Pemba, Ulala and Caiperinha - all exotic sounding...

... and it is!

To arrive in Pemba after a 7 hour transfer from Ihla de Mozambique was great. A city of contrasts - from the beaches, the old fisherman part of the city to the booming industrial areas with all international oil and gas companies present - or so it seems.

Our chosen spot for the night, Ulala Lodge is about 20 minutes outside the city, a highly recommendable Hideaway with great food, hospitality and same for comfortable accommodation!

As we speak, (write) we are on the 4 hour drive to Tanganyanga for our Dhow sail over to the assumed highlight of the Mozambiquen part of our adventure, Ibo Island!

Caiperinha by the way is a Brazilian drink - similar to Mojito - exotic...

Ihla de Mozambique - a walk in history and culture who need digestion...

Approaching the several km long bridge to this renowned and a bit mystical island, our vehicle is unusual quiet.

One vehicle at the time, pockets to pass each other and the surrounding Indian ocean with ladies picking seaweed and fishermen constantly working to  get their catch..

Amazing...

Same for our hotel...

But as all the impressions and experiences of today surely will be better shared after some time, also a "dive" into all photos and videos, let's use some lines on what was almost equally impressing - THE FOOD...

All meals here have so far been great, plentiful and tasty, but todays choices made my day!

Lunch with Tuna Carpaccio and Smoked Marlin salad was a adventure for the tastebuds and senses. Accompanied by a fresh Portuguese white wine it all become a winner.

So one should expect a "down" for the dinner, but a hearty fishsoup with fish, prawns, vegetables and potatoes - spiced with some great green peri peri was not far after the stunning lunch!

After lunch, a good walk around the island, visiting hotels and sights as the old fort made this far to short stay on a amazing island memorable. 

Tomorrow up with the birds for a long 7 hours drive to Pemba and a little taste of some BEACH LIFE!!!

Nampula - Gateway to the intriguing islands

Nampula - third largest city in Mozambique and the province seat.

A gentle first stop for many, maybe for the first time visiting Africa, with wide and spacious streets and lush surroundings, Nampula offers all you need, and in a slow welcoming way.

The few sights to be seen includes the beautiful Carheral of Nossa Senhora de Fatima, The National Ethnography Museum and the Sunday morning Craft Market.

As a Monday keep most museums in the world closed for us we did the cathedral and went visiting a local railway station planning a alternative and adventurous way of getting here, before picking our fellow travellers on the airport. 

For evenings Nampula offer many different restaurants, with tasty Portuguese inspiered meals.

Today Ihla de Mozambique is our destination, a 3 km long and 500 m wide intriguing island with all of its culture and history...