Maintaining 4500ft,routing south from camp to vilanculos,the expansive bay between Beira and Bartholomeu Dias point in the south, fills the perspective from the heavily loaded, red and white c206. The garmin C295 on the dash indicating oh so accurately 00:55:26 to run to Vil. The solitary white sandy finger of the point surrounded vividly by the travel brochure blue and turquoise water. Having flown over this point numerous times,i had always dreambt of exploring this area in a bit more detail,due mainly to how remote and beautiful it is. Little did I believe that 2 day's later, my footprints would join those of early European explorer's who had de-flowered this spot so many year's before. Hmmmm I wonder what would make a trip to this point a little more interesting, turn it into a real old school adventure.....something unique...
the morning arrive's, steaming cup's of Ricoffee and bowls of cereal are quickly dealt with,excitement builds as we await the slowly receding tide. Waiting on the lord if you will,to reveal the sliver of beach where the consistency of sand to water is just right,because this section is where you can comfortably ride a mountain bike. Before we knew it,my boss,a couple friends and I were off,the easy early morning Mozambiquen sun,painting softly now,orange's,yellows and pink hue's on the white sand,the smile on my face and on that of the other's expressing a spot of anxiety mixed in with spoonful's of excitement for the adventure that lay ahead of us. Little did we know what lay ahead in the many kilometre's to come....
After a couple hour's of fairly basic riding,the heat and humidity so common to this country attacked some of our team mate's energy but none the less we carried on going. Until we rounded another sandy Ponta' that is.A massive bay came into view,roughly 20km's south of inhassoro,maybe less. Greeted by the sight of mixed light blue of shallow seawater, intense green of the mangrove's and interspersed red and orange of many thousands of crab's lining the bay. Our initial reaction was awe but the bay quickly turned our smiles upside down,completely un-rideable for almost 6km's,pushing our bike's through knee-deep sand and mud. The soon nick-named baia de diablo or bay of satan,took its toll as well as time to get through in the heat of midday and this caused mutiny in the crew, we were forced to leave 2 of the team at inhassoro,they decided beer and a vehicle pick-up was the way to go. Somewhat disappointed in our cycling comrades,the remaining 2 and myself pushed on into the night.
On our Northbound track with a cool southerly wind on our back's. The full moon throwing silver lashings of light on the now dark, menacing east-African sea. Sweat and sun cream stinging my eyes and the humming of fast spinning tire's on sand, the only things reminding us of reality. Imagine if you may, a magic carpet ride....no lights just the clear air sparkle of star's and white silver light. The thought of an ice cold beer, driving the 26kph pellaton towards the point. My eye's accustomed well to the dark now, the long arcing beach in front of us seeming as if it would never end. An overwhelming sense of humility took over my thoughts and feelings, mainly because of just how unique this little adventure was and with these thoughts my mind drifted in the darkness. A great quote bounced into my mind and it fitted the moment perfectly-'He who ignores times, walks in darkness and who explores it, is illuminated by great light "
After 80km's+- and 0700 to 1922,my muscle's eased as I got off my bicycle and felt the soft sand of Bartholomeu Dias point under my tired feet. The best crab curry of my life and an icey Doiche M beer, were quickly liberated at the small lodge on the point. I lay in bed that night and pondered the return journey the next morning. These thoughts worried me little because I was on top of the world,this was a golden moment, my spirit humbled and indomitable. Pure joy man...pure joy:) Adventures of the near future such as Kilimanjaro and Everest base camp allowed sleep to creep in fast and without consent.
The return journey was tough into a stiff southerly wind as well as with tired body's, but we averaged a decent speed. Before I knew it I was back in the hammock in vilanculos,swinging gently in the wind writing notes on the journey. With a cold one in hand I realised that people need to take more time in their lives to pursue little adventures of their own. To forget about the mediocrity and drama and push for those golden moments in life. Don't let mundane day to day things get you down. Plan an adventure, even just a small one or don't plan and do something spontaneous. Whatever comes of it, even if it is a complete failure, you will be a better person after it all.
'life is life, live it, love always, apologise for nothing'
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