I didn’t find what I was looking for in Mozambique. But it has some nice beaches and friendly people.
We arrived at the border early in the morning. After visa and traffic insurance paper worked we were ready to enter Mozambique.
Ferry wanted to check the road before leave. No phone! He put in to charge in the morning where we were staying in Swaziland and he forgot to take it. The place was 25 km far from the border. We were sure that if he goes back he could find the phone. The problem is we applied for a single entry to Mozambique and we already got the stamp. Leave the phone behind or pay 75 USD again for the visa. This was not a good option for us because we will spend money for nothing. At the same time one lady came out from the visa office to take something from her car, which was next to us. I started to talk with her and explain our problem. In the beginning she said that if Swaziland border didn’t put stamp on his passport everything could be fine. But he was going to another country how they can accept for it. She was telling us we had single visa and already had stamp. After talk a while she said Ferry to go inside with here. Ferry came out with exit stamp from Mozambique. They told him they would help us.
I told Ferry to go and I could wait on the border. I was in front of the visa office it should be fine. Our Indonesian friends were with us as well. We told them that they can leave if they want we can meet a campsite again. They preferred wait with me. Which was so nice. Because I didn’t know how long it could take. He needs to ride dirt road and enter-exit Swaziland again.
Ferry turn back 1.5 hours later. Swaziland had enter-exit stamp again. And they took 50 R road tax again. The old receipt didn’t work we paid 50 R 4 days ago when we entered first time because he exits one time already. They were so helpful on the Mozambique border. They gave second enter stamp to Ferry and finally we entered the country.
We hit the road but couldn’t go so far because we spent a lot of time on the border. We turned a sandy road from the main road. Where we were looking to stay was closed. We saw another sign to stay. It was soft send to ride. So Mario and I waited. Ferry went 3-4 km to ask for camping. When he came back we learned that he doesn’t allow to camping but it wasn’t crowded at the moment and coming sunset. So, he allowed to camp for us one night.
Next day we hit the road again to go some beaches. Main road of Mozambique was so boring for us. Nothing was really special to see. If you want to turn anywhere you need to say hello to sand. 😉
We passed a lot of countries in Africa until Mozambique and we never get stopped before because of the speed limit. We are always so careful about the rules because we don’t want to pay for bribe. The sign says 80 and than suddenly 40. They stopped us because his speed was 45. We said we always careful for that and went slow than. They said ok. In 100 km other speed control. They said speed limit is 60 and his speed was 65. For us, it was impossible because Ferry saw the sign and passed slow I was just behind him. And he had a car in front of him who was going fast. They decided to stop Ferry. We talk with them for 15 minutes. We saw that nobody was planning to give a ticket for us because of the 5 km difference; more they wanted a bribe. Of course we didn’t pay anything.
We arrived afternoon to our second place and spent two days in the swimming pool. Here was last point to be together with our friends.
We were keep continue to the north and arrived at another beach. I was on the sandy road for 18 km. I really got enjoy that moment. Maybe, because of my new bags or because of new tires. Nothing shaking on my motorcycle anymore and motorcycle is keeping the road well. Of course, it was enjoyable to ride.
We didn’t like so much the place where we stayed. Therefore two days later we hit to road again towards Tofo beach, Inhambane. I wanted diving in Mozambique. It was the best place to see sharks and dive. But I wasn’t lucky to see sharks. Anyway, it was nice dives and I see big mantas.
We were looking for our road a little as well to where we want to go first after Mozambique. When we learned about the kaza visa for Zimbabwe and Zambia we decided to turn back South Africa and go to Botswana. After that get one visa and enter two countries. So, after Tofo we decided to turn back and stayed a couple of day our second place to get rest.
We passed the sandy road and arrived at a little village on the tar road. I felt something wrong with my motorcycle. At the same time Ferry said that I had a flat tire. How is it possible! We were almost next to a tire repair shop. So, we didn’t want to fix it our self because it is taking ages with bike pomp to fix it. We saw actually I didn’t have a flat tire. Where I had problem in my inner tube in Gabon. The point was opened. We fixed it after 5 minutes barging we paid 340 MT. They wanted 500 MT.
Finally, we arrived where we wanted to stay. Our plan was two days in the beginning but we were there 7 days. It was a nice place which is quiet, cheap, with own private shower… etc. Actually, it was a good break for us to write our articles, get rest, take care motorcycle, and talk a little for our road plan….
GS
