Mozambique fishermen are your best beach clean-up crew...using washed-up flip-flops as buoys for their fishing nets

We experienced Mozambique by train, bus, taxi, pick-up truck, kayak, chapa van, 18-wheeler (sitting in the back with the cargo!), dhow sail boat, row boat, and a few other modes of transport during our stay in this fascinating country. Each step gave us invaluable insight and access into the inner workings of Mozambique, its people, gorgeous landscape, historic charms, and all the oddball nuances that let You Know Your In Mozambique When…

Local fishermen are your best beach clean-up crew…using washed-up flip-flops as buoys for their fishing nets. (above photo)

The term "house plant" takes on a whole new meaning in Mozambique

The term “house plant” takes on a whole new meaning.

How many people fit in a chappa van?

Ten people can fit in a row of seats meant for four people (this photo shows six of the passengers in our row. Not visible is me, the kid on my lap, and the mother and child to my right.

Mozambique sunset

The sun sets on the northern coast and you’d think the water has been set ablaze.

Portuguese forts in Mozambique

You have more Portuguese forts dotting your coast-line than Portugal itself.

The immigration office gets so flustered by a paper jam they will shut down the visa machine for two hours until a tech-savvy tourist comes along (aka. Mike).

Shopping from the train window in Mozambique

You can get all your grocery shopping done from your train window.

Crossing the Mozambique Tanzania border by boat

Your northernmost border can only be crossed by leaky dhow boat through hippo-infested waters (note: Try not to catch the 6:30pm “sunset nail-bter”)

Moving equipment with a dhow boat in Mozambique

Dhow boats are the island delivery method of choice (aka. the ONLY choice) for everything from fruits to spices to 1,400 pound machinery.

– The Quirmbas islands are so perfect you would think you were staring at a screen saver.

The buildings of Ibo Island Mozambique

– A fresh coat of paint and stucco is so last century (literally).

Hitchhiking through Mozambique

– You have a better chance of hitching a ride on an 18-wheel banana truck than catching a bus or a taxi in the northern territories.

Silversmiths in Mozambique

– Some of your best silversmiths have, sadly, yet to hit puberty.

Med students selling bus seats in Mozambique

– Even medical students will sell you a seat on their school bus to earn a few extra bucks.

Islands of Mozambique

– Islands scatter along the entire northern coast like musical notes on a Mozart concerto.

8 Comments

  1. Mike – you should do a whole book with the “you know you’re in —” theme, chapter by chapter. This will sell! We have no power your mom just got back power. Check in later. All the best

  2. David Carillet says:

    Well played on the house plant. 🙂

  3. Anna Kate says:

    Awesome post! I felt like I got a taste of Mozambique! It’s crazy how many people can be fit on a bus!

  4. It seems that around every corner will be a mystery, only to find that people are people no matter where you go.

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