MOZAMBIQUE AUGUST 2012 Tofo is a small coastal town in the Inhambane province of Mozambique and this was the destination for our Mozam Trip August 2012. The Mozambique leg of the Ticket to Ride trip focuses less on structured surfing lessons and activities and more on free-surfing, adventure and exploring everything that exotic Mozambique has to offer.
Turtle Cove is the backpackers where we stayed while in Tofo. There is a naturally laid back and relaxed atmosphere in Tofo and Turtle Cove’s serene, peaceful surroundings and wide day bed couches encourage one to slip into holiday mode very quickly!
About a 10 minute walk from Turtle Cove is the vibrant local Tofo market stocked with fresh and colourful fruit, veg, fish and local handed crafted souvenirs. We took daily strolls to the market for various things and became friend with the local venders.
After a lengthily barter with one of the local fishermen at the market place we walked away with a 8kg barracuda. We a had such a great afternoon filleting the fish, seasoning it and getting it ready to be thrown on the fire. It turned out to be an amazing and wholesome meal the left-overs of which fed us all for days.
The local fishing vessels in Mozam are called Dhows. They are wooden dug out sailing boats with huge sails that the locals use for fishing and transportation. We took a trip into Inhambane the main city for a sunset dhow cruise in the bay. After the stunning sunset we were invited to the dhow owners local home to dine on a delicious prawn feast.
Approximately a 2 minute drive from Turtle Cove is Tofinho Point, which is considered one of Mozambique’s most popular surfing spots . The point is a combination of rock and sand bottom which creates the most perfect right hand breaking wave when the swell and wind direction are aligned. Dino’s is another surfspot that breaks directly in front of ToFo’s famous beach bar Dino’s where you can sit on the deck enjoy a couple beers or cocktails and delicious pizza and watch the waves break on the perfectly shaped sand bottom.
Around the corner (the next bay around) from Tofinho point is the beautiful main beach of Tofo situated next to the market. Main beach is the more touristy and a perfect place to sunbathe, swim, snorkel and surf. It has a small point that similar to Tofinho runs into a sand bottom. The waves are perfect for beginners and are really fun to ride on a longboard.
The local food in Mozambique is delicious with an abundance of fresh seafood, such as prawns, calamari, fish, mussels, crayfish and massive lobsters. Eating out is still relatively inexpensive in Tofo and although you wait almost an hour for your food (African time) it gives one ample time to indulge in the local Mozambican brews; 2M, Manica and Laurentina.
The locals in Mozambique are so friendly and happy that every visit to Mozambique is made pleasant by their welcoming nature. It’s a privilege to experience these Portuguese people and a truly feel like you are in Africa.
Mozam was yet another trip that I thoroughly enjoyed!!
Till next time, Chad