Wednesday, 27 September 2023

A mini honeymoon in Mozambique

My tourist visa expired on 19th September, so I had to leave the country. My medical visa (which I have paid for) still hasn't come through, so I had no option but to leave the country. Delana picked Mozambique as our easiest option, so on the morning of 19th we left Sabie Park & drove to the nearest border just east of Komatipoort. It was an easy drive until we got to 15 kms before the border, then we hit the trucks! Mile upon mile of them waiting to cross the border. I had never seen anything like it but Delana was expecting it. 


The border crossing was as usual a little taxing & chaotic but after an hour or so we were through! The road to Maputo has been improved immensely since we last travelled along it & we made rapid progress until we hit the newly opened ring road around the city. 60 kms speed limit all the way & plenty of Mozambican speed cops to enforce the limit!

Our room, which was just beautiful!

Our separate kitchen, which was well appointed.

Our little plunge pool.

The view!

However, by 5pm we made it to our destination for the next few days. It was a small, but very nice spot on the Macaneta Peninsula close to the Komati River, just north of Maputo. It was the Roelieze Lodge & was perfectly situated on a beautiful piece of coastline with a great sandy beach. On the way to the lodge, we saw a huge flock (around 230) Pelicans over the nearby wetland. I was driving without binoculars, but assumed that they were Pink-backed Pelicans.

Welcome to Mozambique!

We settled in quickly & enjoyed a nice meal & an early night. 

I had just received my fourth round of chemotherapy at the hospital, so wasn't feeling all that great. I expected to be ill for most of this short trip (based on previous experience). So I didn't bring my camera with me, as I thought that I wouldn't be well enough to hold it steady. This prove to be a big mistake, as I was better than I thought I would be & I missed photographing some wonderful scarce species like Magpie Manakin! 

Our chalet is the one on the right.

I was feeling better today, 
(although still with chronic fatigue), 
so took a little walk along the beach.

There was a basic little restaurant & bar on site,
which was quite fun. Fish of course was the specialty!

Woke up to the sounds of the Indian Ocean on 20th September. We enjoyed a lazy time around the lodge, with a little birding in the grounds. Best species were: Both Lesser Crested & Caspian Terns; Brown hooded Kingfisher; Sombre Bulbul (common); Black-crowned Tchagra & Yellow fronted Canary. Walking along the beach was a bit of a milestone for me, as I hadn't been able to walk more than 50 m. for a few months now. So I was pleased with my progress. 

Upon waking on 21st September I was feeling a little better, so did a more comprehensive coverage of the lodge gardens: African Green Pigeon; Red-eyed Dove; Hoopoe; 7 Black-bellied Starling & both Collared & Mouse- colored Sunbirds. 

Macaneta Wetlands with the Komati River.

This is a vast area to explore & looks fabulous.

Later in the morning we enjoyed a drive through the nearby wetlands. This was a casual bit of birding & we never left the car. However, it proved to be quite interesting with some uncommon to rare species recorded: Burchell's Coucal (common); 3 Collared Pratincole; 3 Rufous-winged Cisticola (giving great views! Where was my camera?); 5 Lesser Swamp Warbler; 2 Black Sawing; 4 Fan-tailed Widowbirds & 2 African Pipits. It was an excellent little drive through a wonderful area. WE decided to drive a few kilometers further & it proved to be a wise move: Black-chested Eagle; African Marsh Harrier; both Rufous-winged 7 Zitting Cisticolas were common; Brown-throated Weaver; plenty of Fan-tailed Widowbirds & a Yellow-throated Longclaw. 

We of of the day in & around the lodge. It was very relaxing & we recorded the following species: Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird; Yellow-breasted Aplais; Little Bee-eater; Mouse-colored Sunbird; Brown-throated Weaver & Green-winged Pytilia. 

Did a little sea watching in the evening, 
but it wasn't very productive.

Sunset from the chalet.

On the 22nd September we visited the local resort next to the Komati River & we found three Magpie Manakins in the grounds giving fantastic views! I could have got amazing photos of them! What an opportunity missed!

I am in the line somewhere!

There I am!

It was then time to pack up & drive to the border. No problems until we hit the border post where we saw the queues! It was unbelievable & it took us nearly two hours to cross on the South African side. Once we crossed, it was an easy drive back to Sabie Park. It had been a nice little trip & most of the credit should go to Delana, as she picked out the place to stay. 






Our Wedding Day!

 Time to prepare for the big day! All four girls were here, with husbands Ahmed & Jonathan + grandson Irving. 

Ahmed being Safari Boy with his new hat!
Driving through KNP.

Spotted Hyena family, looking very happy!

On the 13th September we were up early & drove through the park & out through the Malelane Gate. On crossing the Crocodile River, we saw a distant Leopard, sleeping very close to the to the park rangers houses!

 

Sat on Andrew's superb deck, 
watching a breeding herd of Elephants.



We then drove to Andrew's place on the banks of the Crocodile River & were entertained by a breeding herd of Elephants which spent the afternoon along the river. 

The restaurant proved 
to be really nice!






Everyone is here!

Then we drove to Nelspruit to our hotel Lourie's Call. It proved to be a great choice, with lovely rooms & an excellent restaurant. We had booked the meal in advance & the restaurant did not disappoint with excellent food & good wines on offer. 


He looks a bit overwhelmed!

Quite a cake that!

It was also Irving's birthday, so he had some cake!

On the Gautrain, on the way to Centurion.

We had a long wait in the sun!


Ever the bridesmaid?

The girls & me!


Nicci looking very glamorous!

The bride!

The next day we were up early for the 6.55 am flight to Jo'burg.  Everything ran on time & we caught the Gautrain from the airport straight to Centurion, where the civil ceremony was to take place. 

The registry office! 
We didn't have time for a tidy up!

Laurens & Annelle.

We finally got inside the registry office!


Signing the book!

It's done! We are married!

Thomas, the marriage maker!

Due to SA regulations, only six guests were allowed in the registry office, plus the bride & groom of course! So the party consisted of Laurens & Anelle (our two SA witnesses) + the four girls. The boys had been left behind to their own devices. 

To say the ceremony was bizarre would be the understatement of the year! The office itself was in total chaos, complete with loud drilling from the next door office! 

Arriving at the venue.



However, we exited as a married couple & were whisked away to the venue for our little gathering. It was a small gathering of twenty people, but the setting was very nice & the table settings were magical. Somebody had put in a lot of work here. 

It was great to see everyone & the wine flowed! The weather played its part & we sat in beautiful sunshine throughout our time there. 

Time was short & we left to catch our flight back to Nelspruit. Everything ran smoothly & we arrived back in Sabie Park around 7pm in time for drinks around the fire. What a day it had been!


Kruger & Sabie Park in Spring

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