Bright and early the Landrover was packed and we set off for the small coastal hideaway of Ponta De Milibangalala in southern Mozambique. Our trip started out smokin…literally. An hour into our long drive our spirits were high and our excitement to get there was overwhelming, when the next thing we know the Landrover is smoking! We pulled over and waited for a Landrover mechanic to come and take a look. We received bad news and had to get towed back to Empangeni. After several repairs, it was determined that the Landrover had a blown head gasket. We were all pretty bummed out and thought that we were not going to get to go. Luckily, our crossed fingers worked and a bakkie (truck) was lent to us. We repacked and off we went…again. However, we left too late to be able to cross the boarder so we found a place to camp in Kosi Bay. Kosi Bay was where I discovered something so odd…pineapples do not grow on trees! I feel a bit better knowing that this is a pretty common misconception but my friends sure thought I was crazy!
We packed up camp at the crack of dawn and headed to the Mozambique boarder. Well like us, a gazillion other eager travelers were anxiously waiting at the boarder. Finally, after a few hours of lines and waiting we were on our way to Ponta De Milibangalala. Once we were into Mozambique, we drove on a freeway that will make you never complain about Utah road conditions again!
It was pretty muddy and wet! With the sand, we had to drive pretty slowly and it took us almost three and a half hours to drive approximately 70 km (43 miles). Our camping spot was located in the Maputu Elephant Reserve and once we got to the reserve I asked Janien to fetch me a monkey apple that I kept seeing. They were everywhere and I was interested in them. I was in the process of spitting the bitter and disgusting piece out of my mouth when Chris informed me not to eat it because it was not going to be good. Just a bit too slow! While passing Lake Xingutu, there were a few hippos and I made them stop to take some pictures. I still get excited about these things! We stopped at a small shop to get some drinks and see the ever so intriguing pineapple plant up close. I was so fascinated when I saw one that I had to get a picture with it. I am a dork and now I even want to grow one!
After setting up camp, we eagerly took off to the beautiful blue ocean. Our first day was pretty chill swimming and hanging around camp.
The next morning us girls decided to take a hefty walk on the beach to meet the boys and kiddos at a point on the beach where they were fishing. Upon our arrival, we were quickly informed that we should have gone with them because they saw the only herd of elephants that was seen all weekend! I had been anxiously waiting to go proper snorkeling and the time finally came! Chris took me and it was so amazing! To be able to swim amongst several schools of fish was an incredible feeling!
We saw so many different types of fish and even a stingray. The only problem with the stingray was it startled me a bit and I was so excited that I saw it, that I quickly scared it away with my underwater screaming. Earlier that morning, the boys had been searching in the rocks for some crayfish. It was really cool to watch them and to see them catch some. They were able to catch a few along with muscles and clams. We were able to eat them for dinner and boy was it yummy!
After dinner, we set off to go night fishing. Several of my friends are big into fishing and I was so excited to go and see shoreline fishing. Not only was I excited to see it but also to fish in the dark. We fished for a few hours under the moonlight and we were all able to catch some. I caught two fish; a very pretty fish called a speckled snapper and a grey grunter.
There is so much that goes into fishing and I don’t think I could ever learn it all. That’s why I will just go with these guys; let them do the hard work and I will reap the benefits!
We spent our last day in Mozambique soaking up the sun on beach. I went for a nice long walk on the beach and met the crew at the point again. Since it was low tide, we spent some time searching in rock pools for seashells.
After collecting numerous seashells, Janien and I set out to snorkel again.
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| Look close and you can see all of the flag tails! |
That night, I had to share my American camping tradition of making smores. Most of my friends have never had them, let alone even heard of them. I was excited for the kids to see what they were and to take apart of something that is such a camping tradition in my family.
Even with the replacement of graham crackers for Marie biscuits, they were still a big hit and everyone seemed to enjoy them. Since we had spent the whole day at the beach, we figured we might as well go back to watch the moon come up and the stars. We had such a great time at the beach and shared many laughs.
We were all pretty sad to pack up the next day and begin our trip home. It had started pouring rain so it really was not very fun. I am so lucky that I was able to go on this trip and to have such great group friends! This will be a trip and experience that I will never forget.
