Made it to Mosambique Island, which is quite surprising having filled the car up with parafin which they call petrol here. It made for an interesting morning and we drew lots for who started the car first. The road into Mosambique was very poor, lots of sliding on mud, avoiding pot holes and having to go off road to avoid broken down vehicles.We had to have an unscheduled stop on the way to Nampula and had to stay in the local whore house which was the best accommodation available. The smell of the toilets brought tears to our eyes.
We had difficulty getting accommodation on Mosambique island and had to book into the 4 star hotel which costs all of £18 per night. So I continue to struggle. The island is not very busy it just has limited accommodation. We were swimming in the Indian Ocean by 6 am and collecting beads and glass from ship wrecks. We have booked Christmas dinner tonight in a lovely resturant and then we will join in the local festivities.
The 2 weeks on safari with the children was good but no one told me that pythons could get into the bedrooms. It was the room ajoining mine thankfully. I think the therapy is still working as I went to see it without any problems. I watched the crocodiles every morning on the opposite bank of the river, I got a shock when I saw one on my side of the river about 10 feet from my door and I watched the elephants and hippos playing in the river in the afternoons as well as going on 6 game drives where we saw many different animals. I also looked after the kids and staff and they have asked me to do it again next year. The other thing I did not expect was that instead of the lovely food that the centre is known for they made local dishes specially for the children which were not to my taste. We also had to eat without cutlery African style. So it was nsima everyday and other unappetising dishes. We broke down in the bush when we were escorting the children home. We had to wait sometime for help and the guide that was with us was dressed in drag to amuse the children. It was quite bizzaire to be stuck in the bush with a guy in a dress and wig surrounded by dangerous animals.
My other unexpected excitement was when lightening got very close to my house and it filled with red then my mosquito net light up like a Christmas tree. The net continued to glow for a long time after the near strike, other people´s light bulbs blew up and the principal´s DVD player blew up. It was during the storm that the telephone lines came down and were subsequently stolen. So life continues to be full of surprises.
Most VSOs go away for Christmas so we have already celebrated with friends in Malosa and Matawali before everyone headed for their holiday destinations. We will head off to Pemba then on to some of the more remote islands in a couple of days and continue our Mosambique experience.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year. Keep in touch and thanks for all the lovely cards and parcels.
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4 comments:
Hi Carol,
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! We're just back from my mum's where we all went (me, mike, kids and my sis and her kids) for dinner. I was considering it an act of mercy given the last Christmas dinner we had there, but hey she did not bad!! Thank God for Markies!! We're all doing grand, Mike's had three interviews for permie jobs but not had any luck so far. It's a bit of a rollercoaster ride emotionally but what's for him won't go by I'm sure. The kids are all fine and were delighted with their Christmas pressies. I don't know if my parcel has arrived for you yet but it might come at the same time as your shoes, who knows! I'm truly impressed with you looking at a python, not sure I'd want to get that close. The Indian Ocean sounds amazing, what an opportunity to see so much of the natural beauty of the world. Not sure I like the idea of being stuck in the jungle with a guy in drag though. Not sure what's scarier, wild animals/guy in drag mmmmmm??? Anyway Carol, must dash, have a great time, will write an airmail very soon. Cheers! Lesley and familyx
Hi Carol,
Merry Christmas although a few days late, we too are just back from family festivites......now I am enjoying the peace and quiet. John is away to the golf! It is 5pm so I suspect the 19th hole only. Your trip sounds interesting and well worth the therapy for the snake issue..I too am impressed. I have been off all week, which is great. Brabra is home from Oz we will see them on the 2nd for a New Year lunch, then she is off to New York and Boston. I fancy New York again maybe we could repeat that trip or do Boston. We have found several hundred relative sin Oz so there is a family reunion planned in May/June which I appear to be heavily involved in organising!!! Now how did that happen? The weather is mild today so it is raining, snow forecast for the weekend. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip and that your next whore house is cleaner! Is that ok to write! My baby niece Sophie got the most fabulous pair of shoes that I really meant to photo and send to you, they are yellow and green checked with red and blue... wedges with a green tie than goes round your ankle.. so tarty. My Dad's face was a picture she was delighted with them I could see Barbra eying them up.
Happy New Year when it comes. I was telling a woman about you last night at the nephew's 21st party, she is planning to do VSO summer 2009 for 2 years, she is a lecturer in Drama and such an interesting lady. Our 3 kids thought you were very brave and a good person to do the VSO work...I did not burst their bubble....only kidding. Trotter is foot loose and fancy free so we are flat hunting in the New Year for her!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL Rhona
xxxxxx
Hi Carol,
Merry Christmas although a few days late, we too are just back from family festivites......now I am enjoying the peace and quiet. John is away to the golf! It is 5pm so I suspect the 19th hole only. Your trip sounds interesting and well worth the therapy for the snake issue..I too am impressed. I have been off all week, which is great. Brabra is home from Oz we will see them on the 2nd for a New Year lunch, then she is off to New York and Boston. I fancy New York again maybe we could repeat that trip or do Boston. We have found several hundred relative sin Oz so there is a family reunion planned in May/June which I appear to be heavily involved in organising!!! Now how did that happen? The weather is mild today so it is raining, snow forecast for the weekend. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip and that your next whore house is cleaner! Is that ok to write! My baby niece Sophie got the most fabulous pair of shoes that I really meant to photo and send to you, they are yellow and green checked with red and blue... wedges with a green tie than goes round your ankle.. so tarty. My Dad's face was a picture she was delighted with them I could see Barbra eying them up.
Happy New Year when it comes. I was telling a woman about you last night at the nephew's 21st party, she is planning to do VSO summer 2009 for 2 years, she is a lecturer in Drama and such an interesting lady. Our 3 kids thought you were very brave and a good person to do the VSO work...I did not burst their bubble....only kidding. Trotter is foot loose and fancy free so we are flat hunting in the New Year for her!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL Rhona
xxxxxx
HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2008, hope you are well and still enjoying the country and coping with work. love Rhona
x
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