Maputo,
Mozambique – March 31, 2018
I
chose the “Discover Maputo” 5-hour tour to see the city. We saw just about every one of the important
sights of Maputo and everyone agreed it was a good tour.
Maputo
is the capital of Mozambique which was a Portuguese colony for hundreds of
years and Portuguese is still the official language. Mozambique became independent in 1975 but
suffered through a devastating civil war from 1977-1992. Our guide, Abdul, told us that the
unemployment rate in Maputo is about 50%.
He also talked about the corruption in government that has plagued the
country. Life expectancy is not very
high because of disease – AIDS is still a major concern in Mozambique. Grades 1-7 of school are free but are not
compulsory.
Our
tour started a little late because the port guards decided to search each bus
coming in for bombs. They were also only
allowing four buses at a time into the port.
We finally started off about a half an hour late.
The
first stop was only steps from the dock area and that was to see the restored
railroad station that is over a hundred years old. Across the street is a monument to the fallen
in WWI.
Next
was a visit to the Municipal Market housed in another old building. Virtually everything is for sale here –
fruits, vegetables, fish, crafts, cosmetics, etc.
We
then continued on and saw the statue of the first president, Samora Machel, the
Roman Catholic Cathedral, the City Council building, and walked to the Iron
House. This place was built about a
hundred years ago completely of iron – not a good idea in such a climate. Across the street from the house is the
botanical gardens and we saw a few wedding parties going in to have photographs
made.
Although
it was not written in our itinerary, we stopped at the Natural History Museum
which showed numerous stuffed animals.
It also has the only collection of elephant fetuses in the world.
Also
not mentioned in the itinerary was a stop at a second market, this one of arts
and crafts. They had some beautiful
items that would never fit into my suitcases!
Our
lunch was at the 5-star Hotel Polana which was built in 1922. It has a beautiful view over the water and a
gorgeous swimming pool. Our lunch was a
very tasty buffet.
Last
stop was at the fort which has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. In one of the rooms they have carved wood
dioramas showing the history of Maputo.
Back
on board before 3:30 and I worked on my photos until trivia time. It was only Diana, Bev, Bonnie, and me but we
were able to get 15 out of 17 and tied for first place!
1)Where
in the US has the maximum wind speed been recorded?
2)What
is the national tree of England, France, Germany, and the US?
3)In
what country were Stonehenge’s blue stones quarried?
4)In
what city is da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”?
5)What
is an “albatross” in golf scoring?
Headed
up to sail-away after trivia and stayed until it got dark and I needed to get
ready for dinner. I had a shrimp
cocktail, Caesar salad, lamb kebab, and vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Did
not go to the show again.
Sea
day tomorrow.
From
my deck…
waiting for the ferry
At
the market…
fresh fish
dried fish
hair extensions
crafts
Natural
History Museum…
this lion had been a pet
elephant fetuses
Arts
and Crafts Market…
Hotel
Polana…
I forgot to take a picture of my main course but here is the fruit and desserts
pool area
part of the lobby
the old fashioned lift
Fort…
Independence
the old town 1910
Street
scenes…
WWI monument
The railroad station
more tuk-tuks
first president
Roman Catholic Cathedral
the first president again
beautifully carved chair
the iron house
not a suit for everybody
a private school
another Catholic church
American residence across from the US embassy
the ferry
Trivia…
1)Mt.
Washington
2)oak
3)Wales
4)Milan
5)3
under par
Smooth
sailing until next time!
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