Inhambane is in Mozambique. It is a sleepy historic town some 485km north of Maputo. It has some great colonial architecture (in a low-key sort of a way) and is considered by many to be one of the prettiest towns in Mozambique. It is situated on a peninsula overlooking a bay, and also serves as a springboard to the coastal resorts around Tofo beach (some 30km due east, along a reasonably good road) It is a photographers dream as the scenery is just beautiful beyond words.
When Vasco da Gama rounded Africa in the late 1400s he pulled into the beautiful protected bay of Inhambane to replenish stocks and to explore. He took an immediate liking to the place and its people and named it Terra de Boa Gente or 'Land of the Gentle People'. For the Portuguese to establish a trading post ans settlement it took 40 years, but sadly the friendly people of Inhambane were rewarded by lives of slavery. Inhambane, which is one of the oldest settlements on the East Coast, was an important port. Although large ships seldom call here any longer, it still has the largest fleet of working dhows in the country. In the old quarter of town is the 170 year old Cathedral of our Lady of Conception where a rusted (and somewhat perilous) ladder leads to the top of the spire, offering grand views of town and harbour.
Some things to see and do are: you should also take in the old governor's house on the waterfront, the fascinating railway station (it has a workshop filled with old stream trains and memorabilia and men clanking away on old machinery) and the mercado which sells a colourful array of spices, prawns, fishes, vegetables and cashew nuts. You can also take a dhow trip across the harbour to Maxixe.
Restaurants in Inhambane
The Restaurant Macaroca, located in the centre of town, serves excellent seafood and chicken dishes at reasonable prices. It's managed by a Swiss, Dani, and his Moçambiquan wife.
Pensao Pachica is a guest house located on the bay of Inhambane about 300m to the right of the jetty when facing the bay. It boasts a quaint bayside restaurant, bar and pizza parlour. Managed by Dennis Adams, a lovely host and exellent cook. (Crab curry is a must!)
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