We found our way to the Lighthouse of Fountains like we did 6 years ago. Zimba dug through hot soft sand and tackled the last few kilometers of our journey. We finally made it to our destination, the campground next to the ‘Farol do Barra’.

Glass-clear waters rolled over shallow reefs, wave after wave, time after time. It doesn’t get more tranquil than this. Not for now.

Overlooking the horizon of the Indian Ocean, sprays of fountains lined the horizon. Lots of fountains. And a few moments later, a huge body tailed out of the waters. Only to submerge with a big splash. Followed by a tail slap on the water’s surface. It is a sight, I just never can get enough of. Humpback Whales! They are migrating further north to warmer and calmer waters. It’s the whaling season, shooting with camera only.

‘The Farol de Barra’ is nestled within dunes and pine trees on the northern tip of the Inhambane Peninsula.

I missed the migrating whales last time when I camped at this very same spot. Nothing much had changed as the office and abolition blocks were still in shambles, no worse than before.

But just as well, there was no one else here. That’s why I came back.

Its unique setting and the opportunity to set up camp right next to a lighthouse is a major draw card for me.

There aren’t many places in the world where I sleep under the rotating lights of this lighthouse. Round and round it goes, 6 beams in slow motion.

The stars shine brightly in the distance, what else do I need?

Zimba looks fabulous set up right next to the tower.

From up the air, what a combination.

Two things have changed drastically in this area from what I remember. The high tide line pushes more and more inland, exposed to nature’s wild weather.

Yet, more and more holiday houses and lodges are built along the shores of the bay. Trees that prevent, or at least slow the erosion down had been chopped and used to build these very same houses.

The trees that are still standing, I don’t know how, create a bizarre twist of roots.

Leaving much room for my imagination. Nature is amazing.

The foreshore is stacked with human-made barriers, trying to keep nature at bay. Well, good luck with that.

Some buildings run out of funding and are left to nature’s devices. It feels like a purpose-built ghost town by the bay.

Others are built too close to the high tide line, leaving not much room in case of an extreme natural event.

Global warming? What is global warming?

Locals are pushed more and more inland as communities struggle to survive within their now unnatural habitat. Well, it’s only downhill from here.

There are more lodges than tourists here at the moment.

The locals know how to entertain themselves. I miss playing football.

Fishing plays a big part here as well. Sunsets yield more success.

At least for my camera as the golden sunshine sets over the bay.

I was hoping for the gusty winds to settle so that I could take Rick to the air and film the migratory humpback whales.

Some were spotted close to the shoreline, splashing and slapping their fins. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

But just being here and enjoying the tranquility of the Barra region is all that I wanted.

Young Orlando showed up on my doorstep one morning. He made the two-hour journey to get here and showcase his bags of tricks, handcrafted by family members. Desperate times. My purchase made his day.