NiteOwl
Pack Dog
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2012
- Messages
- 98
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Office Adventurer
- Bike
- Honda XRV 750 Africa Twin
My trip odometer stands at 2425 km. While I’ve enjoyed the island and could happily stay longer, it’s not that great on your own and I want to be back home by Christmas day. So the next morning, I bring in the laundry, pack the bag and have a quick shower before hitting the road again. I’m soaked in sweat before I even get the helmet on.
Come along for a cruise from the public garden to the police station on the way out.
[flash=480,385]https://www.youtube.com/v/oj54SGTTMew[/flash]
My initial plan was to head west from the Ilha and return through Malawi. But that means another set of border crossings, another TIP… no thanks.
From my maps it looked like there might be a road from Caia to Tete, and the receptionist as James White’s confirmed that there is a “dust road” following the railway line to Tete. So that will be the way back, after retracing my tracks back to Caia.
So long, Ilha !
Back on the mainland, we play dodgems again.
All around there's evidence of the heavy rain, from my ride in, litters the sides of the road.
Guess I was lucky not to end up like this-
or like that:
The return leg proceeds much quicker than before and within two hours I recognise the outline of the koppie just outside Nampula.
Despite my good pace I get overtaken by a goat!
Just outside town I pass another church, connected to the main road by a wide boulevard.
Here’s proof that fortresses were not unique to the Ilha. But this one is used to keep goats.
The clouds have been building again steadily in the distance ahead…
... and I get soaked once more
After a late lunch at the Padaria e Pastelaria in Mocuba I hit the last stretch to Caia in the fading light.
Just in time to see the turnoff to Cuacua Lodge. It boasts a campsite too, which is one better than James White. So I pull off, pay the fees and strip off my wet boots. My feet look like cabbage leaves as I trip around barefoot to set up the tent.
In the bathroom, a demonstration in camouflage.
There’s a pub and restaurant near reception, so after cleaning up I sidle in for a beer and burger before turning in for the night.
Come along for a cruise from the public garden to the police station on the way out.
[flash=480,385]https://www.youtube.com/v/oj54SGTTMew[/flash]
My initial plan was to head west from the Ilha and return through Malawi. But that means another set of border crossings, another TIP… no thanks.
From my maps it looked like there might be a road from Caia to Tete, and the receptionist as James White’s confirmed that there is a “dust road” following the railway line to Tete. So that will be the way back, after retracing my tracks back to Caia.
So long, Ilha !
Back on the mainland, we play dodgems again.
All around there's evidence of the heavy rain, from my ride in, litters the sides of the road.
Guess I was lucky not to end up like this-
or like that:
The return leg proceeds much quicker than before and within two hours I recognise the outline of the koppie just outside Nampula.
Despite my good pace I get overtaken by a goat!
Just outside town I pass another church, connected to the main road by a wide boulevard.
Here’s proof that fortresses were not unique to the Ilha. But this one is used to keep goats.
The clouds have been building again steadily in the distance ahead…
... and I get soaked once more
After a late lunch at the Padaria e Pastelaria in Mocuba I hit the last stretch to Caia in the fading light.
Just in time to see the turnoff to Cuacua Lodge. It boasts a campsite too, which is one better than James White. So I pull off, pay the fees and strip off my wet boots. My feet look like cabbage leaves as I trip around barefoot to set up the tent.
In the bathroom, a demonstration in camouflage.
There’s a pub and restaurant near reception, so after cleaning up I sidle in for a beer and burger before turning in for the night.