A visit to the Fish Market in Maputo.
Maputo is the Capital of Mozambique and not the average place where you would spend your holiday. This country suffered a great deal as a result of war and political unrest in the past. Most holiday makers seek the unspoiled beaches up north, like Macaneta, that I wrote about some time ago. However with that in mind, there are some wonderful places to visit in Maputo and one of them is the fish market. This fish market is unique and I have never visited anything like this before. It was undoubtedly a unique experience!
Fishermen come to the market in the early evening with their catch. Fish and seafood is very cheap you can buy the best prawns. I kid you not! The prawns here in Mozambique are the best that I have ever had!
A unique experience but not for everyone.
Stall owners are very friendly and will clean and cook the fish for you. The seafood is cheap, delicious and the market is cheerful!
A visit to the fish market can be a scary experience if you are a first time visitor! Eager stall owners attack you like a swarm of bees. They mean no harm but this could be very intimidating. My girls got such a fright when they descended upon us. In fact if you ask them today what they remember about Maputo they will tell you the story of the fish market and how much they hated it.
We walked around and I took photos. People here like to pose for photos and sometimes they will walk up to you and ask for a photo. By this time the girls were clinging to my skirt and I decided it was time to go. They had seen enough.
A lesson to be learned.
There is a lesson to be learned in all of this. Travelling is not about fancy hotels (like the one were we were staying) and touristy places where you buy nice souvenirs. I could have shown them all the beautiful places in Maputo, the nice beaches and they could have gone home and said “I have seen Maputo. I have seen Mozambique” but did they experience it? Did they see the good and the bad?
This is one of the reasons why I am so passionate about travelling. An ordinary day turn into something extraordinary. I can still smell the fish, hear the people yelling and see how uncomfortable my girls were. Am I cruel for subjecting them to something like this? No! This is life and it is important to see life as it is. People work here to make a living.
How to get to the Fish Market in Maputo?
It is best to ask the hotel where you stay to arrange for a taxi. But if you are catching a taxi from the town ask the driver to take you down to the beach road, Avenida Marginal. After the large petrol station on the left (you’ll pass it if you’re coming from the center of town), turn left into Rua Palma and you’ll see the entrance on the right. You can’t miss all the people!
That fish market looks like ones here. And everything you described: fresh yet cheap fish, ready to cook and eat in the market, and aggressive fish vendors, haha. But I don't think Filipinos are THAT aggressive. :))Yes, you definitely did the right thing. Travelling is about experiencing the local atmosphere and mingling with local people. It's not going to another Starbucks on the other side of the world. Hotels can be like cocoons. They can isolate you too much from the spirit of the place. It pays to go out there. 🙂
I have seen the one in Seattle US which is always full of energy. I imagine so is this one. I would love to have the opportunity to photograph that area.I started following youhttp://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/04/blog-gets-new-name-were-given-award-and.html
I agree with AJ in that to travel is to experience as much as you can as you know you can't stay long.Beautiful red fish. One thing is your girls won't forget so that is a good thing.Great post NelietaKiss from A
Oh what a delight of fish and seafood to see…. The prawns are extra big! This is something different Nelieta not the usual type a traveller would do but definitely, I wish to be doing with my travels in the future…. Thanks for sharing…:)
as a missionary, i've always prayed to be assigned in africa… hmmm… but God brought me to north instead of the south… you are very right about fish markets… sometimes when i travel, my friends would often take me to the best places… but the best place for me is in the heart of the people… thanks for sharing your post… my dream is still alive in my heart… i would very much like to go to africa one day… 🙂
Thats a different experience :).Man these prawns looks big.Your are a different traveler coz you explore what local community people do!!
I think they will get more income from the Fish market
I think so too Jidhu! They sure do need it as this is for most people the only income.
Hi AJ, you capture it so nicely by saying "hotels can be like cocoons". I find it interesting when people call themselves travellers and say they have travelled the world, but never stepped outside their hotel…strange!I would love to read more about the Filipino fish markets. You want to write something?
Hi Jim, thank you for your visit and comment..oh and also the follow. This is paradise if you are into photography. The opportunities are endless 🙂
Hi A, the red fish was quite intriguing. I have never tasted that kind of fish before. It looked so beautiful I am not sure if I wanted to eat it..lol! Well, one thing is for sure, the memory of the fish market will stay with them forever!
Hi Jorie, Mozambique is known for the big prawns. They are really big and delicious. I remember eating prawns from Mozambique in South Africa and they were good. But the ones we had here were outstanding. I will write about that in another blog :)When you go to India I am sure you will be experiencing something extraordinary, Jorie!
Hi Melissa, I think our friends have got good intentions and want to make an impression. But sometimes it is the little things that make a lasting impression. I have dined at many fine restaurants over the years and most of them I cannot even remember…but this one, I will never forget.Great work you are doing Melissa, it must be taking you to some very interesting places. Keep the dream alive and who knows your next calling might just be taking you to your dream destination.
Hi Sheril, those prawns were big! If you are a prawn lover you would have had a whale of a time! Thanks for your comment, it is much appreciated.
I think to get the feel of a place you need to be close to the local people and not sit in a 5 star hotel. The market reminded me the markets in Goa. Thank you fro sharing Nelieta
I like what you said about traveling not being about the fancy hotels and the tourist attractions but instead about the experience…one's experience of the true culture of the place they are visiting. I don't get to travel a lot but when we do we always try to get to know the people that live in the area we go to a little bit and try to get as much of a perspective as we can about the true nature of the place we visit.
Hi Jessica, I think it is very important to experience the true culture. Sometimes it is small things like speaking to the people in the community or to eat at a local corner cafe. It is fun and you will find yourself looking at the world a little different 🙂
Hi Rimly, you are welcome! Judging by the response it looks like fish markets around the world are very similar. Glad you have enjoyed it!
Hi Rimly, you are welcome! Judging by the response it looks like fish markets around the world are very similar. Glad you have enjoyed it!
Hi A, the red fish was quite intriguing. I have never tasted that kind of fish before. It looked so beautiful I am not sure if I wanted to eat it..lol! Well, one thing is for sure, the memory of the fish market will stay with them forever!
Hi Jim, thank you for your visit and comment..oh and also the follow. This is paradise if you are into photography. The opportunities are endless 🙂
Hi AJ, you capture it so nicely by saying "hotels can be like cocoons". I find it interesting when people call themselves travellers and say they have travelled the world, but never stepped outside their hotel…strange!I would love to read more about the Filipino fish markets. You want to write something?
Hi Melissa, I think our friends have got good intentions and want to make an impression. But sometimes it is the little things that make a lasting impression. I have dined at many fine restaurants over the years and most of them I cannot even remember…but this one, I will never forget.Great work you are doing Melissa, it must be taking you to some very interesting places. Keep the dream alive and who knows your next calling might just be taking you to your dream destination.
I think so too Jidhu! They sure do need it as this is for most people the only income.
That fish market looks like ones here. And everything you described: fresh yet cheap fish, ready to cook and eat in the market, and aggressive fish vendors, haha. But I don't think Filipinos are THAT aggressive. :))Yes, you definitely did the right thing. Travelling is about experiencing the local atmosphere and mingling with local people. It's not going to another Starbucks on the other side of the world. Hotels can be like cocoons. They can isolate you too much from the spirit of the place. It pays to go out there. 🙂