down in mozam

mozambique(A!) during the two week school holiday between terms danny and i went to mozambique! the trip was all together enlightening, really enjoyable, and it was exciting to be out of south africa. it felt like the racial tension just melted away. but, everything is more romantic if you're just passing through. while south africa can feel heavy i'm thankful to spend enough time here to experience the good and the bad as more than just a tourist. however, being a tourist in mozambique was kick ass.

coconut groves near inhambane/tofu. basking. we camped off the beach for $6 a night, read in hammocks, got stung by baby jelly fish, went to a manta ray lecture, delighted in fresh fruits, veggies, cashews and bread, and woke with the sunrise over the indian ocean.

market in vilankulos locals were set up in a weaving labyrinth of stalls selling fruits, veggies, crafts, home items, clothing, cooking ware, fabric, etc. the gorgeous fabric is a practical and integral part of life used for skirts, baby harnesses, bags, head wraps, blankets, and more. love the patterns.

dhow sailing to the bazaruto archipelago near vilunkulos we met our temporary mom, a portuguese woman, and her two kids in town. on a grey unpromising sailing day the 5 of us agreed to take our chances and go snorkeling. the rain held off and we saw an abundance of aquatic life on the reef! and then it came. the 45 minute trip back took about 2 hours. we all hid under tarps yet were drenched by waves. it was cold and rocky but kind of awesome. the next morning we travelled to maputo with the family sharing taxis and food.

natural history museum in maputo imagine similar dioramas in a room the size of a basketball court. in other rooms were huge glass cylinders of formaldehyde with various creatures, a world renowned elephant fetus display, insects, but mostly more fearsome dioramas.

maputo street sides i fell in love with the art, architecture, and expression pouring out of mozambique's surface. typical plastic coca cola store signs were replaced with hand painted murals, paintings and gaping holes on buildings and roads spoke of the remnants of civil war, portuguese colonial remains crafted romantic city scapes, everyone spoke portuguese, street side cafes were on every corner, and espresso was less than $1.