Hence the name: vista celestial means heavenly view in Portuguese A spectacularly situated large, 9-sleeper, airy, spacious house, beautifully constructed by Etna and Renaud Booysen (who lectures in plumbing, gas and electrical at a Pretoria technikon). Sturdily-built from ironwood (Simbiri), local materials and grass thatch, it has survived a few cyclones unscathed. It sits atop a palm tree-lined
dune, reached via the Rua da Farol (Lighthouse Road), a 4x4 road through pretty local homesteads that turns off from the main road, just before Barra. The views from this property on the front of the dune over Barra Beach, Mozambique are heavenly (celestial in Portuguese). Stargazing at night on the front soft-sand "beach" on the dune, braai and deckchair area of the clear Mozambican night is breathtaking. In the day, the aqua blue tropical waters, main reef just a few hundred metres off the beach, fishing boats directly below, Inhambane estuary and mouth and the country's endless coast stretching into the haze to the north are as spectacular. Placed high on the dune, but still just 170-metres walk down a path to the beach, the house enjoys sea breezes that make it surprisingly cool and with few mosquitos, even in mid-summer. A central high-roof, open plan living area and excellently-kitted kitchen (including quality cutlery, glasses, pans and pots, microwave, fridge, ice machine (!), kettle, Moulinex blender, wall-mounted mixer, built-in gas stove and cupboards) includes a Rhodesian teak bar counter with bar stools. The water is filtered and crystal tasty and drinkable. The kitchen opens to the long front, wraparound veranda with amazing views - each point of this house has remarkable views - with front breakfast tables and benches, and comfortable low ironwood chairs. The ironwood floors add to the cooling effect, including in the two spacious, elegant front-facing main rooms on either side of the kitchen/living area, from which one can enjoy the view of the beach through French doors without leaving one's double/queen bed, each of which has a non-claustrophobic "rail-design" mosquito net. Each main room has walk-in cupboard and large en-suite bathroom (shower, basin, toilet). The spacious, airy upstairs rooms (reached by outside staircases) have spectacular side views of their own from their balconies - one has two single beds which can be joined, the other three singles. This house is our dream home we have recently acquired and feel is too much of a hidden gem to have kept to ourselves. Please enjoy it - it is beautiful and spectacularly located. PLEASE NOTE THOUGH: One important request and house rule we make is that guests burn only coal fires, with the grid down, in the braai. Absolutely no wood fires! Both the cottage and house are made of wood, reeds and grass, and an ember can burn them down. We thank you for your understanding on this. NO SMOKING inside and be careful, of course, with any flammables. ALSO - please no BLEACH, DISINFECTANT or foreign objects in the toilets - it can kill the animals in the septic tank and cause a huge problem. WE THANK YOU! Along the Lighthouse Road (Rua da Farol), a 4x4 road turning off the main road just before you reach Barra and running along the back, top of the dune next to the beach to the old, famous lighthouse at the point, which is about a 600-metre walk away on the beach or road. There are restaurants to sample all along the the beach below. Local fish, prawn, calamari, clam and crayfish catches will be brought to your door to negotiate a sale, and Sarah can daily bring fresh fruit, vegetables and Portuguese rolls. It's about a 150m walk down a path to the beach. There is roofed parking for two cars. For those without 4x4s, there is a rental service in both Tofo (20km) away, and Barra. Contact us for pricing and details. There is also a local shuttle service (Ernesto, who has a Mahindra 4x4) either from the airport (about 1500 Mets / R300). For 2x4 drivers, Ernesto will also allow you to park at his house near the "Bar Babalaza" turnoff to Tofo, and shuttle you to our house/cottage. Contact us for his details. Given this, and the fact you can have seafood, fruit and vegetables delievered, and other necessities bought at the small local shops on the 4x4 road in walking distance a few hundred metres away, one can actually take the shuttle to the house and be self-sufficient there even if you aren't a 4x4 driver. Our minority shareholder Luis and his family will welcome you, briefly clean each day (2-3 hours in the morning, at an arranged time of your choice), give advice on Dhow trips to Pansy Island in the Inhambane estuary, where to shop, who to buy seafood from, and make your stay more comfortable. Should you require more than the quick daily clean-up, or want your clothes washed (which is not included), negotiate a further price with Luis or your cleaner (usually Beatriz or Veronika). So you are not caught unawares the electricity is on pay-metre, and you are asked to pay 1500 Mets (about R300) on arrival to top it up, and again should it run out. Our Rates for 2021 are (*based on South African school holidays):
Dec/Jan Holidays - R2700 per night
April Holidays - R2500 per night
June/July Holidays - R2300 per night
September/October Holidays - R2000 per night
Low season - R1000 per night
Find the dates for SA school holidays at this link:
https://www.gov.za/about-sa/school-calendar
On the property we also have a very cute, comfortable, 2-person cottage for rent, under the Airbnb listing "Chalé Vista Celestial". Search for the page, or if you can't find it, DM message, WhatsApp or call us on the contact details found on this page to enquire about it. Just by the way, a family of squirrels may visit. They're extremely cute and harmless, but perhaps watch your fruit, vegetables and cashews!
