Day 4 as well as 5 in the Quirimbas Archipelago were even more of an experience than the previous days. We had hired ourselves a captain, a team as well as a boat as well as were setting off to check out two of the close-by islands of Matemo as well as Rolas.
We boarded our dhow (traditional Mozambican boat) as well as headed off with the totally remove turquoise waters. When we rounded the large sand bar jetting out into the sea, we were in awe of what we saw. A extremely long stretch of totally white sand as well as remove as can be waters lay before us. There was one special (and extremely expensive) resort on one end of the island as well as on the far other side there was a village.
arriving at stunning Matemo Island, Mozambique
Nick & Henrik on the boat to Matemo Island, Mozambique
We decided to set up camp in between the two. Camp included us setting up a rope between two palm trees as well as hooking our 3 mosquito nets to the rope. We made the sandy area our own as well as rebuilt a damaged down wood shack for some shade as well as shelter. Nick as well as Henrik made a bottle shower, Alice as well as I made a garbage area as well as swept away all the excess clean as well as pulled up any type of uncomfortable weeds as well as rocks.
And there you have it, camp!
As the sun was setting all of us went in for a swim as well as showed on exactly how lucky we are to be in such an fantastic place…and to have it basically to ourselves. That night after a tasty dinner of freshly caught fish as well as rice, we developed a large bonfire on the beach as well as enjoyed the stars as well as Henrik’s ukulele playing before calling it a night. We slept directly under the stars in our breezy mosquito nets with a sheet on the ground as well as a blanket over us, it was perfection.
camp for the night on Matemo Island, Mozambique
The next morning we were up early to beat the tides as well as made our method to the close-by island of Rolas. Again, stunning, stunning island. this time around it was totally unoccupied except for a extremely little fishing village. We set up our camp as well as relaxed in the shade in between swimming in the crystal clear, perfect waters.
These two islands are blessed with the most lovely beaches as well as waters we’ve ever seen on our travels, as well as that’s stating a great deal thinking about the locations we’ve seen! We swam, read, napped as well as ate throughout the day as well as were in total relaxation mode. That evening after a amazing sunset, we had one more tasty meal of grouper stew with rice as well as the 4 of us went out onto the enormous, white sandbar as well as developed a bonfire.
We enjoyed the terminate up until we might barely keep our eyes open. It’s an fantastic feeling to find somewhere so remote as well as to be the only tourists on the island, as well as for miles in every direction. Yet one more excellent day in paradise.
Dariece on the boat from Matemo Island to Rolas Island, Mozambique
arriving at lovely Rolas Island, Mozambique
Unloading the boat on Rolas Island, Mozambique
Nick making us lunch over a fire, Rolas Island, Mozambique
Our camp for the night on Rolas Island, Mozambique
a gorgeous sunset – Rolas Island, Mozambique
the 4 of us enjoying a nighttime bonfire on the sandbar – Matemo Island, Mozambique
After 3 days on these fantastic islands, we packed up camp as well as needed to leave Rolas Island early so we might beat the tides. We decided to make a pit stop back on Matemo Island for some morning swimming, photos as well as relaxing before making the journey back to Ibo Island.
walking towards the stunning sandbar – Matemo Island, Mozambique
blindingly white sand as well as crystal remove waters on Matemo Island, Mozambique
This is the life! Matemo Island, Mozambique
Our dhow boat for sailing the stunning Quirimbas Archipelago. Matemo Island, Mozambique
Beautiful beach at Matemo Island, Mozambique
Whoooo Hoooo! Goats On The road loving life on Matemo Island, Mozambique
We shown up back at The African Pot in the late afternoon as well as were happy to see Stephane (and his cooking) again. The trip was fabulous, something that the four of us will never forget. That evening we had to state our goodbyes to our new good friend Henrik. He needed to get moving before his visa expired however Nick, Alice as well as I decided to spend one more day on Ibo Island enjoying the peaceful village life.
It was an emotional goodbye as we had ended up being rather close with Henrik as well as we will miss travelling with him extremely much. That’s the method backpacking goes, you produce special bonds with people with these fantastic experiences as well as ended up being immediate friends. We hope to keep in get in touch with with him as well as perhaps someday satisfy up again, either on the road or in Germany.
The next day on Ibo Island was perfect. We enjoyed Stephane’s cooking as well as Nick as well as I walked all around the island satisfying regional people as well as taking some pictures of the villagers as well as their day to day life. Being on Ibo Island was like stepping into a time warp. There are no cars, the people utilize wells for their water supply, chickens as well as goats roam the streets, the power shuts off in the evening as well as meals are enjoyed by candle light.
The people were so friendly as well as extremely happy to see us, it’s a extremely untouristed place as well as we were extremely fortunate to have seen it in this state. I’m sure it will ended up being extremely prominent on the tourist radar in the years to come.
a villager’s home, Ibo Island, Mozambique
Dariece trying out the regional method of bring things! Ibo Island, Mozambique
Mozambican boy. Ibo Island
A cemetery on Ibo Island, Mozambique
Dariece with regional women – Ibo Island, Mozambique
Cute Mozambican youngsters waving to the camera. Ibo Island
Getting a quick shave on the streets of Ibo Island, Mozambique
Dariece with some village kids, Ibo Island, Mozambique
We stated our goodbyes to Stephane as well as the three of us boarded a extremely small, extremely congested boat back to the mainland where we caught a bus back to Pemba. The trip was much better (barely) than the trip there in the back of Urik’s jeep. However, we have never been so dirty in our lives! The road was a extremely bumpy, extremely dirty road as well as we needed to have the windows open in order to not sweat ourselves into total dehydration. By the time we reached our destination, we were covered head to toe in the fine, red tinged African dirt as well as our faces looked as if they were painted in it.
the extremely full boat trip back to the mainland, Quirimbas Archipelago, Mozambique
Goats On The road on the bumpy, dirty bus trip back to Pemba
Mozambican lady with her infant on her side – on the method back to Pemba, Mozambique
local youngsters excited to see us on the bus, Pemba, Mozambique
After the ride, we stated our goodbyes to our new good friend Alice. She was catching a flight out of Pemba as well as Nick as well as I were making our method a bit further South to Mozambique Island. We will likewise miss travelling with Alice extremely much as well as had ended up being truly close good friends with her as well. It was nice travelling with one more lady as well as being able to have woman talk for once! Besides a few other couples we’ve met, it’s usually solo male travellers that we seem to link up with. I’m sure we’ll keep in get in touch with with her as well as will never fail to remember the only person from Luxembourg that we’ve ever met.
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