Mary Jayne Cassidy » Travel, Development, Spiritual Growth

The Forteleza de São Sebastião (Fortress of Saint Sebastian) was built by the Portuguese from 1553-1583. It withstood attacks by the Dutch in the early 1600′s and was a major trading post for slaves and other things. The fort is in remarkably good condition considering its age and history.

Protected within the walls of the fort is the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte (Chapel of Our Lady of the Ramparts) which was built in 1522. My guide told me it was originally built as a mosque, but I can’t find any proof of this online or in my books. It does actually look like a mosque, however, from the outside.

I ran into these girls walking down the street. They were selling bananas and sweet cakes from the top of their heads. The three of us took a snack break to enjoy a banana. After some conversation about their age, family, school, etc… they asked me to buy them a pen and notebook (for school, of course). I don’t like giving money to people, but they suggested we all go to the market together (which I wanted to see anyway). It was quite an ordeal actually – not much different from my previous experiences shopping with my niece who is about the same age. So many options! How to choose?!?! After half an hour and officially irritating the salesguy with our indecision, each girl walked away with one pen and one notebook. I don’t know if they will be used for school, but if it keeps them occupied and out of trouble for a short time, it was worth the $1.33 that I spent. They were happy and grateful. We said our goodbyes and they ran off with friends.

A little later in the day, I ran into those girls again. They were sitting on a stoop writing their names in their new notebooks. I was looking for some shade, so I sat next to them and we just chilled. Two of their friends (girls travel in pairs everywhere you go) joined us and we all ate another banana and took photos.

I don’t necessarily prefer traveling alone, but I certainly do things I wouldn’t normally do if I was not alone. Like sit with these girls eating a banana and learning about life on the island for a 12 year old girl.

Off the coast of northern Mozambique is a charming island called Ilha de Moçambique (often referred to as just “Ilha”, pronounced “Eel-ya”). The entire island is a UNESCO World Heritage site … and, in my opinion, not to be missed.

The island is not easily accessible unfortunately. You have to first fly to Nampula (which cost half the price of flying to USA) and then take a 3 hour taxi ride – the last 3km of which is a single lane bridge (which is what starts the collection of pictures below). Who decides to build a single lane bridge, I’m not sure, but there you have it.

Ilha has a population of 18,000 (most of whom are children based on my own observation). The island is 3km long and between 200-500m wide. I walked the entire island each day – half in the morning and half in the afternoon (with a lunch break by the pool at my hotel). I started off in opposite directions each time so I could see every part of the island from a different perspective to the sun and tide (in or out).

I pretty much fell in love with this island – the people, the buildings and architecture, and history. I took 430 pictures. (Don’t worry – I’m not posting them all.) I narrowed them down to my favorites, but there are still too many for one blog post. So, here is the first post in the series.