So check me out - http://pinterest.com/LeighHarding/
Tuesday 29 January 2013
Today is just a quick and shameless punt for my Pinterest page. Take a look, follow me and I promise you wont be disappointed! I looooove that site and spend a few hours each day adding to my lovingly curated selection of everything pretty.
Rustic Paradise: Flamingo Bay, Mozambique
Three weeks ago I was enjoying some much needed R&R with my husband in the almost-unspoilt paradise that is Mozambique. Somehow, while every Vaalie and his dog are cruising around the Inhambane area in their 4x4's, it still manages to offer you something so serene and quiet.
We went to Flamingo Bay based on the recommendation of Karisa from the blog http://loveaffaircapetown.com/ . Check out her post on her stay there and you'll find yourself inspired to pack up and go to!
I have to admit, upon touch down, I was concerned. Really concerned. See, we pictured a Mauritius type of holiday, and while we were expecting the small and dodgy airport, and something a bit more rustic - we did not expect to leave the airport, only to find ourselves amongst huts woven from palm tree leaves and goats tied to trees.
So people, know that you are most certainly going into Africa. It is rustic. Life happens on African time and a sense of humour and a ton of patience are vital - especially for us city kids who expect things done yesterday. They wont be done yesterday, or today, or tomorrow - maybe the next day, but you'll have to remind them.
That was the beginning and end of my complaints about the place. Rustic wasn't what we bargained on, but it was certainly what we needed and it was what we ended up falling in love with.
Flamingo Bay consists of chalets standing over the water on an estuary. Its a kid-free hotel and during our stay our fellow guests were all honeymooners and couples - one of which got engaged there!
(Carina and Wouter, congrats guys! Best of luck with the wedding planning!)
It offers no more than your chalets, a gorgeous pool, a spa and restaurant and bar. All you need for relaxation, romance and to work on your tan. Breakfast and dinner are included and you are spoilt with a delish breakfast buffet, and for dinner, a 3 course meal. The cocktails were out-of-this-worldly good - seriously, no bar tender in CT matches Eric's pina coladas and caipirinhas.
The hotel has a sister resort down the road called Barra Lodge (brimming with vaalies and their families). This is the kid friendly resort with cabanas etc and is a hugely popular spot for families. Its got plenty of activities on offer and 2 spots to eat and drink - of which we preferred the beach bar. The food was simple and tasty and we had a stunning view of the beach while getting in some R&R of a different kind - the Mozam special, the Rum&Raspberry. The local and very potent Tipo Tinto Rum and Sparletta. Who knew this would make the most refreshing and addictive combo of all time?!
Our lips in all our photos have a pink tinge because we lived off this stuff for 6 days. It certainly gets you relaxed and enjoying the slow pace of life. Between those and the 2M beer, we were well oiled during our trip. We even brought some rum back with us. (As it turns out, the Mozambican aviation laws are somewhat more relaxed than everywhere else on earth and you can bring back 5l, on carry-on!)
I would definitely recommend a week in this little slice of paradise. We mixed it up between relaxing spa treatments, walks on the beach and swimming in the water around our chalet - to more active pursuits such as quad-biking through the villages to Tofo, a catamaran trip, body boarding (where I learnt that rubbing sand on your skin cures a blue-bottle sting. Thanks creepy old Portuguese sea dog for the tip!)
Its a budget friendly holiday - I for one love an all-inclusive style holiday and knowing what I'm spending. This isn't completely all inclusive, but drinks and activities are very reasonable and you can work out a rough budget before you go.
Check out some of our pics below...
We went to Flamingo Bay based on the recommendation of Karisa from the blog http://loveaffaircapetown.com/ . Check out her post on her stay there and you'll find yourself inspired to pack up and go to!
I have to admit, upon touch down, I was concerned. Really concerned. See, we pictured a Mauritius type of holiday, and while we were expecting the small and dodgy airport, and something a bit more rustic - we did not expect to leave the airport, only to find ourselves amongst huts woven from palm tree leaves and goats tied to trees.
So people, know that you are most certainly going into Africa. It is rustic. Life happens on African time and a sense of humour and a ton of patience are vital - especially for us city kids who expect things done yesterday. They wont be done yesterday, or today, or tomorrow - maybe the next day, but you'll have to remind them.
That was the beginning and end of my complaints about the place. Rustic wasn't what we bargained on, but it was certainly what we needed and it was what we ended up falling in love with.
Flamingo Bay consists of chalets standing over the water on an estuary. Its a kid-free hotel and during our stay our fellow guests were all honeymooners and couples - one of which got engaged there!
(Carina and Wouter, congrats guys! Best of luck with the wedding planning!)
It offers no more than your chalets, a gorgeous pool, a spa and restaurant and bar. All you need for relaxation, romance and to work on your tan. Breakfast and dinner are included and you are spoilt with a delish breakfast buffet, and for dinner, a 3 course meal. The cocktails were out-of-this-worldly good - seriously, no bar tender in CT matches Eric's pina coladas and caipirinhas.
The hotel has a sister resort down the road called Barra Lodge (brimming with vaalies and their families). This is the kid friendly resort with cabanas etc and is a hugely popular spot for families. Its got plenty of activities on offer and 2 spots to eat and drink - of which we preferred the beach bar. The food was simple and tasty and we had a stunning view of the beach while getting in some R&R of a different kind - the Mozam special, the Rum&Raspberry. The local and very potent Tipo Tinto Rum and Sparletta. Who knew this would make the most refreshing and addictive combo of all time?!
Our lips in all our photos have a pink tinge because we lived off this stuff for 6 days. It certainly gets you relaxed and enjoying the slow pace of life. Between those and the 2M beer, we were well oiled during our trip. We even brought some rum back with us. (As it turns out, the Mozambican aviation laws are somewhat more relaxed than everywhere else on earth and you can bring back 5l, on carry-on!)
I would definitely recommend a week in this little slice of paradise. We mixed it up between relaxing spa treatments, walks on the beach and swimming in the water around our chalet - to more active pursuits such as quad-biking through the villages to Tofo, a catamaran trip, body boarding (where I learnt that rubbing sand on your skin cures a blue-bottle sting. Thanks creepy old Portuguese sea dog for the tip!)
Its a budget friendly holiday - I for one love an all-inclusive style holiday and knowing what I'm spending. This isn't completely all inclusive, but drinks and activities are very reasonable and you can work out a rough budget before you go.
Check out some of our pics below...
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