Mozambique / Wed Mar 6

Today we're docked in Maputo, Mozambique - our first stop in Africa. 

We took a ship's tour as we'd heard that it may not be safe to be on our own. We took a walking tour of the city. Our guide met us at the ship and right after we left the port, he informed us that we were in the 'Red Light District' and were not allowed to take photos. He also told us to hold our phones tightly as the area was not safe. 

Next we walked to the Maputo Fort. Originally built by the Portuguese at the end of the 18th century, it was a strategic point in the Indian Ocean. Today it holds whatever was left behind by the Portuguese when the island became independent from Portugal in 1975.  

After visiting the Fort we walked past a mosque and other areas of interest. At one point our guide pointed out a place where many of the homeless live. He said it's a very violent area ... so violent that the police are too afraid to enter. 

Although there were many warnings about crime and violence, we felt safe walking with our guide but I don't think that would be the case if we were on our own. In fact, on ship tours there's usually a local guide and a staff from the ship who accompany you. On this walking tour there was an additional man who accompanied us for security.

Our next stop was the local market where you could find produce, fish, handicrafts and lots and lots of wigs and hair extensions. We were able to freely roam in there without our guide and we felt quite safe.

 

Our final stop was at the train station which was designed by Gustav Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame. It's considered to be the third most beautiful train station in the world.

On a final note here are a few more pictures from Maputo ...

The mosque

An apartment building