HOME AGAIN
03 December 2009
ESA report from Mozambique Beach Safari

Dear Mozambique Beach Safari boogie people - ESA family!

Home again boasting suntanned skin in rainy Europe - and washing out the last pristine sand between the toes. But most important - full of fond memories created by a fantastic group of international people who came, saw and conquered.

14 to16NOV. Embarking on the adventure took us to three different worlds. Pilanesberg Safari Park with moderate temperature and mesmerizing wild life. The buffet at Kwa Maritane Lodge spoiled us rotten and almost made us stay longer. A perception that could have become reality when the bus broke down and time was limited to catch the flight to Vilanculos. We had the boys on their backs with flashlights underneath the bus and with a good portion of positive vibes we were on our way - an hour late.  LAM AIR was too impatient to wait for ESA passengers who had initially booked the entire plane and Gary, Larissa, Bea and Schmassi stayed behind in Joburg for one night to test the food and accomodation here. Along with Natascha, Bruno and Gaby - Angus and Nikki were put through their first tormenting period of loosing baggage. With a new boogie t-shirt and a good portion of patience they all made it until the clean knickers arrived two days later.

 

16 to 23NOV. Vilanculos - the coast of Mozambique. We actually scheduled the boogie to meet the cyclone. We also made sure there was no running or hot water in the majority of chalets. This to separate the weak from the die-hards. Bravissimo! You all pulled together in immaculate team building sessions....at the bar. How else would we have stayed up to watch the sunrise, catch up on lyrics to Edgars karaoke tunes, invent the 'modern tango' and replace poor craftmanship of bar shelves. 'MOZAMBIQUE IS MY COUNTRY'!  (if in doubt - ask Jennifer). But we skydived for two full days and Vilanculos locals could not get enough of tandem jumping...


  
photo - Petra Engwerda

23 to 28NOV. Bazaruto Island. Paradise. Tranquility. Squeaky sand. Blue water. Immaculate dropzone. Scrumptious food. 5 days of skydiving. The early bird loads saw the sun before it rose on the horizon... ESA thanks Bazaruto Lodge who went out of its way to accomodate the group in every way. Derick's sand trucks and jeeps where in constant motion transporting us to and from the airport and the landing areas. The bar stayed open too... Nikki retreived her luggage again - this time only after a few hours...!

ESA realizes there was much waiting time between some loads and that sitting it out was necessary. Had we just 10 more jumpers we could have kept the Caravan on a back to back. Thank you all for your patience and going with the flow.
ESA is particularly proud of all the lower experienced skydivers who challenged the new landing areas with its obstacles and stress factors. You all proved yourself worthy. No accidents. No close encounters. Next time we will simply move the windblades for Thierry......:)  Jeanne worked her way out of a malfunctioning canopy giving the locals the pleasure of finding the free bag and returning both items to the lodge.