logologo
Nicola Ann Art
  • Home
  • About
  • Commercial Photography
    • Architectural
    • Dental
    • Commissioned
  • Art
    • Abstract Art
    • Original Art Prints
    • Digital Art
    • Fine Art Photography
  • Photo-Journal
  • Contact
Previous Post
Next Post
Dec 30
in 4x4, Cities, Travel 0 comments tags: Maputo, Mozambique, Nicola Ann Art, Nicola Beykirch, Peri-Peri, Polana Serena Hotel, Tofo Beach

Mozambique’s Tofo Beach to its capital Maputo

Early breakfast. Early departure. We drove from Tofo Beach, with a couple of stops en route, a total of seven hours, to Maputo. Through the main towns traffic jams, car accidents, wedding parties and livestock greeted us from every direction. Fortunately, the national asphalt roads were well maintained and drivers mostly behaved. Unlike when we first entered Mozambique.

GRAND DAME BECKONS 

After checking into the palatial Grand Dame of African Hotels, known as the Polana Serena, we decided to leave the car behind and walk to Baixa, old town Maputo. Mozambique’s capital city, previously known as Lourenço Marques. After twenty minutes winding through the backstreets, we reached one of the wide main roads leading straight into the town. Suddenly it no longer felt safe and exciting. Many were finishing work and didn’t appear too pleased to see us, the only tourists as far as the eye could wander. 

FOOT DOWN

“Let’s go back and get the car!” This time I put my foot down, defiantly insistent. Being enclosed within a vehicle made all the difference to feeling safer. Still, I felt on edge, keeping my wits about me even when in the car, ensuring the doors were locked and windows rolled up. 

BUSTLING CENTRAL MARKET

At the Mercado Central de Maputo, also called the “Bazar da Baixa”, a covered market built in 1901 housed within a Portuguese colonial building, its design dating back to 1900. We stocked up on good quality fresh produce, along with peri-peri cashew nuts and sauce, both being the hottest and tastiest ever devoured. The vendors welcomed us without pressuring us to buy anything. We tended to purchase from the friendliest, despite wanting to support all of them. 

DEEPEST DARKEST AFRICA

A drive through the deepest, darkest streets where hawkers sold clothing alongside the road and people over spilt onto the road, blocked vehicles passing by. Evident of their struggles, it proved challenging to relax and appreciate our fortune of being able to travel and explore. 

DEAFENING CONTRAST

A few streets up, towards the coast, the nucleus point in the town is the Praca de Independencia, a public square where a statue of Samora Machel, the country’s first president, looms. Surrounding Machel, the French-Mozambican cultural centre has been elegantly restored to its colonial splendour. The Roman Catholic cathedral gleams a brilliant white, almost too perfect for the rest of the town.  

HUNGER STRIKES

Searching TripAdvisor, Peri-Peri, the restaurant on the outskirts of the old town came highly rated. All the tables inside, people relishing the aircon, were occupied. Outside, the humid heat clung to our bodies. But the food made it worth it, very much worthy.

ANOTHER WORLD

It’s hard to believe the Polana Serena Hotel was less than four kilometres away from the old town, the contrast so palpable it made me feel out of sorts. 

I’m undecided if I’d ever have a need or desire to return to Maputo. Perhaps as a stopover, for practical reasons and to dine at Peri-Peri again.

Please Note: For copyright purposes, the resolution of each image below is considerably reduced.

Share this:
1125
18
About the Author: Nicola

  • Five-star Safari & Adventure At Motswari Geiger’s Camp

    FROM ESWATINI BACK TO SOUTH Read more

    in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road, Safari, South Africa, Sunrise, Sunset, Travel 0 comments
    15
  • Voyage Unveiled: Sailing Dream from Gibraltar to Israel

    A maritime odyssey from Summer 2017 to Summer 2023 Read more

    in Adventure, Sailing 0 comments
    4
  • Sailing Today: Peace in Greece

    FIRST SAIL OF THE SEASON

    NEW FOREST, Read more

    in Adventure, Cycling, Nature, The United Kingdom 0 comments
    11
  • Late bluebell bloomers in hampstead heath

    I captured the bluebells too early this season. Read more

    in London, Nature, The United Kingdom 0 comments
    6
  • To The Sea… Broadstairs, Kent

    Read more
    in Beach, Black & White, The United Kingdom 0 comments
    9
  • Electric Cycling in lockdown

    'What’s different to do in Lockdown? Other than Read more

    in Cities, Cycling, London, The United Kingdom, Uncategorized 0 comments
    10
  • Snowy Hampstead Heath

    Sun, snow, blue sky and running free in Hampstead Read more

    in London, Nature 0 comments
    7
  • London’s “Riviera”

    Mind the hissing swans at Tower Beach...

    Autumnal leaves on my doorstep, something I’ve come to Read more

    in London, Nature 0 comments
    11
  • ‘Adriatic alternatives’ ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY SAILING TODAY MAGAZINE

    Read more

    in Nature, Sailing, Travel 0 comments
    29
  • Sailing from venice to croatia on Bella Rose, our oyster 545 yacht

    Once Bella Rose, our Oyster 545 yacht, Read more

    in Adventure, Nature, Sailing, Sunset 0 comments
    16
  • LOST IN ITALY… VENICE, DOLOMITES & Lake Garda

    Sadly, with the world in crisis, this year’s Read more

    in Adventure, Cities, Nature, Travel 0 comments
    30
  • Poppit Sands Beach, Cardigan bay and Brecon Beacons wales

    While waiting for international borders to open, to be Read more

    in Beach, Hiking, Nature, The United Kingdom 0 comments
    17
  • Brightlingsea, Essex Sunshine Coast

    Read more
    in Beach, The United Kingdom 0 comments
    11
  • London easing out of lockdown…

    It still felt as though the city was abandoned; a Read more

    in London, The United Kingdom 0 comments
    16
  • ‘THE REST IS ISTRIA’ ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY SAILING TODAY MAGAZINE

    Read more

    in Sailing, Travel 0 comments
    31
  • Out of lockdown straight to Leigh-on-Sea

    The moment the lockdown guidelines eased, we emerged Read more

    in Beach, The United Kingdom 0 comments
    19
  • ‘greece is the word’ article PUBLISHED BY SAILING TODAY MAGAZINE

    Read more

    in Sailing, Travel 0 comments
    12
  • blue bells blooming early Hampstead Heath

    The blue bells blooming early this year, due to the Read more

    in London, Nature, The United Kingdom 0 comments
    15
  • Coronavirus cuts short the Venice Carnival

    25 JANUARY 2020

    After settling in at Anvil Bay, we experienced a first Read more

    in 4x4, Adventure, Beach, Off-Road, Sailing, Travel 0 comments
    12
  • Maputo To Anvil Bay Via MAPUTO SPECIAL RESERVE Mozambique

    Early breakfast; early getaway. And direct to Maputo Read more

    in 4x4, Adventure, Beach, Nature, Off-Road, Travel 0 comments
    17
  • Mozambique’s Tofo Beach to its capital Maputo

    Early breakfast. Early departure. We drove from Tofo Read more

    in 4x4, Cities, Travel 0 comments
    18
  • Tofo Beach, Mozambique

    On the road again… After breakfast, we left Naara Eco Read more

    in 4x4, Adventure, Beach, Off-Road, Travel 0 comments
    14
  • Motswari, South Africa to Naara Eco Lodge & Spa, Mozambique

    Leaving Motswari Private Game Reserve, Timbavati, Read more

    in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road, South Africa 0 comments
    14
  • Southern Africa Adventure Memel-Zamani, South Africa to Bulembu, Eswatini

    While exploring off-road through the Free State we Read more

    in 4x4, Adventure, Off-Road, South Africa 0 comments
    16
  • Another Daring Off-road Adventure through Southern Africa

    BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL, Read more

    in Adventure, Cities, Sailing, Travel 0 comments
    13
  • PART 4: ALBANIA TO MONTENEGRO | BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER of 2019

    BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL, Read more

    in Adventure, Sailing, Sunset, Travel 0 comments
    12
  • PART 3: The Greek Islands to Albania | BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER of 2019

    BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL, Read more
    in Off-Road, Sailing, Travel 3 comments
    16

  • PART 2: SICILY TO THE GREEK ISLANDS|BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER 2019

    Bella Rose, Oyster 545, Up For Sail, Read more
    in Sailing, Travel, Uncategorized 5 comments
    16

  • PART 1: MALTA TO SICILY | BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER 2019

    Read more

    in Sailing 0 comments
    16
  • Tower Bridge opens up for the new “Pocket Superyacht” Oyster 565

    A thrilling experience to behold, from the top of Read more

    in Uncategorized 0 comments
    17
  • Purification Ritual Durban Beach

    My eyes and ears were attracted by the glee two Read more

    in Beach, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, People, Swimming 0 comments
    14
  • London’s Free-for-All Brick Canvas at Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel


    Overhearing a couple animatedly talking about the Read more

    in Art, London, Street Photography 0 comments
    19
  • Amakhosi Private Game Reserve
    The day after Mauritius, from 14th – 17th December, I retreated to the middle Read more
    in 4x4, Adventure, Nature, Off-Road, Safari, Sunrise, Sunset, Wildlife 0 comments
    9
  • Surprise photo shoot on the Rocks (CC)
    Finally I’d discovered a local camera club, attended a first monthly meeting at Read more
    in on the Rocks camera club, Photo shoot 0 comments
    9

Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts
  • Voyage Unveiled: Sailing Dream from Gibraltar to Israel
  • Sailing Today: Peace in Greece
  • greek odyssey: LEFKAS, GREECE
  • Electric Mountain Biking is a New Addiction
  • Late bluebell bloomers in hampstead heath
Recent Comments
  • Percival on PART 2: SICILY TO THE GREEK ISLANDS|BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER 2019
  • Alexander on PART 3: The Greek Islands to Albania | BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER of 2019
  • Nicola on PART 2: SICILY TO THE GREEK ISLANDS|BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER 2019
  • Nicola on PART 3: The Greek Islands to Albania | BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER of 2019
  • Alexander on PART 3: The Greek Islands to Albania | BELLA ROSE, OYSTER 545, UP FOR SAIL | SUMMER of 2019
Archives
  • September 2023
  • March 2022
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
Categories
  • 4×4
  • Adventure
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Back2Blighty
  • Beach
  • Black & White
  • Cities
  • Custom furniture
  • Cycling
  • Dubai
  • Durban
  • Exhibition
  • Fashion
  • Hiking
  • KwaZulu-Natal
  • Lifestyle Portrait
  • London
  • Nature
  • Not-for-profit
  • Off-Road
  • on the Rock camera club
  • on the Rocks camera club
  • People
  • Photo shoot
  • Promotions
  • Rugby
  • Safari
  • Sailing
  • South Africa
  • Street Photography
  • Sugarcane
  • Sunrise
  • Sunset
  • Swimming
  • The United Kingdom
  • Travel
  • Umdloti beach
  • Uncategorized
  • Wildlife
Archives
  • September 2023
  • March 2022
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
Recent Posts
  • Voyage Unveiled: Sailing Dream from Gibraltar to Israel
  • Sailing Today: Peace in Greece
  • greek odyssey: LEFKAS, GREECE
  • Electric Mountain Biking is a New Addiction
  • Late bluebell bloomers in hampstead heath
Copyright © 2013 - 2023 Nicola Ann Art. All Rights Reserved.