The High Life in Vilankulo

Aside from almost killing a security guard my first few days in Vilanculos were pretty uneventful, that said I did have the pleasure of helping Eusabio build his piroque. However, the arrival of Mum and Dad, along with their good friends Sue and Peet, signaled the start of some rather special adventures - not to mention a wedding (more of that in the next blog).

Eusabio and His Masterpiece

I was expecting to be staying with Sue and Peet, and then booking various activities to get the full experience in Vilanculos. Yet when I arrived at the airport to meet everyone I knew this would be quite a special week. I had been told to arrive at the airport at 11:30, which I did despite being babolas (hung over), only to discover there were no scheduled flights due to arrive until 15:30. There was however a private flight landing at 11:30 - somehow Mum had failed to inform me Peet had his own plane!

My Reading Hut

From that moment on I knew the week ahead would be quite a special one, and on arriving at Sue and Peet's house I was blown away - most people don't even have a first house like this, let alone a holiday house in Mozambique. The views were simply breathtaking, and rather than try and describe them I will let the pictures tell the story here.

Sunrise At Kingfisher Bay

Peet's big passion is fishing, a passion he has indulged in for some forty years now, and the fishing in Vilanculos is very good to say the least. Our first attempt was cut short by an unexpected swell of close to five metres, although all was not lost, as this aborted fishing trip started the process of arranging Mum and Dad's wedding (of which the full story will follow in the next blog).

Dad Getting To Grips With A Tuna

Day two on the fishing front was, in mine and Dad's eyes at least, a huge success - although Peet and Nico said they had experienced hundreds of better days. Still, Dad and I both caught some nice fish, including a double catch of Rock Cod each, a small Tuna and a King Mackerel. Technically we were not meant to keep the Rock Cod, as they were caught inside the Vilanculos National Park, but seeing as there was nobody to prevent us doing so we took them home for dinner. This is, without doubt, the nicest fish I have ever eaten and I recommend that everyone catches an illegal Rock Cod and eats it.

The Illegal Rock Cod

The King Mackerel

Having spent the best part of six weeks sleeping in dorms and living on a tight budget it was a pleasure to have a little bit of luxury again - with luxury being my own room and hot water, as well as staff to do the cooking, washing and anything else I happened to need doing. I have to say, whilst this was a privilege it was not one I would want everyday. As odd is this may sound to some people I actually take great pleasure in doing everything myself, and knowing I am self-sufficient, rather than coming to expect people to do things for me.

A Dead Shark

The fishing and wedding aside the week was spent in a very relaxed state of mind, so much so that most days started with a gin and tonic after breakfast and consisted of plenty of reading, lounging around, walks on the beach and just generally recharging the batteries, which is just what the doctor ordered. Before bringing this entry to an end I must just once again say a huge thank you to Sue and Peet for their incredible hospitality. That's all for now, join me for a wedding in paradise in the next blog.

A Boat With A View

The High Life in Vilankulo

Vilankulo, Mozambique