Maputo, Mozambique 🇲🇿

Mozambique is a young country with a violent history. It is the only country whose flag has an AK47 machine gun on it. Mozambique was under Portuguese colonial control until 1975, when the war between the local people and Portugal became too expensive for Portugal, and they reluctantly gave Mozambique it's freedom. Their independence was declared in 1975. Civil war broke out between the Mozambique ruling Marxist Liberation Front and the anti-communist insurgent forces of the Mozambican National Resistance in 1977 and lasted until 1992. Small skirmishes still break out, mainly due to extreme corruption in the government and extreme poverty of the people. With many tribes and 33 different languages spoken (Portuguese is the official language), it is difficult to become a cohesive country. That said, we found the people of Maputo, the capital city, to be wonderful.

Our shore excursion was not until3 p.m.m, so we wondered on our own in the morning. Between our wandering and our excursion, we saw quite a few of the recommended sights. We stopped by the Maputo Central Railway Station, a beautiful building built between 1908 and 1914. It is still used for rail transport today, and also houses the rail museum, which was very interesting. I especially liked the little rail car that looked like a small camper. In front of the building is Labor Square, so named because most workers go through it, catching busses on their way to work. There is also the WWI war memorial in Labor Square.

We went through Independence Square, with a statue of the first president of Mozambique, Samora Moisés Machel, the Mayor's office, and Our Lady of Concession Church. We stopped by the Iron House, designed by Gustave Eiffel, a building entirely made from modular metal panels. It isn't attractive, and according to our guide, it is like an oven in warm months and a freezer in cool months. It was intended to be the mayor's house but was never used by him.

We also went to the produce market, Mercado Municipal, and the Feima Artisans Market, which is in a park. It was a fabulous day!

We have watched the sun go down behind the Katembe bridge, the longest suspension bridge in Africa (built by China). Cocktails have been had, and we bid you good night!

Saúde! Cheers!Read more