Welcome to the Hotel Santa Carolina,

You can check out but you can never leave.

These were Joaquim Alves’s thoughts way before The Eagles soared over California. And with good reasons.

He had three vital elements to build this luxurious Hotel on Santa Catarina Island.

Money, time, and the perfect location.

The Bazaruto Archipelago was well known for its outstanding fishing grounds. The biggest ever Black Marlin was caught here, weighing a whopping 1050 pounds. The biggest one to date. Unfortunately, catch and release wasn’t common practice back then, which also decimated the Marlin population on a huge scale. The Old Man didn’t sea.

Building this prunk hotel took dedication over decades and would have cost a golden penny. All materials needed to be brought over from the mainland. 10 points for effort.

The serene location also lured well-known artists like Bob Dylan. It was a tourist attraction for everyone who could afford it. All was flourishing, until the Portuguese were told to leave Mozambique within two days. Vamanos. The hotel was kept in service for two more years, hoping Señor Alves would return. Then funding ran out and nature took over.

Knowing that this building is 70 years old and left to corrosion and nature’s elements, it is still in very good shape.

Gunvor, Luis, and I joined Captain Etienne on a daily excursion, stepping back in time.

Gunvor and Luis had personal reasons to visit.

Their neighbor, who is now 92 years of age, came to visit this island many times, back in the day.

It was a relaxing day out, snorkeling in glass-clear waters.

Turtles popped up here and there. They seemed to be used to our human trafficking. These protected reefs hold many varieties of reef fish, big and small. A school of trevally, big boys, cruised by as we set anchor.

Spanish mackerel positioning over reefs to prey on bypassing baitfish. Where is my fishing rod?

Naturally, fish was on the menu for a relaxing lunch on the beach.

Thank you, Captain, let’s Rock’nRolla back home.

Catarina Island is the northernmost and the smallest island in the Bazaruto Archipelago. These islands were created by sandy currents, streaming south in the Indian Ocean of the Benguela Current. Over time, the sand was deposited on rocky outcrops and so the islands grew. The shallow waters create huge underwater surges by tidal activity, similar to sandstorms in the Sahara Desert. It is these minerals that attract baitfish to feed in masses. Big fish are never far.

Vilankulus is the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago and attracts visitors from near and far.

I revisited this buzzing town for a few reasons, it was time for me and Zimba to recharge again. Baobab Backpackers offers camping and chalet-style accommodation.

The times are changing. Travel times are changing.

Instead of listening to groovy life music by the beach, all the other guests were busy with their mobile phones, one way or another.

How much more boring do we get? I was bored, not being on my tablet.

Nao mais comunicação. Nao intendeo.

I keep thinking that I am too old for this. But in fact, the young ones are older than me.

I took some outstanding photos of people and dhows at sunrise last time I was here.

This time, I wanted to capture this scene with my drone. No can do.

The nearby airport restricted flights for aviation reasons. Buggar.

Imagine what a video would look this foggy morning. That’s when OM-D comes into play.

Foggy mornings delayed the sunrise for an hour or so. But added an eerie scene to the bay.

Fishermen over the horizon.

Hooray for fresh roasted coffee at sunrise.