Justin and I were able to take a weekend adventure up the coast of Mozambique while we were there last month. It was Justin’s 26th birthday and we were in much need of just “married time” so the coast seemed to be the best option. We went to a place called Tofo which is a small yet popular beach town. It was beyond beautiful. Clear waters, miles of beach, few people, and great weather! However, it would not be an adventure or blog worthy if everything went smoothly, which brings us to our last day at the beautiful beach…
It was our last day in Tofo so we where excited to do noting and just lay on the beach all day! Well, the day started off great, delicious breakfast with toast, homemade apricot cashew jam, coffee, fruit salad, ham and cheese omelet, and two fried eggs for me. Then we went to our usual spot to soak in the sun.
It is important to note that we had a two dogs following us around everywhere throughout our stay. It was kinda weird but we just said Katy (our teammate and avid animal lover) sent them there to protect us. They didn’t bother us and they kept the locals away who would go person to person selling things such as handmade bracelets, food, clothing, etc. So we didn’t mind the dogs too much. The only thing Justin didn’t like about them is that they would always lay in his spot if he would get up. I thought it was pretty funny! Okay back to the story…
As we are laying in our spot soaking in the sun a man walked up selling sea shells. The dogs immediately jumped up and started barking at the approaching man. Most normal salesmen would turn around a walk away admitting defeat, but not this sales man. He just kept walking up closer apparently intent on selling us seashells we didn’t want. Justin finally told the man we don’t want anything, but he continued coming forward. All the while the dogs are right beside us barking really loud. Then it became clear he no longer wanted to sell us seashells, instead he wanted to teach the dogs a lesson. The man finally stops, sits down his box of sea shells, and reaches in for one about the size of his hand. (the dogs are not charging him or anything they are just standing right beside us barking.) He begins charging the dogs swinging the heavy, yet beautiful seashell at the dogs. They backed up behind us seemingly scared but still barking. Then we realize that the man is about to throw this sharp heavy sea shell at the dogs, who are literally right beside us. Before I knew it he chucked a seashell at the dog, missed and hit Justin in the back. Up until this point we were both still laying on the ground trying to convince they guy just to walk away. We both jump up, Justin in pain and me just confused at what is happening. As Justin is yelling at the man he picks up another, slightly larger seashell, and tries another shot at the dogs. Of course he misses both dogs again and hit me in the hand. At this point my heart is racing and I’m still a little bit confused at what is going on. All this has just been over the span of about a minute. Justin is yelling at the man that these are not our dogs and that you don’t throw things at people. The man just keeps saying, “that dog, that dog, is always barking at me.” (jeeze i wonder why?) Finally the man understands two things: one, that Justin is pissed (probably after Justin picked up the seashell that hit him and threw it quite angrily into the woods as he continued to yell at the man) and two, that he has just failed to hit two dogs and instead hit two people with huge sharp sea shells. So he starts saying sorry friend, sorry friend. Justin keeps telling him to just leave. Finally he turns around, picks up his basket and strolls off down the beach to sell (or throw) seashells to other unexpecting tourists. So after he left, Justin and I are just standing there in disbelief with sand everywhere, and the main dog that started barking is no where to be found. (coward) So now, with my heart still racing, my hand throbbing and Justin’s back bleeding we decide to go back to the house, clean up and eat some lunch. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and laughing about how we got assaulted by sea shells down by the sea shore.
The seashell that was thrown at Tiffany as a reminder that even relaxing getaways hold a bit of adventure.
