Mundo Lusófono

Lusophone World.

A pre-work stroll to Avenida 10 de Novembro with its row of coconut trees and sun-baked benches. The navy was conducting training exercises in Maputo Bay, in front of this dilapidated building that marks the ferry terminal for Inhaca Island.

I have holidays coming up so by afternoon I was en route to Portugal where I will meet family in a few days. The check-in agent made a meal of having to evidence my return ticket for when I leave Portugal. I suspect this is another welcome Brexit benefit for British passport holders.

I am transiting through Luanda in Angola, on the way to Portugal. The last time I was here was in the days before the Covid pandemic shut down global travel. As we arrived from Maputo at that time we were all funnelled into lines to fill in various forms about medical history. We all thought it was over-excessive at the time. We knew nothing.

I had to indulge in açaí at Luanda airport after spotting a stall. A huge mound was served with pineapple, granola and goji berries, which bucked the trend of corporate gouging and shoddy customer service. Another reason to appreciate the lusophone world.