We have been in Maputo for 5 days. While it wouldn't go down as one of the world's great cities, there is still more to see and do here than there is in most of the other African cities we have been to.
Our first morning was spent visiting the South African and Swaziland embassies to clarify a few questions we had about our visa entitlement. We had been concerned that if we left South Africa to go to Swaziland, when we returned to South Africa we would only be given a 7 day visa instead of the remaining balance of our three month one. Fortunately this is not the case, the only time you are issued with 7 days is when you leave South Africa after the 90 days is up and then try to return.
The visit to the Swaziland embassy was to make sure that we didn't need to get a visa. We had met someone along the road who had apparently heard of some problems that had faced people travelling on a British passport. Our concerns once again proved to be unfounded and there is no problem entering Swaziland.
Embassy trips taken care of, a bit of our time has been taken up sightseeing. Some of Maputo's old Portuguese buildings are lovely, especially the train station.
The remainder of our time has been used to rest, do a little bike maintenance, get some supplies and try to decide whether to go to Swaziland or South Africa first.
Having found somewhere to watch the rugby world cup quarter finals, we decided, or at least I made the decision, to stay in Maputo longer to watch them. Rather disappointingly the result wasn't what I hoped. It is not England losing so much that I care about, but who we lost to! Now I have to choose between supporting France or Wales, a choice that I would rather not have to make. It will have to be Wales, but I have yet to meet a Welsh supporter who would cheer England, had the shoe been on the other foot. At least I wasn't as devastated as the South Africans who could well be a nation in mourning!
It looks like we have decided to head to South Africa first, it will be nice get to a country where English is spoken and getting supplies should be a little easier. Mozambique has been nice, but it has been surprisingly expensive. Accommodation is overpriced and for that reason we will be glad to get to South Africa. We are aware that we still have a long way to go, but our final destination suddenly seems a lot closer.
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