Day 5: Umhlanga to Maputo
Today was another 5:30 start, still dark outside we pulled off from Glitterbay, where we spent the night and headed off to the closest petrol station to fill up. Once everyone was gassed and ready, we set off down the N2. The first few hours of the ride were quite cold, most of us had put in our inner linings for a bike jackets, however some were not so wise and definitely regretted this ill decision as we went through bank after bank of icy mist. Breakfast came late in the morning, in Pongola where we met up with Ian Goss and Martin Van Rooyen who are both close friends of Mark and Les. After a thoroughly appreciated breakfast it was a short drive to the Swaziland border, which was our first border crossing. The crossing was quite painless and after a six stamped passports and a lot of inquisitive onlookers we saddled up for our ride through Swaziland. Our drive through Swaziland was relatively uneventful, that was until we arrived at the petrol station just before the Swaziland/Mozambique border post, let’s just say that we have come up with a new Biker Boyz motto, ‘’If the petrol station looks good, then we will stop and refuel.’’ The crossing into Mozambique proved to be a little bit more difficult and took a little longer to get everything stamped and approved. Then it was back on the road and into the Maputo rush hour traffic which led to Les almost being taken out by a taxi, Grant’s bike overheating and all of us heading down a one way street, THE WRONG WAY!!!! We were very pleased to finally arrive at the Palano hotel which is situated right on the beach front and will be one of the more comfortable hotel’s of the trip. After a revatilisng shower we went to traditional portuguese restaurant where we ordered bottle's of red wine and six whole peri peri chickens, which were all consumed within moments of being placed on the table. All in all it was a very pleasant day, the pace was good, the scenery was beautiful and the afternoon certainly not dull, tomorrow is a rest day and we all await it with eager anticipation, that is everyone except Grant, who has to try and find out why his bike is overheating!
Paul and the petrol attendent at the really dodgy petrol station
Grant at the total garage
Craig at the total garage
Paul at the total garage
The Bikes outside the Swaziland/Mozambique Border Post
Paul and Craig getting the passports stamped
Mark and Rob showing the customs officials how to do their jobs.
Grant guarding the bikes at the border post.
The team six whole chickens and alot of red wine.
COMMENTS
advised you to go through Goba. much better
by j rosario on May 30 2009, 19:24
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The 6 whole chickens and copious bottles of red wine, seems to have done Les a whole lot of good. It is the broadest smile I have ever seen on him. Craig your six pack still looks good and Paul and Grant also seem to be in good spirits. Glad you . .more
by Noeleen Bristow on May 30 2009, 21:05
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Hi guys:
There is no doubt that you love what you're doing.I can see the good mood in that
restaurant. I wish I was there with you, but driving a 4x4 not motor bike.
All the best.
by Simon Kawa on June 01 2009, 07:53
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Hi Rob, Good to see that you guys have started. We leave Cairo on Wed 3 June and should meet up with you guys somewhere around Gonder about 18th June. We'll all be on trhe same bikes so shouldn't miss each other.
Regards Jim Arthur. . .more
by Jim Arthur on June 01 2009, 11:23
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Craig. You look so hot in that outfit dude ;)
by gaby on June 04 2009, 12:18
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