07-May-2006 -- Helen and Christiaan van der Merwe tell us about their visit to 21S 35E:

"We wanted to visit another, closer Confluence, but with the landmine problem still devastatingly real in Mozambique, it is not too wise to wander off the beaten track as that site was about 10 kilometres into the 'bush'.

So, we followed Mozambique's National Road EN1 north to get to this site. We live in Vilanculos, a seaside town that is the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago, the exotic island group east of Mozambique. Many pot holes, a few tattered villages and reckless truck drivers later, we got closer to our 'spot'.

We had to turn from the EN1 onto a road leading eastward towards the sea. The closest town being Nova Mambone, also known as the Prawn Capital of Mozambique. I can concur that the tiger prawns from this area must be the best in the world.

On the map the site seemed quite close to the road and with anticipation we saw the kilometres decrease on the GPS. The area is semi-tropical with Baobabs and Paw-paws, Coconut Palms, Bananas and Sugarcane. But we even saw corn and a small pine-apple plantation.

My brother and I just got into a nasty argument about the disadvantages of drinking too much juice, when my dad announced that we were almost on top of the Confluence.

The picnic food forgotten we stopped the car and got out. The Confluence was exactly next to the road. Dad could actually get a 0, 0 reading on the GPS. (For proof check our photos!)

Immediately there were a few local children surrounding the strange quartet of Europeans walking in circles. They were very interested but with our limited vocabulary of Chitswa it would have been impossible to explain to them the significance of this small patch of grass next to the road.

We grinned enthusiastically for the photos. The local children followed suit and with a wave and a 'ciao!' we were off..."