Maputo, originally Lourenco Marques before independence, is
the capital and largest city of Mozambique. It is often called the 'city of
acacias' in reference to the acacia trees found along its avenues.
With a population in excess of 1,800,000 its chief exports
are cotton, sugar, chromite, sisal, copra and hardwood. It is estimated that
80% of the city's population live in slums without running water or electricity
but there are also areas near the beach where the houses are large and
luxurious.
Originally we could not decide whether to go ashore here as
several guests had said there was little or nothing in Maputo worth
seeing...glad we didn't listen to them. We decided to take the Maputo
highlights tour and are very glad that we did. Our three hour tour started at
the central market which not only sold fish but vegetables, household goods and
souvenirs...even wigs...see photo - but we were told to take care of our
cameras, wallets and purses etc.
We then went on to the catholic cathedral with its beautiful
stained glass windows but were disappointed that the steps to the cathedral and
outside areas were littered with rubbish and broken glass.
Lots of the buildings were either in the Portuguese or art
deco style and we also visited the 'House Of Iron' which was a nineteenth
century colonial house that was built in Europe and then reassembled here using
steel plates that proved uninhabitable in this tropical climate.
Our guide Rosita took us to a modern catholic church which
is locally known as the Lemon Squeezer due to it unusual design and shape.
Normally visitors would only be able to take photos of the outside but Rosita
knew one of the Fathers so we were allowed to go inside to view its stained
glass windows and wonderful ceiling apex where the light streamed in creating a
star effect.
After a quick stop at the craft market we drove up along the
coast to an area called Costa Do Sol before returning for a quick stop at the
beautiful art nouveau railway station which was built in the early twentieth
century by Gustave Eiffel.
Unfortunately half way through the tour my new camera ran
out of battery power - I will have to
sack the technician...you know who you are Vance!! Many thanks to Justine for
being the backup blog photographer for the rest of the tour.
On returning to the ship anyone who had purchased wooden
carvings, tapestries or carpets had to hand the items into the security station
to have them quarantined for forty eight hours in the freezer.
Time change forward one hour tonight so we are now three
hours ahead of UK time.
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