Next stop Vilakulos

With our Chevy Spark still parked back in the capital, the next portion of our journey north would be quite complex. All said and done, we'd pack into two different chappas (the crowded African vans), each time negotiating baggage prices for Kulsum and Bodds' hiking packs, and a ferry. Tofo is located on the northern portion of a peninsula. To save total distance traveled, as well experience a boat ride, we opted for the most direct route, part of it over water.

As we knocked out the 6 or so hours of travel, constantly stopping to drop off and pick up new goods and passengers, we reached a capacity not yet seen. In an attempt to accommodate a group of students, even my sitting head space was compromised. A high school aged girl stood in the 'aisle' or door area of the bus with her hip pressed up to the end of a row of seats. She bent at the waist and extended her torso down the back of a (my) row of seats. This forced the me to lean forward onto my knees like a 1960's school drill preparing for a nuclear attack. This uncomfortable possible lasted a good 20 minutes until we got the kids to school.

Upon arriving in Vilakulos, we quickly knew the journey had not been in vain. We booked a day long boat ride out to the islands for the following morning. The trip was to include stops at two islands, a freshly caught and cooked ocean lunch, and snorkeling over a reef. As soon as the boat trip was booked, Bodds and launched a kayak and enjoyed the setting sun from 500 meters out into the water. The waters were crystal clear and schools of sardines nearly launched themselves into the kayak as they swam and flew about us. These seem like great signs for the snorkeling to come tomorrow.

Interestingly, the Vilakulos hostel has a unique bar special this week: a shot called a Mexican Asshole. Anyone care to offer a guess as to its contents?

Posted via Blogaway