PEMBA, MOZAMBIQUE
OCTOBER 25
PEMBA IS THE GATEWAY TO THE NORTHERN TIP OF MOZAMBIQUE, AND FLYING IN, THE VIEW OF THE LAND BELOW WAS MESMERISING. A VAST BAY, THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE WORLD, SHONE AQUAMARINE, AND THAT WAS WHERE WE STAYED, AT CHUIBA BAY LODGE. I FOUND ONLY CONFLICTING INFORMATION ONLINE ABOUT THIS PART OF MOZAMBIQUE, SO CHOSE TO BOOK A FIVE NIGHT STAY AT A 5* VILLA HOTEL CLOSE TO PEMBA AND WORK OUT HOW TO GET TO THE QUIRIMBAS ISLANDS AND THEN DOWN TO ILHA DE MOZAMBIQUE WHILST THERE. IT ALL WENT TO PLAN, MOSTLY THANKS TO OUR AMAZING HOSTS, AND THE PEOPLE IN THE LOCAL VILLAGE WERE ALL HAPPY TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED.
SO, CHUIBA BAY LODGE TURNED OUT TO BE FABULOUS SLICE OF PARADISE. RAN BY A FANTASTIC PORTUGUESE COUPLE I NOW CLASS AS DEAR FRIENDS, MARIA AND DOMINGOS, IT IS A HIGH END RETREAT WITH FABULOUS FOOD, ATTENTIVE STAFF, AND ALL SET ON ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACHES I HAVE EVER SEEN. THEIR HOSPITALITY WAS SECOND TO NONE, AND THROUGH THEIR CONTACTS WE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO EXPLORE OTHER PARTS OF NORTHERN MOZAMBIQUE THAT ARE NOT THAT EASY TO GET TO. I CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK.
