Hello all, more piccies of our adventure.
We had a fab few days camping in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Swaziland – which has been set up to allow people to walk through out the whole sanctuary. Saw tonnes of animals, birds, did breathtaking early morning walks and fed bushbabies on bananas in the evening. Try and read the sign in the picture where Matt is on all fours – it will all become clear!!
After Swaziland, we crossed the border into Mozambique and have been trying to communicate in Spangloportugeseish! Headed to the capital; Maputo. Spent a couple of days there, sorting out boring stuff (visas etc) highlight was dinner at the fish market. After lots of bartering we chose lobsters and tiger prawns and nice chap grilled them and served with chips…. so so so delicious!
A day’s drive north (and two dodgy police stops – cost us 50quid in bribes – grr) took us to Tofo. We had a few days chilling on the beautiful beach, and eating fresh seafood from the market (and matt’s fishing line!). Very chilled. Bonnie discovered how yummy sugar cane is…
After another day’s drive further north, we arrived in Vilanculos – gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago (Marine National Park thingy). Lampy, we swopped our theatre trip for a day trip on a dhow to Margaruque Island – snorkelling and delicious barracuda and crab lunch – hope you don’t mind… it was really fabulous (and couldn’t find anything good on at the theatre!). Thank you! Dad Stagg – check out the size of the Cowry shell (we did put it back carefully!)…
After chilling on the islands, we faced a three day mega-journey up to Isla Do Mocambique in North Moz. 5am-5pm driving every day, serious heat, crap potholed roads – or sometimes no road at all, and lots of peeing on the side of the road. Had to catch a ferry across the Zambesi – Matt had to do some very aggressive drving to get our car on, competing with big trucks (3rd time it worked!), used our fab mozzy net for the first time – thanks very much Danny and Amanda – kept us free of bites (except when bonnie kicked it open in middle of night!), and drove bridge across the sea to get to our destination; Isla.
Isla do Mocambique was capital of Portugese East Africa from 14th century… so lots of amazing grand old colonial buildings, crumbling and ignored by locals. Really fascinating to wonder through the streets, and inspired us to take lots of arty shots (don’t worry won’t put them here!). We camped in a local’s courtyard (see black and white piccy). The bread picture is from the night market, which we loved. The last two piccies are us on the roof catching sunset.
posted Thursday November 2006