St. Patricks Day in Indonesia

St. Patricks Day in Indonesia Two Irish. Two Saffer. Two Ozzie. Six kids from the Channel Islands. A few more scragglers. And a girl. Lucky, the agent. Indonesia. Hankering to get to Desert Point…winter, 2003. “$250 Get’s you Desert Point…one week on beeeg boat. All foood. All driiink.”, goes Lucky. “Whoohoo!”, go me and Roosta. … Read more

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The most dangerous cops in the world

The most dangerous cops in the world

Are those that are in it for the money. And here in good old Mozam, that’s how it all works. Not to say that everyone in the force in 3rd world fascist Mozam is corrupt. But just get on the wrong side of our boys in grey or green or blue or purple, and see what happens.
A few examples…
All of a sudden, without warning, the main road into the market and the beach area at Praia do Tofo, became a one way – out. And so, trusting their GPS’s or experience of coming to Tofo before, many an unsuspecting tourist or expat came off their ultra long journey – only to be stopped by police, for coming down the centuries old main drag – the wrong way. So the force approach with a certain amount of  vehemence at the outset (the aggression comes later). The fine is nominal, usually starting at about 10 000 Mets (R3500), and if you keep your wits about you and play along, you can get away with 1000 mets or so. Straight into the pockets of the diligent law enforcers. But if you argue without serious substance behind your argument…it’s a short walk to Casa de Branco (Jail), until you pay. Try it.

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Angola fish stories

Angola fish stories

As this report in from Marc Lange demonstrates, the fishing in Angola is WILD…

“Basically you fish with very thick hand line and for the rainbow runner and rockcod you got to chum when the vessel does crew change with the Billy Pew ( big basket ) or doing back loading which is when they load drill strings and containers onto the vessel.  These fish live around the rig and we see them when doing the work diving.

For the tuna you use jigs, they are big eye and the one diver Shaun Swanevelder got one of about 40kg. We catch so many we hate them after awhile. They not as kiff as the dorado for eating.

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Angola fish stories…Marc Lange hoists a bull of a Dorado.

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The real fishermen…of Tofo

The real fishermen…of Tofo We got out, through the mouth of the Inhambane Estuary, and aimed straight into the 30 knot southerly. Charter for the day – Guy and his two sons were so keen, they chose to launch this rough day. 2m Swells left 2m holes and as we got to the first reef, … Read more

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A Lucky Blessing…

A “Lucky Blessing” and a dream come true – Theo Erasmus, Leon Fourie, Bloemfontein South Africa (Version 1 =  3 Jan 2012) It has always been a dream of mine to catch a marlin; actually it goes back much further than that. It has always been a dream of my father to catch a marlin. … Read more

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