Mozambique Border

Once we turned back east around past the top of Swaziland the landscape changed from sun baked plains grazed by cattle into more green sugarcane fields. The N4 cuts through a beautiful gorge, all dramatic cliffs of red rock and twisting corners. After still more roadworks we finally made it to the Mozambique border not long before 4pm and I was pleased to see there was little queue ahead of us. We enquired at the enquiries desk about where to go about getting the Landy's carnet sorted out and were promptly accompanied by a self appointed assistant. Once the correct stamp had been made in the carnet and signed by the official (who had no pen of his own and declined to return mine), immigration stamped us out of South Africa promptly.

A few hundred meters down the road we completed visa application forms then went to get the Landy stamped into Mozambique. After much heated discussion between the official and our helper (his self made badge said he was customs clearance) the carnet was stamped and a receipt issued for the fee. Upon examining the carnet documents however, Duncan saw they'd stamped the Mozambique stamp on the very first page - the one for Australia where the Landy started last November! They were supposed to complete a form, stamp it and tear the perforation and retain the bottom third. Duncan went back to the official with our Portugese speaking assistant and with some more back and forth, by completing the form himself and ensuring it was processed correctly the Landy was legal to drive into Mozambique. I waited in line to sort out the visa's while Duncan showed the customs inspector the vehicle and its contents. There was some concern about bringing in a box of wine we purchased for special occasions and also about the jerrycans on the roof, until explained via our assistant they were currently empty. Once he understood the nature of the trip itself, the Landy passed the inspection while the customs inspector shook his head in wonder at the mad plans these foreigners have.

We made it into Maputo just as darkness fell and have set up the tent in the carpark of a local backpackers hostel. The plan for tomorrow is to hightail it up to the seaside resort of Tofo for some more diving, then pootle back along the coast. We have to return to South Africa via the same border crossing.