t’s rather chilly and still dark
in Cape Town as I head to the
airport. The cold makes it difficult
to imagine that, in just a matter
of hours, I’ll be whipping out my
SPF50 and swapping my jeans for
shorts at Azura Benguerra Island in
Mozambique, where the Marie Claire
team will be producing three fashion
editorials over three days.
The sun is up by the time we’ve
changed planes in Johannesburg and
Nelspruit, and soon we’re presented
with the most incredible view of the
unspoiled white sand and clear, blue
waters of the Mozambique coast.
An Azura representative drives us from the airport
through the coastal town of Vilanculos to the beach.
Most of us are in long pants from the flight, but are
more than happy to get them wet as we wade through
knee-deep water and clamber into the boat that will
take us to our final destination.
Benguerra is the second-largest island in the Bazaruto
Archipelago. It’s 25 minutes off the coast of Vilanculos
(provided you don’t stop for dolphin spotting), so the
WhatsApp group we’ve been using to co-ordinate details
for the shoot is aptly named ‘Living la Vilanculos’.
I’m in complete awe as we arrive – the pictures I’ve
seen don’t do this island justice. We hop off the boat and
receive palm-leaf leis and a warm welcome from the staff,
including Faizel, who seems to know all of our names
even before we introduce ourselves. We’re led out of the
scorching sun and into a bar cooled by the ocean breeze.
While sipping on Azura’s signature iced tea we are
introduced to Raul and Pedro, our designated hosts.
Since we have only three days to complete three shoots,
we get right down to it. Faizel talks us through a list of
possible locations then, while the rest of the crew settles
in, a few of us go on a recce before sunset.
Though at first glance all you take in is sand and sea,
Azura is home to 20 beachfront villas tucked away amid
indigenous trees and bushes. Just a few steps from the
beach, the villas have been painstakingly created to offer
guests their own private sanctuary, a place to feel one with
the environment. Each villa has its own private plunge
or infinity pool, private deck, beachside loungers (from
which to watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand), and
an outdoor shower (a must at night, beneath the stars).
The most impressive of these is the Presidential Villa.
With three bedrooms, a massive deck, a 16m infinity pool,
a Jacuzzi, a TV lounge and a lofty treehouse deck, it’s
perfect for family stays.
To my delight, I find out I’ll be sharing Villa Amizade
with friend and photographer Niquita – fitting, seeing
travel
118 MARIECLAIRE.CO.ZA JAN/FEB 2018