Year 7 Day 292 An Aborted Landing
20 October 2014 | At Linga Linga, Near Inhambane, Mozambique
Dave/Sunny and Breezy
We were hailed early this morning by Sven of S/V Solar Planet. He had been in conversation with the folks from S/V Grommet who were ashore at the resort where we had our beers yesterday. They had just finished talking to the caretaker who suggested that instead of going upstream to the village there, we all drive our dinghies across the wide river, climb up the tall bluff and catch a bus into the town of Maxixi. This town has an Internet café and the folks from Grommet were very interested in going there.
Thus, at 0900 this morning, Grommet, Solar Planet and Peggy of S/V Rhythm (who rode in our dinghy) and I all headed over to the far side of the river. It was easy going since the winds were only 10 knots and the river water was not choppy. However, about ¼ mile from shore we ran into some very serious sand bars. We all split up, each trying to probe a way into shore. It was approaching low tide and we discovered that it was absolutely the worst time to try to get to the far river bank.
As it turned out, none of us could find a way into shore and after a half hour of trying, we all gave up and returned to our respective boats. Damn! We all so were looking forward to exploring town and getting exposed to the Mozambique culture.
Michael of Grommet suggested that we all try again but leaving at 0500 tomorrow which would be well before low tide. While I would like to see Maxixi, the concept of leaving so early and trying to penetrate the sand bars in the dawn of the morning was just not exciting to me so I shared with them that I would opt out. It will just be another opportunity missed�...
To salvage the day, we opted to have our lunch at the resort today instead of tomorrow. Thus, at 1230 all 13 of us were gathered at the bar having drinks, socializing and playing pool. Mia suggested that she and I play a game and she hustled me over to the table with a glint in her eye. She had spotted a sucker and was anxious to take advantage of an old man.
Well, she beat me twice and each game was not even close. Her winning was so complete that her 10 year old brother saw an opportunity to take advantage of an old man and he too suggested that we play. I was able to delay this game until after lunch since the waiter announced that we should all move into the formal dining room.
This room was huge with a nice large formal dining table, heavy wooden chairs, a fireplace and standing candelabra with melted candles. The lunch was nice but simple. The choice was hamburgers or calamari salad. Each option was very good and the homemade bread was warm and delicious.
After lunch I was able to play my obligatory game of pool but this time I won. I actually felt bad beating a 10 year old but someone had to win�...
Both Mary Margaret and I enjoyed ourselves, the lunch and the socializing. However, everyone is anxious for the winds to shift so we can leave and continue our passage to Richards Bay or parts south. Right now it is still up in the air when we can leave. Everything is just day by day until the winds stop or switch from coming up from the south�...