It was another long drive day in order to cover several hundred kilometres to Nampula, but with fewer vehicles on the road since we had crossed the Zambezi, perhaps passing only a handful all day, we were able to dictate our own pace.The impressive drive was extremely scenic and a welcome change from that of the past couple of days. Dotted along the horizon, colossal granite monoliths rose from the forested plains like giant termite hills. Scattered sun showers appeared amongst the inselbergs as the soft afternoon light reflected on the glossy mounds creating a visual spectacular.We arrived in Nampula, the commercial centre of Northern Mozambique in late afternoon. The city was not unpleasant but typically unspectacular, and after checking into an average hotel in the centre of town headed out for dinner and drink. We sat on a balcony overlooking the street and were enthusiastically tended to by a guy who we assumed to be the manager. Unfortunately his enthusiasm did not extend to the kitchen, and although our meals were tasty when they finally arrived, we had been left famished in the meantime. Back in relative civilisation, we spent the following morning reacquainting ourselves with the internet at a stylish new business centre before we made our way the short distance to Ihla do Mozambique.