Ilha

I breakfasted on coffee, mango and omelette and then hit the road early to take local transport towards Ilha de Moçambique (Mozambique Island). It’s only around 115 kilometres from Nacala but navigating the correct stop and minivan travelling in the right direction, plus travel time to Ilha, took me around 8 hours in the end. A municipal police officer latched on as I was waiting by the side of the road, and then wanted my phone number, which he entered by the name of Robedy despite my best efforts to spell it.

I rolled onto the island at around 3pm, with sore knees from being cramped in a 12-person vehicle carrying at least 35, hungry and dehydrated. However, all of that was soon dispelled by the beauty and tranquillity of Ilha. The history exudes from every corner of this unique and fascinating place. I enjoyed my first late afternoon stroll, and very much looked forward to the best part of a week to be spent here.