After having had 2 rest days in Chimoio, with an expat-family that we were so lucky to stay with and for which we are very grateful, it was time to move on again. The about 460 km from Chimoio to Vilankulos awaited us the next 3 days. This was the largest stretch so far, but we started out with usual optimism!
Out from Chimoio we had a thick fog and a drizzle, not what you might expect, and Paddy had to put his headtorch on and use it as a rear light to ensure cars would see us! Otherwise it was a pleasant ride, mostly downhill and the km's went by quickly. That helped us to set a new daily record of 182 km, though we like to think it could have been 200 km if it wasn't for the headwind!
So far Mozambique had been a very scenic country with beautiful views and one could never get bored along the way. Unfortunately the same cannot be said about the way to Vilankulos. It is a sparsely populated area, which made us have to think more carefully about the water supply, and the road is for the most part flat and straight. Combined with the headwind that is a recipe for both physically and mentally hard cycling.
We had been told that we were now heading into cashew nut territory, and we really did experience that. In every town we entered we were surrounded by people selling their cashews. A real treat! It is otherwise not so much to say about this stage of the journey, other than it was a stage that had to be done, and we knew that arriving at the coast would make it all worth it!
Eventually we reached Vilankulos on the third day, just after Rick's seat had had enough on the bumpy roads and broken. Fortunately it happened close to our target destination so we could get there and Rick could fix it during our stay with great ingenuity! With its beautiful beach and amazing views, the last days monotonous terrain could be left behind and we had a few lazy days on the beach to treat our sore bodies to look forward to, including treats such as snorkling at a reef.
Gunnar
Out from Chimoio we had a thick fog and a drizzle, not what you might expect, and Paddy had to put his headtorch on and use it as a rear light to ensure cars would see us! Otherwise it was a pleasant ride, mostly downhill and the km's went by quickly. That helped us to set a new daily record of 182 km, though we like to think it could have been 200 km if it wasn't for the headwind!
So far Mozambique had been a very scenic country with beautiful views and one could never get bored along the way. Unfortunately the same cannot be said about the way to Vilankulos. It is a sparsely populated area, which made us have to think more carefully about the water supply, and the road is for the most part flat and straight. Combined with the headwind that is a recipe for both physically and mentally hard cycling.
We had been told that we were now heading into cashew nut territory, and we really did experience that. In every town we entered we were surrounded by people selling their cashews. A real treat! It is otherwise not so much to say about this stage of the journey, other than it was a stage that had to be done, and we knew that arriving at the coast would make it all worth it!
Eventually we reached Vilankulos on the third day, just after Rick's seat had had enough on the bumpy roads and broken. Fortunately it happened close to our target destination so we could get there and Rick could fix it during our stay with great ingenuity! With its beautiful beach and amazing views, the last days monotonous terrain could be left behind and we had a few lazy days on the beach to treat our sore bodies to look forward to, including treats such as snorkling at a reef.
Gunnar
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