Beira is the second largest city in Mozambique. It lies in the central region of the country in Sofala Province, where the Pungue River meets the Indian Ocean. Beira had a population of 412,588 in 1997, which grew to an estimated 546,000 in 2006. It holds the regionally-significant Port of Beira which acts as a gateway for both the central interior portion of the country as well as the land-locked nations of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. Beira was originally developed by the Portuguese Mozambique Company in the 19th century, and directly developed by the Portuguese colonial government from 1947 until Mozambique gained its independence from Portugal in 1975. [Source: Wikipedia]

My time in Beira as a missionary for the LDS church was a wonderful experience. The beauty of Beira scenery is only outdone by the goodness of its people. Never in my life have I been in a friendlier place. Life in Beira is simple and modest but so pleasant.  I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite thing in Beira. Sunsets on the beach, the sweet scented sea breeze down the palm-lined avenidas,  chatting with the avos in the market, savoring an entire fried chicken with piri piri sauce at the Churasqueira,  the Beira experience is like no other. I anxiously look forward to the day I am able to return to that humble, but magnificent city.