Mozambique: Vilanculos to Inhambane

Monday 6th July. Mozambique: Vilanculos to Inhambane.

We’re all up by 7.15. John & I headed off to meet the police at 8am. Jonas, our interpreter from the tourist office was again waiting for us. We hoped it would be quick as we’d been told that John just needed to sign some documents. John & I had already been back to Casa Rex to photocopy the insurance document & his drivers licence as the police wanted to keep copies of these. We then went to the judiciary office for more form filling before returning to the police station at midday.

At 1.30 pm, when it looked like we might be all done, the policeman said he wanted signed witness statements from me. He was using a battered old typewriter & it really was like stepping back in time. Every so often, out would come the sheet of paper & I’d think to myself, he’s finished it. Not at all, he just needed some tippex to correct something. We were all very patient because we saw the cell next door and had no desire to be placed in it. One guy was taken out of it while we were there and he was in a weakened state, not looking at all well. There seemed to be quite a few in there and it was only about 10 foot by 6 foot in size.

At 3pm, we were finally free to go. Like I said, thank goodness the biker didn’t die. Apparently you’re put in a cell immediately, according to Mel at Casa Rex. There was now no way we could get to Maputo today so we decided to head for Inhambane, about 250 kms away. We had a recommendation for a guest house and the booking was made. The road was very good for 200 kms and we had 50kms of potholes. We arrived there about 7.30 pm and quickly ordered dinner. The rooms were very basic although they seemed clean so we were grateful to have got out of Vilanculo and made some progress towards Maputo. The fish was delicious & we were off to bed by 9.30.