heritage site and has numerous churches, forts and lovely buildings. We found a cheap accommodation in a apartment overlooking the sea. We spent 3 days enjoying ourselves, eating and drinking and laying around in the heat of the day.
Driving into the storm
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Church on Ihla Mozambique
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Fort Ihla Mozambique
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kids playing
We left Ilha and drove the long and tiring road south to Inhassoro, we were now in the S.African region of Moz. You notice the difference we were no longer having to struggle in our bad Portuguese as most locals spoke English, shops were better stocked and prices even higher. We stayed in a beach side lodge and the next day found another smaller one recently opened, we managed to catch a boat to the Bazaruto Island. We snorkelled, ate fresh fish and enjoyed the weather. The next day we slowly headed south to Vilanculos and Tofu where spent a few days and nights and then headed further south towards Xai-Xai and the South African border.
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it rained a lot
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