Misfits Mid-Life Crisis Adventures in London, Cairo, Joberg and Tofo Mozambique (The NEXT Chapter).

Week 65, Saturday 12^th September until Friday 18th September 2015.

Portuguese word of the week: Alfândega

 In Joberg Airport.

Saturday 12 of September I left the UK for the next chapter of my adventures in Tofo Mozambiqie. SAZ and Anaia took me to the airport, the traffic was horrendous but it will be remembered because that’s when the new leader of the Labour party Jezzer Corbyn was announced. Met MOZ at Heathrow we spent quality time together before I had to leave, of course it was sad, especially hugging my niece, there was a lot of waving as I went through the barrier of no return.

   Bye bye Heathrow.

This is the third time I have flown Air Egypt at 15.00 on a Saturday and yes for the third time the flight was late. We boarded on time but didn’t actually take off until after 4pm, I could have spent more time with MOZ, SAZ and Anaia. London to Cairo passed by quickly, I watched a couple of movies, I ate all the food, I love airplane food. Spent a couple of hours at Cairo before boarding another late flight. I took my seat and got a surprise as the person who was sitting next to me was the same woman from the flight from London. On the previous flight we didn’t really say anything to each other. But from Cairo we got to know each other, her name was Peta a graphic designer who had been visiting relatives in the UK. Joberg Peta and I wished each other a safe and happy onward journey and said goodbye.

 No Starbucks in Joberg Airport, but they do have Mugg & Bean (with 30mins of free wifi), look at the size of the Muff(in) I got my nose in to.

At Joberg airport I found one of my cases for the Mozambique airline LAM was 4kg over, but a nice man said as I was flying alone I could pass through. That flight is quick; the plane is small and noisy as it has large propeller engines.

  My LAM flight from Joberg to Inhambane.

Jenny met me at Inhambane airport, during the car ride to Tofo I was pleased to see that nothing had really changed. People still walk in the middle of the road, goats and cows munch grass and other bushes by the road and building that were being build are still being built. First stop the dive shop to say hi to everyone, I felt like a celebrity as most people were there to say hi (they were probably already there if I’m honest) huge hugs all round. Then it was off to the market to say hello or being stopped to say hello. I really felt at home, it was as if 6 months hadn’t passed.

  Inside the LAM flight, I could just glimps the flight deck for a mo, even small airplane good is nice.

I am staying at Nadia housesitting for a few days and looking after Rusty the dog, he is however really looking after me. Later in the week it was confirmed that I was going to house sit for Cindy in her newly purpose build house. My first evening was at Cindy’s having a meal with Jenny and Cindy and family.

  25,000ft above Mozziebeak and Inhambane Airport (its really the small building on the right).

Monday I slept in and didn’t actually arrive at the dive shop until late. That’s when I had my run in with authority. Three men from Alfândega (customs) wanted to look at papers concerning the boats; everyone in the area was being visited. Something was not quite right so tomorrow I’m going to have to go in to Inhambane with one of the Portuguese speaking guys to try and sort it out. The boss of the dive shop has gone to South Africa, if you’re wondering.

 In the Chappa.

Joey and I went to Inhambane on Tuesday because I was going to a government building I had to wear trousers and a t-shirt. We took a Chappa a small mini bus crammed full of people. I met a man going to college who was wearing glasses with no glass, I asked him about them he said they were good on him. Once in Inhambane we went to Alfândega an office with people in uniforms just sitting reading the paper or watching what appeared to be a Brazilian news channel. Luckily one of the men from yesterday was there so I didn’t have to go in to detail; he promised that the papers would be returned tomorrow, that’s all good. In the chappa home I nodded off, this is when I started to feel a little strange; I’m calling it Tofo tummy.

 The view out the back of the dive shop, wow..

Wednesday the tummy was definitely not well so stayed home, did some painting and rested.

Thursday I could have dived but the tummy was still not 100%, I decided that a wobbly tummy at depth was not a good idea. But I am diving tomorrow. Found all my dive gear at the dive shop have hung it up in its usual place i’m already to get wet. By the way the customs man didn’t come back on Wednesday, knew it was too good to be true.

 Thanks Jen, enjoyed that lots.

Friday was a wet day, first a double tank to two shallow sites, so nice to be on and in the water again. Even better being entertained by Humpback whales, never bored of a Humpy. The dives were chilled; my highlight was a large Octopus. In the afternoon there was an Ocean Safari, we were teased by dolphins saw Humpbacks but not a lot else and due to engine probs so we had to cut the trip short. I have moved out of Nadia’s place said goodbye to Rusty and moved in to Cindy’s house. After only just a few minutes I messed up the TV (Cindy has TV) at least I have stuff on my hard drive.

 Two of my new housemates from Friday night.

Been a great week (not really a week officially) in Mozambique what will happen in the next, certainly more diving I hope.

The Mid Life Crisis Conts……

This week I have been watching: “Tomorrowland : A World Beyond (2015)”, “Mad Max: Fury Road”, (2015), “Orange Is The New Black”, (Season 1, eps 3 to 8), “Dragons Riders of Berk”, (season 1, eps 1 & 2), “Killjoys”, (Season 1, eps 1 & 2), “Doctor Who: In to the Dalek”, (Season 8/34, eps 2), “Top Gear”, (Season 1, eps 1 to 10), “Dark Matter”, (Season 2, eps 1 to 3).

This week I have mainly been listening to: “Morrissey”, “Smiths”, “Lauren Aquilina”, “Kate Bush”, “Lana Del Ray”.

Reading on “Soviet Space Dogs”, by Olesya Turkina and “A Game of Thrones, A Song of Ice and Fire” book 2 “ A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin.