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The sea at Bara

Here's the sea at Barra. The water can vary during the day -- typically like a mill pond in the morning before livening up later in the day. Conditions also vary at different points along the beach. Close to the reef, at the lighthouse, and also adjacent to Barra Lodge, the surf can get quite strong.  People even get their surfboards out  if the swell is particularly lively.

Other parts of the beach are soft and gentle -- perfect for toddlers to splash about it.









 

Kaya MJ -- 2 beds with large living area

Here's our holiday home, Kaya MJ. You can see the large deck, which leads to the main living area. The kitchen is to the right in the photo. 





















View of Kaya MJ from the beach




















Here's Kaya MJ from the beach at Barra -- our house is in the centre, at the back of this well-kept group of about eight holiday homes.

You might just be able to make out the water tower above our roof at the back. Fresh, clean water is pumped from our own well, a bit further down the beach. I've no idea how it works, but apparently deep underground the sand acts as a filter of seawater and the result is mineral-quality water.

Both locals and regular visitors to Barra drink the water straight. We, being soft Europeans, drink bottled water, but use the well water for cooking and bathing.










View towards the sea













Here's the view of the sea from Kaya MJ, looking down the dune. It's about 150 metres or so down to the beach along a sandy path that leads through these houses. It's then another 100 metres to the water's edge -- depending on the tide, of course.

Through August, September and October, humpback whales use the sea directly in front of the house as a breeding ground. You can see them spouting very clearly -- or go out in a boat and see them up close. There's an old pair of binoculars and a telescope at the house to use.





Sunset over Barra

Here's the sun going down to the west of Barra. The snap is taken from a quiet, chilled bar at the lighthouse, at the east end of the beach.
It may sound odd, but this type of sunset scene is quite rare in Mozambique for the simple reason that most of the beaches are east  or south-east facing.  The sun usually sets overland, behind your head.  
Barra, however, is north-facing and out on a peninsular, meaning you get dramatic sunrises and beautiful sunsets.
(Note to confused Europeans:  this is the southern hemisphere.)


Entrance to Kaya MJ












Here's a closer shot of the front of the house. You can see how it is constructed -- ironwood beams set the structure, with the walls made of tightly bound bundles of reeds. The roof is made from palm leaves.

The house was built in 1999.

The decking area is eight metres square -- so there's lots of room for dining, lounging around, lying on the hammock, etc.

The main living area is eight metres by five metres, with a couple of sofas and also a pool table.


















Two en suite shower rooms












There are two good size en suite toilet/shower rooms, fully plumbed with hot water.

There are proper toilets!  But do please remember that we have septic tank, so don't put any thing other than paper down the pan.

As mentioned earlier, water is pumped from a well and then stored temporarily in a water tower behind the house.














Main bedroom -- with kingsize double






There are two large bedrooms, which each about four by four metres square. In one we have a king sized pocket-sprung bed -- the very best bed we could buy in Maputo.  (We sleep on a top quality mattress at home and hate going on holiday and finding that we have to sleep on some bed made from old tyres.)

In the second bedroom there are three single beds -- again, sprung mattresses rather than the uncomfortable foam affairs that you will find in almost all other Mozambique holiday homes/lodges, etc.

We also have large, airy mosquito nets that are made from unbleached cotton rather than the common acrylic versions. These were rather expensive (imported from Australia) so do please be careful not to rip them.

The water is crystal clear and safe





The water is just gorgeous  at Barra. It is completely safe for bathing and it is incredibly warm -- typically 25 degrees or higher. The sea is clear and the sea bottom is also completely clear -- other than areas very close to the Lighthouse reef, where there are plenty of fish.

So there's nothing nasty for kids to step on, such as the razor clams common around the Bazaruto beaches.











Large covered deck area





The deck is large and covered -- eight metres square. There are loungers, chairs and a good-sized table. We also have two barbecues -- one regular charcoal BBQ and also a big gas affair, with umpteen settings, hot plates, etc. (Do be aware of the fire hazard.) 



















Fishermen -- and their wives
The beach at Barra is about three miles long.  Plenty of the locals fish from it, either from dowhs or spearfishing.  Here a group of women have just taken a catch off a dowh. Obviously, you can buy fish directly from the locals -- they will also prepare it for you.




















A pub-standard pool table
Yes, we've got a pool table -- and it's a top quality specimen.  It is a full-blown pub-type table, with plenty of cues, two sets of balls, chalk, tips, etc.  I'm not quite sure how the previous owner, Francoiseohan, managed to get it there.  But he did and it is in perfect condition.



















House warming at Kaya MJ
Alongside Kaya MJ is a small village, consisting of about 10 huts, which house scores of children.  We had a house-warming do when we bought our place. Every last cake, crisps and can of fizz went. It was probably the best party we've ever hosted.



















Sitting room
Here's part of the sitting room, which again is a good size, with a couple of sofas and the like. It's about five by eight metres.  The two bedrooms are directly off this room, with the  en suites at the back of the house.


















George and Vasco
And here's George (on the left) and Vasco.  George looks after the place during the day and will do various chores for you such as the washing up, sweeping up, maintenance, etc. He will also get his friends, Anna, to cook and do the laundry if you would like.

Vasco is our night watchman. He's a seriously popular guy locally and there's a sense that "no one messes with Vasco's place"































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