Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified. Christians all over the world remember this day. This photo was taken in the main cathedral in Maputo, Mozambique in southern Africa. I, Zeb the Duck, was there for this photo July, 2016.
Cathedral in Maputo, Mozambique
I, Zeb the Duck, really loved my summer in Southern Africa. I wanted to show you some of my favorite memories, but there were so many. Remember this trip started with us volunteering for a couple weeks with Ripple Africa in Malawi.
Ripple Africa
The students were so friendly and eager to learn.
Students
We saw this all over Southern Africa. Living on the shore of Lake Malawi, we appreciated the sunny days and the evenings watching the moon rise over the lake.
Moon rising over Lake Malawi
We saw people everywhere carrying items on their heads.
Great posture and great balance as they carry heavy loads
The humans walk so gracefully and have beautiful posture. These changu changu moto stoves save so much wood and requires so much less work to use.
Changu changu moto wood burning stove
They are a huge improvement over the traditional three stone stove. Men stack wood on frames on their bicycles.
Loading firewood on bicycle
Seeing them ride with all the wood was fascinating. We smiled at this sign, but it was true.
The monkeys do take things
The monkeys will pick up most items and the items may be gone forever. Victoria Falls is so big and so powerful. It really is a sight for all to see.
Rainbow Falls at Victoria Falls, Zambia
This is Rainbow Falls on the Zambian side. The rainbow seems to be there almost all the time. Male dancers and singers in the Kingdom of Swaziland entertained us.
Entertainers from Kingdom of Swaziland
Many humans think of large animals and safaris whenever Africa is mentioned. We loved our safaris and the animals are so majestic, and in many cases, they were playful and entertaining. Impalas are so plentiful and also so delicate and graceful.
Impala
We never tired of seeing them. We love the zebras.
Zebra
The stripes are so exotic to me. And the massive elephants, especially in groups always take your breath. And there is nothing like a baby elephant to soften your heart.
Elephants
Cape Buffalo always make us smile.
Cape Buffalo
The Swazi candles were some of our favorite souvenirs. Packing them was a challenge!
Candle from Swazi Candles.
This monkey candle is bigger than I am. I loved seeing the Indian Ocean from Bonnie, our horse. 
The money in Africa was very colorful. We like each denomination a different color. Makes things easier for humans. Each country used a different currency, but US dollars were accepted most places.
Money from Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa.
Zimbabwe did not print their own paper money. The official currency of Zimbabwe is the US Dollar. We did bring a little local currency home, but most of the left over money is donated at airports to help the local people. If everybody gives a little, that equals a lot of money and a lot of local help. We did purchase many Visas, each time we entered a country, and flights between countries in Southern Africa were expensive and not always convenient. But the experience was unforgettable. The people–so friendly and helpful. The land and animals are beautiful. We were able to visit Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Kingdom of Swaziland, South Africa and Mozambique. We hope you visit these countries soon. You will never forget the experience.
Today is our last full day in Mozambique and we are going to an island. I, Zeb the Duck, love water, so I really love islands. Alfonso picks us up at our hotel and we start driving, passing along the coast of Maputo Bay.
Maputo Bay
Leaving the city, we turn from the coastline, and continue driving in rural Mozambique.
Rural Mozambique
After 40 minutes of driving, we encounter the town of Marracuene, walk 10 minutes to the Nikomati River. We wait to get on the small Nikomati River Ferry.
Nikomati River Ferry
Our ferry takes six cars and many people. The bridge you see on the left is not completed, so driving is not an option to cross the river. We watch these people cleaning and cutting fish by the Nikomati River.
Cleaning fish
We stood on the ferry with many other people and watched the town of Marracuene fading away.
Leaving Marracuene
The cars in line are waiting for their turn to cross the river. On the other side, we are met by a truck from the resort. Driving on these roads is exciting.
Driving to the resort
Everything is so sandy here. Afonso said many years ago crops were grown in this area, but the ocean gets too high in the rainy season and the ground has too much salt to produce crops now. Perhaps this is our welcoming committee?
Welcoming committee?
Or is this immigration,checking our passports? But I like cows, so I, Zeb the Duck, am happy to see them. Here we are. This was our transport and we have arrived at Tan ‘n Biki Resort.
Arrived at Tan ‘n Biki Resort
We will have lunch here today. This pool certainly looks inviting.
Looks good
But mom says no swimming today. After ordering our lunch, we returned to our transport vehicle.
Our transportation. Can I drive?
Now we are visiting another resort.
Nascer Do Sol Resort
Mom, why does this resort say horses? We are riding horses today? Here I am, Zeb the Duck, in the saddle of a very big horse.
I am on a tall horse
You will notice the top of the ladder. The ladder is for mom and the other humans to mount their horses. OK, mom’s on the horse, too.
Here we go
We are ready to head to the beach to ride along the Indian Ocean. This is so exciting. This photo was taken from the back of Bonnie, our horse.
Indian Ocean from back of Bonnie
The beach and the Indian Ocean are beautiful. I love this. We rode our horse on the beach for more than one hour. I, Zeb the Duck, did not want to get off this horse. Her name is Bonnie. But we did get off Bonnie. Our driver took us back to Tan ‘n Biki Resort where our lunch was ready. Because we are eating by the Indian Ocean, mom ordered line fish. That is whatever fish they catch on the fishing lines today. That is really fresh and tasty. Our fish was so good. Of course, we did get the whole fish again. I am getting used to fish with heads on our plate. We don’t eat the heads, but many people do. After our delicious lunch, we wanted to walk on the beach. Each of the resorts we visited were beautiful. These are steps going over the sand dunes and on to the the beach.
Stairs to beach
Let’s go mom. I am sitting on the beach and the waves from the Indian Ocean did reach me and I got wet.
I got wet in the Indian Ocean
But the water did not pull me out to the ocean. And mom’s right there to protect me. Here I am sitting on the boat.
Zeb on the boat in front of picnic shelters
These picnic shelters on the beach protect humans, and small ducks, from the intense tropical sun of the summer. Even now, during winter in the Southern Hemisphere, the sun is intense. Too soon it is time for us to get in the resort truck, drive down the sandy roads and get on the ferry.
Waiting for the Nikomati River Ferry to go back to Maputo
After the Nikomati River Ferry, we took the same route, through the country side, along the Bay of Maputo and into the city of Maputo to our hotel. This was a wonderful day and a great end to our time in Mozambique. If you go to Maputo, Mozambique, call Afonso to go to Macaneta Island. Go for the day, or stay longer at either of these resorts. You will love it.
We are enjoying our time in the Kingdom of Swaziland. Now it is time for lunch. This is the place.
Time for lunch
While eating we can gaze over a pretty lawn, into a valley with pretty mountains behind. Lunch was delicious. But, now there are shops to visit. But mom! First let’s go to the House on Fire.
House On Fire shops with Samson
What?? Go into a house on fire? This means that it is a hot place, or a very popular area. I, Zeb the Duck, was getting worried. Inside the complex is a stage.
Center stage
Perhaps I, Zeb the Duck, should perform on this stage? Maybe not. This is where future performances are announced.
Schedule of performances. I am with Samson
I did not see a sign for me, so I will not perform here. Soon we went into a nice store that specialized in basketry and woven things. Yes, she did. Baskets? Suitcase packing tomorrow night will not be good. I really like these trees, and look at the unusual plants. They are bent like candy canes.
Unusual plants
I, Zeb the Duck, am in the leaves of the plant on the left. Very nice in here. Another store? Let’s enter Swazi Candles.
Swazi Candles
Oh, I like this place. This man is making a candle.
Making a candle
He stopped to tell us how they are made and show us how the wax is kept warm to shape it. This man is adding more wax to a head to make big hair.
More wax to make big hair
Look at these candles.
Candles
We love the safari animal candles. After working on candles with warm wax, the finished candles must be cooled in cold water.
Newly made giraffe candles cooling in cold water
These giraffes are cooling now. Our friendly candle maker has just finished this elephant.
He just finished this elephant candle. We bought it.
Wow! I love these candles.
So many fabulous candles.
Of course we purchased some. They will be so much fun to have at home. I will be reminded of Swaziland every time I see them. It is now time to return to Mozambique for the night. Samson takes us through the city of Manzini.
Driving through Manzini, Swaziland
We really like Swaziland. Everything is so clean. The people we met were all so nice. We even met Samson’s sister today. Almost everybody we talked to spoke English very well, so our trip to the Kingdom of Swaziland was easy and very enjoyable. If you ever want to go to the Kingdom of Swaziland, call Samson at Dug**** travel. We think you will love your visit. We did.
Mom and I got up early again this morning Samson picked us up and we are going to visit the Kingdom of Swaziland. A Kingdom? The King has absolute power here. Samson used to live in the Kingdom of Swaziland, so he is our perfect guide. I am riding through the Kingdom of Swaziland.
Driving through the Kingdom of Swaziland
The country is pretty and everything is very clean. The roads are good, also. Our first stop is the craft center.
More markets
Oh no! Mom, the suitcase is already full. There is no room for more. But it is OK. She did not buy anything big. She hardly bought anything at all. We had to leave to see the cultural village. Here we are.
Nature Reserve and Cultural Center
This is the Mantenga Nature Reserve and Swazi Cultural Village. First we are entertained by dancers performing traditional Swazi dances.
Very talented Swazi dancers and singers
Toward the end of the performance they sing. We really like these dancers and singers. The performance has ended, so we visit the cultural village. This is the home of the medical healer.
Medical healer lives here
Traditional medicine and herbs were used to heal most illnesses. Here is the fire area.
Fire area
This is not the kitchen. The fire area is for men. The kitchen is for women. Mom reacted to that, of course. So did all the other female tourists. But she liked this one. This is a house of a grandmother.
Grandmother by her house
Grandma’s house is probably the most important house in the village. Women marry when they are about 18 and men marry when they are about 35. The men need to work to have enough money to buy cows for the dowry of the bride. So, husbands die first and the widow is considered the wisest now. When there is an important function in the family, the grandmother even cooks and supervises the special food preparation.
Outdoor cooking area
This is another grandmother’s house and we went inside.
We are going inside this grandmother’s home
After entering, men stand on the right and women on the left. The door is low for safety. If an enemy tries to enter, he must bend low and his head enters first. The men will simply club him on the head and the problem is usually solved. In our society, when leaving a building, it is ladies first. Here it is men first. The same reason. When leaving, you bend low and your head leaves the house first. The men go out first to be sure that it is safe for the women. After the cultural village, we went to Mantenga Falls and Picnic Site.
Beautiful waterfalls and river
We love these waterfalls. It would be so nice to have a picnic here. Many people enjoy the falls and picnic site. There is a stove and wood for your fire. The picnic tables are big and in great locations. Aren’t these stairs great?
Scenic stairs
They just look like waterfalls and beautiful scenery should be near. Leaving the nature reserve and cultural village, we saw this aloe plant with pretty yellow flowers.
Aloe Vera plant in bloom
At home, in Colorado, we have aloe plants in the house, but we never have flowers. The yellow is very cheerful. Continuing on the road, we passed the mother cow with a calf.
Mom and baby
I love cows. They seem to make everything peaceful. Next time I will show you how we spent the afternoon in the Kingdom of Swaziland. We like the Kingdom of Swaziland, and Samson is telling us so much about the country. This is a great day.
Today we will see if Mom can lead us through Maputo. Isaac is no longer with us. First, a taxi to Hotel Terminus to sign up for a tour to Swaziland. Now Mom thinks we can walk along the coast of Maputo Bay and find someplace, with a water view, for lunch. We love seeing these ships on Maputo Bay.
Ships on Maputo Bay
We stop here and admire the view above Maputo Bay.
Beautiful spot to look out to sea.
Isn’t this beautiful. We love to just sit and watch the water. This bird seems to also enjoy watching the water.
Best seat in the area
I believe he has the best seat on the coastline. Small boats are used by fisherman.
Fisherman
Being in a small boat is my idea of a perfect day. This is a really old, original waterfront building in Maputo.
Old building with thatched roof. Zeb on ground under giraffe
A great thatched roof. I, Zeb the Duck, am sitting on the ground by the giraffe. Continuing along the coastline, this pier calls us.
Let’s walk on the pier
Let’s go, Mom. The end of the pier consists of rocks.
Rocks at end of pier and ship on Maputo Bay
Very interesting to this duck. Looking back, we gaze at the waterfront hotels.
Looking back at water front hotels and apartments
Now I see another boat with more fishermen.
Fishermen
This is a little different from what we usually see here. We walk to the Southern Sun Resort. Looks like a good place for lunch, I think. I, Zeb the Duck, have never seen a sandwich with so much inside and even bacon on top of the sandwich.
Love the basket for French Fries. First time with bacon on top of sandwich
During lunch, I really enjoy the view of Maputo Bay.
Great view for lunch
I have been watching this fisherman gathering and moving his nets.
Bringing in fishing nets
This is a very nice pool, but mom says we cannot swim in it because we are not staying here.
Southern Sun Hotel pool
That is fine with me. I want to watch the water. We stroll along the sand for awhile. Mom says it is time to go back to our hotel, but we don’t want to walk back. Our lunch and earlier walk seem to make us have less energy. This man drove us back to our hotel.
He brought us back to our hotel.
He was very nice. While in Maputo we have talked to so many very nice people. We are glad we decided to visit Maputo, Mozambique.
Near our hotel, Isaac shows us the Praça de Independēncia, or Independence Plaza. On one side is Cathedral of Nossa Senhora da Conceiçāo. (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception)
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
We enter the cathedral and I love the windows.
Beautiful
Each view is spectacular.
Beautiful
Aren’t they beautiful?
Love the windows.
Leaving the cathedral, I, Zeb the Duck, am surprised to see cars parked on part of the sidewalk.
Parking on part of the sidewalk
In front of City Hall we see this statue of Marechal Samora Moises Machel, the first president of the Republic of Mozambique.
First President of the Republic of Mozambique
We like the City Hall building.
City Hall
Isn’t this stone work nice on the sidewalk by City Hall?
Intricate cement work
Maputo was a grand city when it was built by the Portuguese. Inside City Hall, we admired the classic architecture.
Staircase inside City Hall
Love stairs going up each side. Outside we admire the view of Maputo Bay from City Hall.
View of Maputo Bay
Near Independence Plaza we see the Iron House.
Iron House
The Iron House was designed by Eiffel in the late 19th century as the governor’s residence. The house is made entirely from iron. However the iron house was unsuitable for the tropical conditions. The hot building is now used by the Minister of Culture. Nearby we appreciated the Municipal Gardens.
Municipal Gardens
I, Zeb the Duck, am on this tree trunk, but it is so big you can hardly see me.
Large tree trunk. Zeb is on the lower right of the big indented area of the trunk
The flowers are colorful and pretty here.
Colorful flowers
We liked just wandering around the streets of Maputo with Isaac. But I, Zeb the Duck, am worried now. I heard mom say that this was our last day with Isaac. We will walk around on our own for a day. Oh mom, I hope you know what you are doing.
Today Isaac first took us to the fishing museum. We were not allowed to take photos in most areas. But we could take photos of the fish in this large aquarium.
Fish inside tank
We love to watch fish.
Fish inside tank
We enjoyed seeing this fishing boat up close.
Fishing boat
Next Isaac showed us the train station.
Maputo train station
This train station is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the world. Let’s walk here, as if we were waiting for a train.
Let’s look for a train
I am enjoying a rest on this model train engine.
Relaxing on train engine
This is an example of statues to enjoy while waiting for a train.
Statues
Further on our exploration of Maputo we passed this mosque.
Mosque in Maputo
Here is a typical street in downtown Maputo.
Downtown Maputo
Our next stop was a craft market. We did purchase a few necklaces here.
We bought necklaces from him
The display of cloth was colorful.
Colorful
The metal items were nice, also.
Nice metal
And look at this, even the trash cans are decorated.
Almost too pretty for trash
I am happy with Isaac and the places he takes us. We did not see many other tourists in Maputo, and I did not see any other yellow ducks. Maputo is an old Portuguese city and we are enjoying wandering around town. We think you would enjoy Maputo also.
Welcome back. I am still showing you what I discovered in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Chris is our guide and driver in the part, and Samson is our guide and driver outside the park. Samson got us at our hotel and will return us there tonight. Rhinos are really huge.
Rhinos
Rhinos are endangered because they are poached, or killed illegally. Chris says that if the current rate of rhino poaching continues, Kruger many not have any rhinos in 3-5 years. That would be sad. The rhinos are poached, or killed, for the horn on their nose. These elephants are really close to us.
Elephants are really close
Mom let me sit on the vehicle to see them. We are really close now. Cape Buffalo are also in Kruger National Park.
Cape Buffalo
So big and their horns are against their head, rather than in the air like animals that live by me. Always something different to see and learn. I love to travel and learn. Another fabulous zebra.
Love the zebra
This rhino crossed the road right in front of our vehicle.
Rhino crossed in front of our safari vehicle.
So big and so massive. OK, this is what the humans have been looking for.
First lion sighting for Zeb the Duck
This lion just finished breakfast and is relaxing and enjoying the shade of this tree. He is majestic! This giraffe is resting also.
Giraffe at rest
Even lounging on the ground, he is very tall. The monkey also wanted a snack.
Monkey
We saw many large elephants.
Elephant
This one is also eating. Elephants are vegetarians, so they eat most of the day. Remember the kudu from Chobe Park in Botswana?
Kudu. Love those twisted horns
Here is another kudu. The twisted horns are very distinctive. We admire those horns. OK, mom said I should put this photo in here. I am not sure. This is droppings from a hyena.
From the hyena. Much calcium
The hyena eats many bones and his droppings are almost all calcium. Chris told us that. The giraffe also wanted a snack.
Giraffe enjoying a snack
I love to see giraffes eating leaves. The are so tall and regal. We stopped at the lodge on the river and I enjoyed the view.
View of the river in Kruger National Park
There are hippos in that river also. We are heading to the exit of Kruger Park, but look at this.
Elephants by the river in Kruger National Park, South Africa
These elephants by the river could be an advertisement for Kruger Park. And about elephants. You know they are very big and they can do what they want.
This elephant is king of the road
There were three large elephants in the middle of the road, stopping traffic from each direction. They are close to us and so much in charge of the situation. We loved watching them before we left the park to go back to our hotel in Maputo, Mozambique. This was my last African safari for this trip, so I, Zeb the Duck, am very happy that we saw so many wonderful wild animals. We hope you go on an African safari. The animals are so majestic. I love safaris.
This morning Samson picked us up really early. We are driving to Kruger National Park in South Africa for the day. Driving, the sun came up and we reached the border between Mozambique and South Africa.
Immigration point between countries
We cleared immigration to leave Mozambique and then cleared immigration to go into South Africa. Minutes later we enter Kruger National Park.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
This is our safari vehicle.
Ready for a safari.
I am ready to find big animals. As you know, I, Zeb the Duck, have been on safaris so I know that I stay in my traveling bag or sit on the vehicle seat most of the time. Our first animals are impalas.
Impalas
Chris, our guide, says there are more than 150,000 impalas in Kruger Park. That is a lot! These hippos know we are here.
Hippos. Always watching
They are watching us. Guinea Fowl or Guinea Hens are rather plentiful and they have a beautiful blue neck and head.
Guinea Fowl or Guinea Hen
This is a brown snake-eagle.
Brown Snake Eagle
Glad he wants to eat brown snakes, and not yellow ducks. I love zebras. Look at this one.
Zebra
I believe this is a Burchel Zebra. They crossed the road directly in front of our safari vehicle.
Zebras. The crossed right in front of us!
I love to see big animals this close. Chris showed us this owl.
Big eyed Owl
He sure has big eyes. This bird with a bright red neck caught my eye.
Bird with bright red neck
We love birds, but I prefer big animals on safari. Here is a warthog.
Warthog
Warthogs are rather plentiful also, but I, Zeb the Duck, love to watch them.
Warthogs grazing
They eat a lot and often. The top tusks are not very sharp, but the bottom tusks are very sharp. Don’t you just adore giraffes?
Giraffe
Mom and I really like to see them. This is an animal we have not seen yet.
Blue Wildebeest or Gnu
Chris says this is a Blue Wildebeest. He also calls it a gnu. We are seeing so many animals and I want to show them all to you, so I will finish this next time. We don’t want these posts to get too long. Remember, next time, more big animals.
Colorado Traveling Ducks 