Xefina Untimate Frisbee Hat Trounament 2011- Maputo, Mozambique

The Drive - Flight to Durban with Heidi was a short one as we had the pleasure to talk just about everything life has to offer. Once arriving to the airport we had to wait for the boys to arrive followed by the convoy. There were 2 car loads driving down to Maputo and we are ready for our ROAD TRIP !

Driving through Durban I was amazed with the beautiful landscape, rolling hills of sugar cane. KZN seemingly much greener to me however I have not been able to compare any other provinces other than the lively and colourful Cape Town and surrounding area. Either way, I am amazed at the colours since it is winter yet still lush and green everywhere. The driving was interesting and filled with adventures: Mikey learns to man-handle the stick-shift with his left hand, allowing cars to pass on the right while we are speeing on the shoulder lane, and learning the appropriate signaling to say 'thanks for passing'. During all this excitement, it seems all very intriguing and I am trying to keep calm as not being in control is one of my lesser strengths.

Animals along the drive include: baboons, zebras, warthogs, cows, and goats! Lots and lots of goats ! And they like to jump out at you as if they were saying "WELCOME" ! Regardless of the animals on or off the road, we were talking and talking and talking some more, just about everything ! Great bunch of people to be discussing our stories we have collected through our adventures thus far :-)

Swaziland was also very interesting to see. Well, there was very little to see from driving through the country however, the things we did see wasn't very pleasing. There was little vegetation, which tells me that the country isn't providing enough food for it's citizens.
Since it was the winter time, Mike was telling us that the trees and shrubs look more dry compared to the summer time when everything is much more lush. The villages mostly had mud huts with little infrastructures like schools, shopping stores, and community buildings. One really amazing brewery we did drive by with a massive sign on the enterance: something somethings USA something something. I'm sure some of the locals get to earn a nice wage in that brewery however, unfortunately it did not look as if this company had invested into developing the surrounding communities.

From extreme drought and little mud huts along a beautiful mountain range we slowly arrived to the sea side.

Welcome to Maputo ! A busy and extremely metropolitan vibe while rolling barely 20kph on a Friday during rush hour. We happen to arrive on a very busy day trying to dodge cars from all angles. Once on the main road we were in bumper to bumper traffic AND people selling the usual nik naks, sunglasses, and puppies.

PUPPIES !!!! people are selling puppies along the road?! I can't stop staring at these cute little creatures being flung to each car window as it stop at the robots (aka: stop lights). I have seen many strange things being sold while waiting for the light to turn green, but puppies ??? I'm thinking cute, but maybe not so ...safe ? (As I picture excited children in the back seat of a car while frantic parents are trying to drive home during the rush hour) We managed to arrive to the restaurant where the registration was taking place without Renata purchasing a puppy. Shocking ! but I managed.

Saturday Game day, all day!

I will let the pictures speak on this one. Just know that the winds got up to 40kph and frisbees become a challenge to throw in such conditions. Oh, and the evening dinner was hectic and I did pull my ham strings due to being chased by nudist :-)

Sunday -Finals

Makande placing 3rd overall but really, we came first place in our cheering :-) We had the moves and the song no one could truly resist but watch in awe !

After an amazing fish-market experience there was finger licking, and toasting, and saying a few good-byes to those who were leaving after dinner. Those of us who stayed behind an extra night we decided to hit the town and get a few drinks at the local favourite place. After drinks came the ice cream (or maybe before) and then came the ride home. Stopped by the cops! That's right, we have turned bad-ass and was driving over the limit. Or so we thought. The cops noticed that we had 3 people extra in a car seated fro 5. The cop told Mike that each person will be charged 1000 MC which would be 3000MC. Mike starred fear in the eyes and said: we will pay 50% of that. So we scramble 1500MC and drove away like we just made the deal of the night. No guilt, no ethical dilemma, just doing business as usual in Maputo. Take it and go!

Monday - morning rush hour to end out visit

Thanks to everyone for an amazing experience and meeting some great friends along the way !

R :-)