Mozambique is famous for its beaches, although the water around Maputo isn't the crystal blue of postcards. The water is much cleaner offshore. Fishermen are happy to ferry tourists to the nearby Xefina island. It's uninhabited, with no vendors or toilets, so day trippers need to bring food, water and other supplies along with them.
Offshore paradise —
Mozambique is famous for its beaches, although the water around Maputo isn't the crystal blue of postcards. The water is much cleaner offshore. Fishermen are happy to ferry tourists to the nearby Xefina island. It's uninhabited, with no vendors or toilets, so day trippers need to bring food, water and other supplies along with them.
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Luxury destinations like the Polana Serena, seen here, and the Southern Sun both have pools overlooking the beach, the next best thing to swimming in the ocean.
Oceanside pools —
Luxury destinations like the Polana Serena, seen here, and the Southern Sun both have pools overlooking the beach, the next best thing to swimming in the ocean.
Griffin Shea
On the Avenida da Marginal, about 10 kilometers out of Maputo, small huts house tiny restaurants that grill chicken, prawns and calamari, which are served under the palms.
Grill huts —
On the Avenida da Marginal, about 10 kilometers out of Maputo, small huts house tiny restaurants that grill chicken, prawns and calamari, which are served under the palms.
Griffin Shea
A sign of the rapid changes, there are still fish mongers opposite the new Hugo Boss store.
Fish scales —
A sign of the rapid changes, there are still fish mongers opposite the new Hugo Boss store.
Griffin Shea
Jewelry, once used as currency in Mozambique, is on display in Maputo's National Coin Museum.
National Coin Museum —
Jewelry, once used as currency in Mozambique, is on display in Maputo's National Coin Museum.
Griffin Shea
One of the world's first pre-fabricated buildings, the Iron House was designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). Due to sweltering temperatures, it was barely used until the advent of aircon.
Iron House —
One of the world's first pre-fabricated buildings, the Iron House was designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). Due to sweltering temperatures, it was barely used until the advent of aircon.
Griffin Shea
The train station is undergoing a major renovation, but it's still open to the public. Inside are old steam engines, battered carriages and distinctive iron latticework.
Railway station —
The train station is undergoing a major renovation, but it's still open to the public. Inside are old steam engines, battered carriages and distinctive iron latticework.
Griffin Shea
Taxis and tuktuks are cheap and easy to flag in Maputo, but walking around the Baixa area is a pleasure.
Egg-shaped taxis —
Taxis and tuktuks are cheap and easy to flag in Maputo, but walking around the Baixa area is a pleasure.
Griffin Shea
Despite the rising skyscrapers, not everything in Maputo has been modernized. This notice advertises the services of a "traditional doctor."
Medicine man —
Despite the rising skyscrapers, not everything in Maputo has been modernized. This notice advertises the services of a "traditional doctor."
Griffin Shea
Getting lost is a pleasure in Maputo, especially in the mornings, when the worst-case scenario ends with an espresso and a pastel de nata egg tart pastry at a sidewalk cafe.
Coffee and pastry —
Getting lost is a pleasure in Maputo, especially in the mornings, when the worst-case scenario ends with an espresso and a pastel de nata egg tart pastry at a sidewalk cafe.
Griffin Shea
Across Maputo, cranes stretch up alongside new towers to house luxury hotels, corporate offices and posh condos -- all with price tags that seem more like Manhattan than Mozambique.
Mozambique not Manhattan —
Across Maputo, cranes stretch up alongside new towers to house luxury hotels, corporate offices and posh condos -- all with price tags that seem more like Manhattan than Mozambique.