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 Ilha de Mocambique is a little island about 2k by 0.5k, about 20 kms off the Mozambique coast and is a UNESCO heritage site. We anchored off the town after having to stop out at sea at dawn and send a tender in to collect the harbour pilot as they don’t have a boat as only a couple of ships a year drop by. We tendered in and found all these smiling faces and welcoming people singing on the wharf alas with all the local vendors trying to sell you something. We took an hour long bus trip around the island and stopped at a few places of interest and then once back, we walked the island again on foot in the sun and heat. It is always hard to get good photos from a moving vehicle and it certainly was worth the effort. I am so happy I walked this small but lovely island as history and stunning architecture is everywhere. Oh to have a good camera with me but it was sitting in my cabin on the ship but my phone managed some pretty pictures of island life.

Some of the guests on board had elected to do a sail in a traditional dhow which looks fantastic. Why one was called Titanic I am not sure but it was still sailing happily. But a brisk wind had come up and they rocketed around the big bay. 

It was quite a warm day with temperatures into the early 30s and with not much overhead to hide the sun, it certainly felt hotter than what it was. We found a lovely local cafe and ordered some local calamari, grilled tuna & spanner lobster - much like a Moreton Bay Bug - all being quite enjoyable. There s only one good single story hotel being constructed now, with about two other cafes - otherwise not much else but very local food after that. The locals were very friendly and always responded cheerfully unlike others responses we have encountered along the way. It really felt like a bit of a time warp as not too many people on the streets away from the wharf area that is as school was in but once the kids were out it was much busier.

It really was like a step back in time. Stunning architecture in most places left over from the Portuguese. Streets of beautiful buildings that seriously need a reno but slowly it will happen and I hope with the UNESCO rating they can successfully renovate and renew the fabulous island. I am sure it will become a sought after destination in ten years from now. But its still worth a visit now. I am not sure how you get here apart from a cruise ship but if you do go to Mozambique, please please consider coming here for a look. And bring your camera too!

From the Garden of Memory plaque:
"Through the creation of The Garden of Memory, the memory of the people enslaved and of the living culture of Mozambican origin is honoured and brought to light."

"We observe the past and the future glances back again" 
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