Days 81-84 Maputo , Mozambique and Sea Days

Weather
Upper 80's, overcast and humid

Map

What we did
We spent three blissful days at sea, filling our time with all the little rituals we’ve come to love onboard. Amy made the most of the fitness center and spa, while Tom kept up his routine with daily laps around the deck. We played plenty of Mahjong, indulged in High Tea, and even enjoyed another memorable dinner al fresco on the pool deck, this time with a Mexican theme.

On the fourth day, we docked in Maputo, Mozambique at 8:00 a.m., though our scheduled excursion wasn’t until mid-afternoon. Eager to explore, we hopped on the complimentary shuttle to FEIMA Market, a sprawling open-air marketplace known for its local crafts. The heat and humidity were intense, but that didn’t stop us from spending over an hour browsing. We were on a mission to find capulanas; the brightly colored fabrics that are a hallmark of the region and came away with beautiful pieces of fabric, throw pillow covers, and some striking batik artwork. Mozambique is among the world’s poorest countries, and it was difficult to see so many young children selling small bags of nuts to get by.

After a quick lunch back on the ship, we set off on our afternoon excursion, “Panoramic Maputo.” Traveling by bus, our first stop was the city’s iconic train station and museum, often ranked among the most beautiful in the world and widely considered the finest in Africa. We then visited a local food market before continuing a drive through the city, passing notable landmarks along the way. We returned briefly to FEIMA Market, where we helped a fellow passenger find the stall where we’d purchased our pillow covers. The woman who made them, working from a sewing machine right in her stall, crafts everything from bags to place mats on the spot, a true testament to local artistry. Our final stop was the Fortress of Maputo, an 18th-century structure built by the Portuguese, which now appears to double as a venue for evening events. All in all, the excursion exceeded our expectations. We managed to see a great deal in just a few hours. Still, we were especially glad we’d made that earlier visit to the market, giving us the time and space to fully enjoy the experience.