Loving Mozambique

Trip Start Sep 04, 2007

Trip End Mar 05, 2008

Loading Map

Map your own trip!

Map Options

Show trip route

Hide lines

Flag of Mozambique Maputo, Mozambique
Saturday, March 1, 2008

Lauren and I arrived from at the Malawi-Mozambique border from Blantyre. We luckily met a Malawian traveling to Mozambique for "business." He spoke both English and Portuguese among other languages and turned out to be invaluable to us. He helped with our Mozambican visas and also organized taxis and porters for our bags (a wonderful luxury) all of which he paid for. He seemed to make this trip quite often because he had friends at both borders. We all travelled to Tete where Lauren and I hoped to catch another bus to our next town but we were minutes late. Our Malawian friend had to leave us at the bus stop so he could conduct his "business." He was returning to Malawi that same day so what his "business" was I can't say.

Lauren and I eventually found a hotel which was difficult at first as much was lost in translation. We eventually had to suck it up and get a room that was expensive but had AC (only the second place that I stayed with AC) and was a 2 minute walk from the bus station

Moon at Vilanculos

. The hotel's location came in handy when we had to catch the 430 am bus the next morning.

From Tete we rode to Chimoio which was a 7 hour bus ride on a 30-seater bus. A 30-seater bus in Africa doesn't mean you can fit 30 people on the bus but you fit 40 people plus luggage and produce bought along the way. We had a pack on the floor were our feet should of been and the other pack we were sitting on. We luckily met two Israeli sisters traveling to Chimoio on this bus also. It is always nice to meet fellow travelers.

In Chimoio we spent the night in anticipation for another painfully early morning. With the Israeli sisters we caught a minibus to a crossroads (Inchope). We then caught the bus to Vilanculos. This was one of the most difficult bus rides of my trip. It was only about 6 hours long but I spent 5 of those hours hugging my knees. Not fun. When we got to Vilanculos we had finally reached the coast. We were in Vilanculos for 3 nights enjoying the beach.

We left the Israeli girls in Vilanculos and traveled by minibus to Maxixe. In Maxixe we caught a small boat to Inhambane. Inhumbane turned out to be a really nice town. Very quiet and chilled out. We spent 2 days here just exploring the town because there is no beach here.

After Inhumbane we traveled to Tofo. A very short 45 minute minibus ride from Inhumbane. In Tofo we were again beach bums spending 5 nights here before going to Maputo the capital of Mozambique.

Vilanculos

It was a 10 hour journey from Tofo to Maputo in a 30-seater bus which was surprisingly comfortable ride. Maputo was amazing. It had a very European feel and was similar to Latin American towns (or so I was told). All I know is that I was amazed by the mall and the cafes on every corner. There was lots to see and do in Maputo with museums, art galleries, restaurants, stores, and coffee shops. I wish that I could have stayed in Maputo longer. Maputo is where I left Lauren and continued on my own once again.

From Maputo I travelled to South Africa. I was sad to be leaving "real" Africa behind but glad to be one step closer to home.