January 20 – On the Way to Benguela
Good day. January 20th. The next two days are shaped by a reservation I have near Benguela at the Flow Hotel. I need a reliable Wi-Fi connection because I have a commitment to join a conference in the middle of the night with the Wasser district. That means I should comfortably reach Benguela within two days.
Zumbi is my planned stop for today — somewhere between 200 to 300 kilometers is a comfortable driving range, depending on road conditions.
Leaving Kwanza Lodge
It was time to leave Kwanza Lodge, which was a bit unfortunate — I could easily have stayed a few more days. Shortly after reaching the main road, there was a toll booth. The fee was 500 kwanzas, roughly 50 euro cents, which was very reasonable.
Just before crossing the river, I spotted something special — a monkey right along the roadside. It was the first time I had seen a monkey outside of a reserve. It appeared relaxed and fairly large, probably about three feet tall or even taller when standing upright. That was a fun and unexpected moment.
Easy Driving and Open Roads
The roads were quite manageable. Not perfect, but good enough. The key is to watch the trucks carefully and only overtake when it’s safe. Sometimes the trucks even overtake me, since I’m not rushing. My average speed is around 70 kilometers per hour, steady and comfortable.
Arrival in Sumbe
I made it to Sumbe without having booked accommodation in advance. I found a place charging 25,000 kwanzas per night, including breakfast, which was very reasonable. I took it immediately.
There was another place I had read about just four blocks away — the Aurelio Resort — so I walked over to check it out. It was right on the water, whereas my hotel, Hotel Mar e Sol, was not. However, Hotel Mar e Sol had a good restaurant, which was a plus.
Fresh Fish by the Water
Since it’s a coastal town with active fishing, fish was naturally the best choice for dinner. The meal was perfect — exactly what you’d hope for when staying by the ocean.
Out of curiosity, I checked the rate at the Aurelio Resort. Being beachfront and offering a swimming pool, it came at 65,000 kwanzas per night — about two and a half times more than what I was paying. I definitely made the right choice.
Evening Walk Along the Beach
Later, I walked along the beach and stopped at Restaurante Mar Espresso for a drink and some coffee. It was a relaxing setting and a pleasant way to end the day.
A Grand Day Overall
All in all, it was a wonderful and relaxed day.
Tomorrow, on to Benguela. Thanks for coming along.
