3 July, 2015
Vilanculous, Mozambique
Archipelago Resort
We are enjoying chilling in one spot I have to say. Yesterday's walk ended being very hot & bothersome so today we headed off much earlier so much cooler.
Not far up the road we came across what we had thought yesterday was a college and today this was confirmed by large groups of students in graduation gear including mortar boards preparing for their big day. Groups of proud parents dressed to the nines stood around and pop up street vendors were doing a roaring trade selling bunches of flowers. We learnt later that it is in fact a teachers training college.
On we went & waved to all and sundry before spending a quiet day discussing & formulating our return trip to SA & more planning for the return trip to Mozambique with Angus & Gen. Our host / manager has been very helpful and is a font of local knowledge.
In our walking around we have discovered a local archeological site of interest. It dates back to the times of Arab slave & general trading. There is a stand of Baobab trees
(which unusual). Probably self seeded as the fruit is a delicacy & the pips would have been spat out.
The other interesting factor is the midden of shells visible whilst walking along the beach.
Popped into Vilanculous for some supplies. Our practice is to buy from local shops when possible so we bought some charcoal & a little purse from separate vendors who were desperate for the sale. Most of the local population are very poor but very resourceful. It was heartbreaking to observe that (this is our assumption, not confirmed) we think they may have been selling 'on commission' for the 'local mafia'. The bottle shop was cheaper than the supermarket for gin & R spends ages building a rapport so we usually end up learning something & having a laugh or smile. Lots of handshakes!!! We are usually addressed as Mother/Mama or Boss so we know we are classified as old. The average lifespan here at the moment is 53 so we must seem a bit long in the tooth.
We used our charcoal to good effect with a delicious bbq.