Scenes of village life
Jackie Strong, Client.
Following a small plane journey, we arrived on Ibo Island.
Our accommodation in what had been a colonial house with meals on an upstairs terrace facing the setting sun over the Indian Ocean provided a beautiful contrast to the bush. We took an historical tour of the adjacent small town which had been at various times under Arab, Portuguese, German and British jurisdiction, kayaked across the bay to extensive mangrove swamps (we were so slow getting there that there was hardly time to explore the interesting bird life!) and took a day trip on a dhow.
The latter took us to a neighbouring island where there was a temporary fishing camp. We were received with great courtesy and a long walk along the beach in the blazing midday sun, under the guidance of the village headman, took us to Vasco de Gama's old cottage and a family catching and drying fish. Scenes of village life - washing pots in the sea, fishing with a drag net, poling mokora filled with the morning's catch and looking after children, unfolded before us.
Lunch on the beach was then followed by a smooth journey home under sail. And, oh! those African sunsets.
