Travel.Happiness.Life. : Travel: Quirimbas National Park, Mozambique (part 1)

For our last holiday before moving to Sierra Leone (We fly on Saturday 31st August) and also as a 40th birthday present to myself we treated ourselves to a trip to Mozambique and particularly the Quirimbas National Park in the north of the country.

The trip plan was to fly to Ibo Island from Pemba and stay at Ibo Island Lodge for two nights. Then we would go on a 'dhow' safari and sail and camp on a number of the islands on our own boat (with crew) for four nights before returning to the lodge for 3 nights and then the long journey home.

The excitement started at Pemba airport when we boarded our three seater plane for the 20 minute journey to Ibo Island. Flying over these beautiful islands was just amazing.

From Ibo airport (above) it was a short drive to The Lodge which was a fantastic former colonial building with large rooms and high ceilings decorated stylishly with 'period' furniture. Food was excellent - I particularly enjoyed breakfast when as one of the waiters said "the sky is the limit". You haven't reckoned with me I thought.

We spent some time walking around the very safe town of Ibo guided by one of the staff from the lodge. One of the most impressive features for me was that fact the island had electricity and is wired to the national grid.

On the walk we unsurprisingly attracted the attention of some young children who wanted to walk and hold our hands. Some wanted and even grabbed at Laura's red hair and white skin to see what it felt like. Our friend Sam was even bolder and responded to a request by happily giving a boy his sunglasses to wear. It was the last time he saw them. I laughed.