Mucumbli

Our adventure to Sao Tome continued with a short stay in Neves at Mucumbli. The rooms overlook the ocean through dense forest visited by love birds, grey parrots, sunbirds and many more, early in the morning. There was even a daily walk by of residential donkeys and their foal. In darkness (in all places), watch out for large land crabs scampering around. I even found one in my drying out clothes, halfway up a door. We went on an organised guided walk into the rainforest to a waterfall along an aqueduct. Even with advance warning from our tour operator, we were all taken back just how difficult this walk was as you need to roll up your trousers and wade through water up to your knees in total darkness through two tunnels for 100 - 400 m!! Rewarding and fun if you are prepared with beach shoes and/or a change of footwear. Another bird watching walk was great hearing owls, rollers, seeing weavers, kingfishers and bishops (I'd never heard of, or seen these before). The rooms were fitted with fans, no AC, with large beds, lovely furnishings, plenty of space and a balcony. The bathroom was beautifully fitted with a shower over a stone floor. The bungalows were so well positioned, you had the feeling of being alone in the middle of the forest. The restaurant served up a reasonable breakfast, table service. Evening meals were tasty using local sourced ingredients and the bar provided a good range of drinks and wines. I thoroughly enjoyed grilled octopus - the best I ever tasted but having tried sea snails, will not need to try these ever again!