Reflections on Mozambique

Mesmerising Mozambique! I will always love this beautiful country filled with beautiful people. The exquisitely pristine sandy white beaches, the smiles on the happy faces of the locals. Our experiences were largely limited for 2 reasons: 1) The beaches were closed due to Covid and 2) Our path north along the coastline was restricted due to the ongoing insurgent activities in Cabo Delgado. You can still see remnants of a country ravaged by war and poverty is widespread, exacerbated by Covid.

The 1st lesson I have learnt was on day 1 of our travels: THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PREPARATION AND EXPERIENCE

The 2nd lesson I have learnt is that you measure travelling in Africa in time, not distance. Excluding the towing trip, our slowest day averaged 38km/hr , our fastest average, a whopping 51km/hr.

First experiences for me: 

Saw my 1st Baobab tree ever

Crossed the Tropic of Capricorn on land

Many years ago I watched a Carte Blanche story on a HIV positive Mozambican lady living in Maputo. She was growing all of her own vegetables as she believed that controlling her food source benefitted her health. She parted with some wisdom by saying that the difference between a South African and a Mozambican is that the South African stands with their hands out and a Mozambican helps themselves. And,  despite no assistance, grants or subsidies from the Government, these people still smile and share their love.

Topi Paul, a Portuguese expat with family in Maputo, a fellow crew member on the trip up to Bazaruto in 1990, summarised Mozambique best by saying: When you have coal & kindling, you have no matches. When you have coal & matches, you have no kindling. And when you have matches & kindling, you have no coal. And if you are ever lucky enough to have all 3, you have no food to cook. 

It is a hard life, but they generally remain happy people and we were welcomed everywhere.