Buying powder Vilanculos

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Buying powder Vilanculos

With its azure waters, palm fringed beaches, and miles of white sandbanks, Mozambique is one of the most stunning places I have ever visited. Marta Camarada is a London-based freelance photographer and digital marketer who's passionate about telling authentic stories through her work, documenting subcultures and the intricacies of everyday life. Growing up between Angola, Kenya and Lesotho, she came to London for university. Introduce yourself name, current location, profession, what interests you most about travel, etc. My name's Marta Camarada. I'm currently based in London and I'm a freelance photographer and digital marketer. I grew up across 5 countries and travelling runs in my veins. I'm into telling authentic stories, outer space, deep sea, and all things to do with Africa, art, and travel. Before my love for photography was my passion for travel; I think as photographers we are more attentive to the details around us so that definitely leaks into how I see the world around me. Ultimately I'm a documentary photographer first. I'm always looking around me and almost everywhere you look, even without trying, there is something to capture. I see the beauty in even the most mundane things. What sparked your interest to travel to Angola and Mozambique? Which region s did you visit? How did you plan for your trip? How did you navigate between each city? I'm from Angola and although I grew up around different African countries Angola has always been home and my parents made a real effort to keep us rooted and close to home. I traveled to Mozambique because my dad was actually working there, so I spent 3 separate Christmases there with my family. My family is big on outdoorsy things, so most of these countries I have seen by car through road-trips — this was our main mode of exploration. In addition to the capital city Maputo, where I was based, I visited Tofo Beach; an incredibly underrated beach town. There's loads to do here, like snorkelling, diving, surfing, enjoying the nightlife, and a pretty solid health and wellness scene. Another region is Ponta do Ouro in the southernmost part of the country — this is very close to the South African border, so there is a huge South African influence here. English is widely spoken in this part of the country. My favourite part of Mozambique has to be Vilanculos Vilankulo a little further North of the country. This has to be one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen in the world. I'm talking pristine seas and white sand: highly recommended. It's very close to the Bazaruto Archipelago a group of 6 islands and the Bazaruto National Park a place rich in rare marine life. Unfortunately, I have not seen as much of Angola as I'd like to for now , but Luanda is home to some of the greatest beaches in Africa and we're very blessed to have that right in the capital, as it's pretty rare. I've been to Huambo, the second largest city in Angola and the place I was born; it's in the highlands, so the energy is very different to the hot and humid capital. Huambo is quieter and many say that the people's temperament is much different; a lot less of that big city aggression. I've also road tripped around the Cuanza Norte province where my extended family own a farm. So much of the country is empty and it's beautiful to see so much nature — totally raw. What has been your favorite approach to photography while travelling? Did you generally strike up a conversation with your subjects or just candidly capture the moment? How did people react to being photographed? A mixture of both. You can't strike up a conversation if you're trying to capture a candid moment because you risk ruining the moment. It all depends on what I'm trying to capture. Often candid shots should just be captured and not interfered with. When you smile at people they automatically become less guarded, so even if they say no it's a warm 'no thank you'. I've never had someone be outright rude or mean to me asking for a photo as long as my approach was warm and friendly. Did you have any expectations or preconceived notions about a culture you would be exposed to? How did they differ from the way the culture actually was? I've always wanted to go to Cuba. Angola has very strong ties to Cuba which date back to the 60s where the Cuban army fought alongside Angolans during our civil war. There's still a Cuban community in Angola to this day, so I've always heard wonderful things about the country. My dad is also a huge fan of Cuban music, so Cuba has always felt like a place that's far but connected to us. I didn't really have preconceived notions about Cuba other than it would be totally different to the places I usually travel to, which are mainly in Africa and Europe. What surprised me was how similar our cultures were — being in Havana made me feel nostalgic and reminded me of how Luanda felt when I was a kid. I can't really explain where that came from, but I felt at home in Cuba. Cuba was hands down one of the best travel experiences I've ever had! And if I'm being completely honest, my trip to Cuba cemented my desire to take photography seriously. This is one of the best places in the world for street and documentary photography. The people of Cuba were often friendly and open to having their photos taken — it was incredibly inspiring. These road trips were arranged with our Airbnb drivers and done in vintage cars — with no seat belts! It was awesome to be able to see the country by road, which in my opinion is one of the best ways to really know a place. Most of our days in Havana involved walking every inch of Old Havana and exploring the city centre. Old Havana felt limitless. What foods did you eat? What kinds of people did you encounter? Personally I'm not a foodie and food is usually the last thing on my mind when I travel. It was difficult to find good places to eat in town; the options were limited. I'm sure given the political history of the country it makes sense why this is. But we did discover a little cafe next to our Airbnb in Jaimanitas that specialized in local dishes, and we ate every day. In fact, most of us ate rice and chicken everyday if it ain't broke don't fix it, aye? The alcohol is also very cheap! What surprised you most about your experience? What surprised me the most about Cuba was definitely how at home I felt. I was also surprised at the heavy African influence, from the people practicing Yoruba religion to the music to the food. Portuguese is my mother tongue so I could speak broken Spanish; this pushed me out of my comfort zone and got me speaking to people in a language I've never had to speak — I guess you could say I surprised myself in Cuba, which says a lot about this place. I think the best way travelers can contribute to any country is to spend money and support local businesses and people. In Cuba for example, instead of paying triple the price for a touristy coach for a day trip, hire a car from a smaller taxi service, speak to people and get recommendations make sure you're being safe about it. Tourism in Angola is still fairly unexplored, so if you're ever in the country I recommend you eat local, buy from the national supermarket and avoid buying imported goods — these are little things that give back to our economy. Is there a particular moment you would relive given the opportunity? The first thing that came to mind was my dad on a paddle board in Vilanculos, Mozambique. He lost his balance and fell into the water. I captured every second of it which unfortunately I can't share , but that's hands down the funniest memory to me. I'd relive one rainy afternoon in Old Havana, where I split from my group and wandered around by myself taking photos. It was one of those 'time stopped' moments in my life where I was just present and in the moment — it was pretty beautiful. Please pick and note your favorite picture you have captured during a trip and share why it is your favorite. This could be anything humorous or interesting that the reader would not know from just looking at the image. This was taken during a road trip in Angola. This little girl was so extroverted and playful she kept running around giggling with her friends, looking at my camera and giggling some more. I asked her for a photo and she didn't hesitate, but her expression changed completely; she got very serious. It was like when a teacher tells you to behave during class, except there was no teacher and she behaved for the camera. I found that so interesting. She was back to her playful self seconds after :. I'm planning a trip to the Philippines this summer. South Africa in the fall and back to Angola for the holidays! My best advice to photographers is when you have the urge to capture something do it immediately. It doesn't have to be the best photo in the world, don't ignore that gut feeling to take the photo! For more of Marta's travels and photography, follow her instagram martymarts92 and check out her website: www. If you enjoyed this piece and would like more content like this, please consider a donation to Spirited Pursuit. The Bazaruto Archipelago is a national park and remote cluster of islands located in southern Mozambique. This region is known for its stunning beaches and incredible marine life and the main reason why I wanted to visit. During my trip to Mozambique full recap coming very soon , my sister and I were lucky enough to spend a few days island hopping these glorious islands and I was completely blown away by how unreal the landscapes were. African landscapes never cease to amaze me. And while each of these islands have their own unique qualities, we ended up visiting Magaruque and Bazaruto - with Bazaruto being the highlight. I'm not sure that my words or images can do this place justice if I'm completely honest. Just imagine combining Sossusvlei, Namibia with Paje, Zanzibar The waters are turquoise, calm and warm, the sand is white and powder thin, and the island itself is peaceful thanks to being completely isolated. There aren't even hotels or lodging here. Upon arrival, we were told that all the guards we saw were there to ensure that visitors don't even take a seashell off the island. That's how keen they are to preserve it! It was hard to believe the locals when they told us that there are even more stunning and remote islands around Bazaruto that are less visited. If you're coming from out of the country, getting to the islands is no cake walk. You'll first need to get to Vilanculos, a laid back and relaxed beach town, via a flight from Johannesburg or Maputo. You also have the option to drive from either of those cities, though I wouldn't recommend it simply because it could take over 10 hours. However, if you're already in Vilanculos, things will be much easier as you'll just need to arrange a dhow safari through any of the hotels or backpackers in town. My trip was organized by the Kitesurfing Centre , who I ended up using for all the activities I did while visiting Vilanculos. As you can imagine, most of the activities to do here include snorkeling, diving, sailing, or just laying out and enjoying the relaxing views. Like I mentioned above, we came out on a day trip where we spent a few hours hiking up the sand dune and swimming in the water while the crew of our dhow safari prepared a fresh seafood and veggie lunch on an open fire amazing! After our lunch, we took more photos of course before sailing back to mainland Vilanculos. In a recent Instagram post , I opened up a small giveaway for a chance to win a small curated box of market accessories from my recent travels as a thank you for supporting my journey. I am so completely blown away by you guys' response! Reading the comments on that post about how my journey has influenced your lives was the most humbling and incredible feeling ever. Thank you to every last one of you, you have no idea how uplifting that was for me! Traveling the way I do can feel very lonely and isolating at times, but to know that it has had a real impact to you in a genuine way makes it all worth it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. While I wish I could afford to send each of you a gift, I can only send one. Please send me an email to info spiritedpursuit. Photos of me by Eplleseed. Planning your first trip to Africa? Get my guide book below for all my detailed tips on how to plan and prepare for modern adventures through Africa. My big passion is travel photography, which has led me to some of the most scenic places in the world. My interest to visit southern Africa was sparked primarily through its landscapes - no other continent is equally blessed with natural wonders and cultural diversity than the African Motherland. Introduce yourself name, current location, profession, what interests you most about travel, etc My name's Marta Camarada. How does photography influence the way you travel and see the world around you? How can travellers contribute to Angola or Cuba while visiting the country? Do you have any final words of photography tips or advice? WHAT TO DO As you can imagine, most of the activities to do here include snorkeling, diving, sailing, or just laying out and enjoying the relaxing views. Sign up below to get a FREE preview of my detailed guidebook that covers everything you need to know about planning a trip to Africa!

Mozambique – from the coast to the forest

Buying powder Vilanculos

And even less humans to fuck things up! Time and budget has always limited me to Ponta Do Ouro, the most southerly village closest to the South African border. That sounds ignorant because it is a different country! But you assume because of its proximity to SA things will be the same! It is amazing how 1 meter can demarcate language, customs, currency and attitude. Across the SA border tar roads become sand tracks, computers are replaced with paperwork, English with Portuguese, and Rands with Metical. Even the beer labels are different. Trade relations between SA and Mozambique are on good terms, but Mozambique has a proud manufacturing history and there is little evidence of South African dominance in the stores. The Portuguese influence is unmistakable. The colonial exit of Portugal in did not end their rule of flavours and taste! Piri-Piri chicken Galinha , prego and my favourite, the custard tartlet called Pasteis de Nata are as ubiquitous as the mosquito! Mozambique is one of those places the travel books have little to report on, owing to the fact that the civil war post-independence raged for 20 years until Despite peace being achieved, the relationship between the 2 political parties has been anything but stable. Their fragile democracy caught a speed wobble in , and the recent discovery of LP gas in the Rovuma Basin has resulted in a renewed scramble for power and greed. All this instability has made Mozambique relatively untouched. Amidst the chaos, there are several tourist-friendly spots along the coast. Small airports catering for both rustic accommodation and luxury lodges have been developed. A tropical vacation takes no longer than a 2-hour flight from Jhb to achieve, and in winter, the climate is a balmy 27 degrees by day. In July, my wife and I needed an escape from the cold, dry winter of Johannesburg. Our work schedule allowed us both to take 4 days off from the rat-race so we took the plunge and bought tickets to Vilankulo. We honey-mooned in Inhambane in , so Vilankulo was the next town to tick off our list. Flying into Vilankulo the terrain below is bizarre. Grass tries its best to grow on the white sand flats, and large, concentric areas are flooded with greenish water, creating the illusion of pitted-elephant skin. Paradise found! Bring on the pina coladas! This is not Cancun or some over developed Thai island. Infrastructure has a decidedly African charm. You have to have a sense of humour to run a business, and holiday in such an environment. This is half the fun. If you want 5-star-slick go to Mauritius or Comores. Even better, Zanzibar. But the drawback of these digs is their remoteness from real life. They are positioned miles from the real draw card of Mozambique, the town with its flavour. Sure, there is something to be said for being remote and away from other humans! Casa Cabana is just the spot. It has a prime beach position in the newer, more northern part of Vilankulo. The town is 7km from top to tail so you can easily walk Vilankulo in less that 2 hours. The Tuk-Tuk phenomenon has hit Mozambique. And what a wonderful service they provide. What sold me on Casa Cabana was the idea that my room would be right on the beach. Owner Robert and his team comprising Juanita and Bobo are getting it right. The perfect blend of rustic chic and luxury. I stayed in Beach cottage 2. The linen was heavenly to sleep on, and the lounger on the patio was perfect for just chilling and putting my feet up. Did I mention the beach was less than 8 meters away?!!! What more do you need. Running the risk of repeating myself, the cottage was almost built on the beach! What can be better than sitting at a table with your feet in the warm sand sipping on an ice-cold Mozambican lager? Trip Advisor can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand the rating system does weed out the truly revolting from the habitable! But because it has a western bias, and also because ignorant reviewers contribute, the ratings and value attributed to some of the places are way off. This means only a few of the spots attract the business — inundated with the less adventurous travelers who flock like sheep. I am not saying this is a bad thing. Kudos to businesses who have tapped into the top ranks. They deserve all their success. Their loss is my gain! A case in point is the Vilankulo Beach Lodge. But you neither have to be rich nor famous to stay here. The property is immaculate. The lawn is manicured to perfection, and an infinity pool that makes properties in Camps Bay look cheap, flanks the beach. I love sipping beer with a view. I was wrong. Frutos Do Mar in Vilankulo is a contender. Previously the Upper Deck, the new owners have drawn inspiration from the Greeks. The decor is pristine white, and one suspects it could be the party hot spot of Vilankulo in the evenings. Alas, I will never know as I am an ageing old man!!! The view, service and food is tip-top. Not ideal but worth the effort. From Casa Cabana, the local town center is a 3,5km walk. The main road leading from the north is brick-paved. I think this is a great solution to the pot-hole pandemic. Instead of having to tar entire stretches of damaged road at a huge premium, all you need to do is plant a few new bricks. And because the road is low volume, mostly tuk-tuks, the bricks can handle the load. Poverty is never far in Africa. However, in Mozambique no one feels sorry for themselves. Like Nigerians, if you have 2 arms and 2 legs, you make a plan and sell something. The road is flanked on both sides with informal traders and provision stores. The woman and men tending to their businesses have friendly smiles and no one begs. As a foreigner I stood out like a sore thumb, but it was refreshing not to be continually hassled and haggled. Vilankulo is a tropical paradise. The palm trees prove this. But what was surprising were the baobab trees lining the roads. I am sure there were probably many more years ago — chopped down for fire wood. Either way, the few that remain are awe inspiring. The Delta brand is the leader in coffee imports throughout Mozambique, so their sign is a good indication that quality is not far! I wonder what happened to them? Back to the task at hand. Find a Portuguese tartlet called a Pasteis De Nata. Cafe Mocambicano had a freshly-baked batch on offer. The pastry was flaky, the custard had a subtle vanilla flavor, and the cinnamon powder added that extra yumminess. I had 3! No trip to the beach would be complete without some swimming and snorkeling. The tides are big in Vilankulo. At low tide you can walk out several hundred meters. This makes for less than ideal swimming. There are several operators offering day trips. The boat trip from Vilankuklo to Bazaruto takes 40 minutes. What would be the point? I suggest being on a standby list and be flexible with date. When the weather is good GO! I was in Vilankulo in their low season. Although the air temperature was a pleasant 27 Celsius, the water was not a not-so-tropical 22! It was by no means cold, but after snorkeling for 30 minutes you need some warming up! I can only imagine how amazing the water is in summer. Colin is a bloke who moved to Vilankulo 11 years ago to get away from the rat-race. He makes a humble living growing chili-peppers and selling Piri-Piri sauce. He certainly looks care-free! I am sure there is more to his story than I was able to establish in the 30 seconds I spoke to him, but he is living the dream we all dream about. It made me contemplate the ridiculous script we are all living. Work, work some more, work, get sick, pay for medicine, get road rage, work, fight, get sick, die. I prefer the Tao of Colin. Ask yourself who is winning at life? You or Colin?! Vilankulo is a paradise. It has an innocence that you seldom find elsewhere. The worst that could happen to your husband if he goes on a fishing trip with the boys is he will drink too much! One day to explore, one to island hop, one to chill. I will keep you posted on any unexpected weight-loss! Boring history lesson! My cottage has the red towel hanging outside! Not too shit! View from Beach Cottage 2 Casa Cabana is just the spot. Drinking beer at the Casbah Beach Bar. You have to try their Prego. Vilankulo Beach Lodge is so worth a visit. And surprisingly good value. Pina Colada heaven! What a view. And the decor is greek-chic! The national beer of Mozambique Low tide in Vilankulo. Notice the local villagers dragging in their nets in a line. Tuk Tuk Tropical! Spot the tourist! Well played Enrique! The southern tip of Bazaruto Island. The boat ride was a bumpy 40 minutes. Barracudas — Before! And After. Vilankulo provided me with one epiphany. Salty-Sea Dog Colin! Please follow and like me:.

Buying powder Vilanculos