Café de leão

This might be the most fun coffee foam artwork that I've ever been presented with. Ali wanted to introduce me first thing to the Chief Park Warden of Maputo Special Reserve, the protected area closest to the city. We were recommended a cafe that is ludicrously decorated and out of step with everywhere else in the city. Plush velvet cushions, elaborate gold picture frames and the general ambience of a chi chi bistro in one of Paris' most expensive arrondissements. For conservationists usually more comfortable scrabbling around in the outdoors, it was a comical place for a coffee.

The day was as full as the norm, but by the end I felt marginally more on top of things than in previous days, even if the to do list doesn't reflect this. Ali and I are dividing responsibilities to cover all our priorities during the weeks we're together, so I headed for a meeting followed by a call while she wangled a last-minute invitation to a drinks event at the Swedish Ambassador's house.

A modicum of extra progress made on securing longer-term accommodation, obtaining the correct employment paperwork and organising upcoming field travels. Lentamente, lentamente.