Living in Angola

Interests

This section provides an alphabetical listing by category of extracurricular activities, churches, museums, and what the weather is like.

Aerobics/ weights:

Aerobics - Swedish compound, across the road from the Embassy. A Brazilian lady with lots of spunk and energy leads the group. Hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 1930-2030. Cost is $5 per session or $30 per month.
Fitness - Weightlifting and aerobics, as well as martial arts classes. Located behind the Anangola School (green) building on Rua Massangano, it is well-liked by Angolans. Prices are reasonable for Africa.
Water aerobics - Alvalade swimming pool. Several different evening classes available. Tel. 323-937/323-219.

Beaches:

Beaches are a popular diversion and are accessible by car or Embassy boat.

Ilha de Luanda - ocean side. Polluted, but there are nice restaurants with umbrellas for sunbathing. Keep a watchful eye on your possessions.
Ilha de Mussulu - quiet, beautiful beaches, especially on the ocean side. The current can be very strong on the ocean side, beware.

Boating:

Clube Naval - Ilha de Luanda, membership required. Boat moorings, storage, bar and restaurant.
"Embarcador"- Below Costa do Sol Hotel. From Samba Rd, turn right just after the Exxon compound, (a community that resembles Ventura, CA). At bottom of hill turn left in front of Arco Iris Restaurant ("rainbow").

Churches:

Igreja Adventista do Septimo Dia (Seventh Day Adventist) - Saturday mornings from 0930.
Igreja do Carmo - Catholic church offering Sunday masses at 0730, 0930, and 1100, plus Saturday evening mass in English at 1700. One of the oldest churches in town, located on the same street with the Predio Soleil apartment building.
Igreja Unida Metodista - Sunday services offered at 0700, 0930, and 1130. Located off the Largo do Kinaxixe.
International Christian Fellowship - 1st Baptist Church. Sunday morning service in English 0800-0930.
St. Joaquim - Catholic church located between Rua Gueffilhero Maguezo and Rua Doctor Antonio Agostinho Neto. Mass in French each Sunday at 1000 (no English).
Sagrada Familia - Catholic church in Alvalade, a major landmark of the area. Sunday mass from 0700 (no English).

Clubs:

AMIZADE - An international charity club formed by the wives of diplomats and other expatriates. Offers various programs and holds functions to raise funds for charitable organizations, including a wonderful Christmas Bazaar held yearly. $125 per year.
T.I.C.A. - The International Community of Angola. An international club that encourages social interaction among its diverse community. This club offers a variety of cultural programs and encourages fund raising for charitable organizations. Holds monthly forums with guest speakers from different community organizations. $100 membership for life.
Viking Club - Scandanavian, Rua Presidente Marien N'Geuabi, # 118. Bar, library, open to members with an ID card or invitation. Open on Thursday nights, nice for conversation and a drink with friends and contacts.

Fishing:

Sport fishing is popular and the waters just off the coast are teeming with many varieties of game fish.

Golf:

There is a 9-hole golf course about 15 km south of Luanda. It is all packed dirt and there is no clubhouse. Contact Elf Exploration Angola, Tel. 341-253/343-112.

Historical Monuments:

Igreja de Jesus - A beautiful Cathedral. Located on the Largo do Palácio, near the Ministry of Defense in the Cidade Alta. Built in 1636, it is in the Baroque style. It is said to be the best preserved. Though the original roof was destroyed by fire, it has been replaced. The altar, which was made in Italy and is of oriental marble, is carved with many different symbolic figures. The church was renovated in 1953, Classical music concerts are held here periodically, consult the Jornal de Angola.
Igreja da Nazaré - Located on the Praça do Ambiente at the bottom of the "Serpentine" from the Embassy. A pretty church, it was originally built for Brazilians in 1664 as a Chapel, but later became a Catholic Church. It is a favorite of women and orphans and the grounds are scenes of much activity on the weekends. There is a beautiful altar made of Italian pink marble.
Igreja da Nossa Senhora do Cabo - Located on the Ilha de Luanda, it was the first Portuguese church to have been built in Angola. Constructed in 1575 for a small community of Portuguese who lived on the Ilha before the city was established. The church was rebuilt in 1669.
Igreja da Nossa Senhora dos Remédios - Built in 1679, this church is located on Rua Rainha Ginga, and was recently renovated. A Catholic Church with two twin towers, constructed in the typical 17th century style. This church is a prominent and interesting site; many postcards feature this church. Interestingly enough, the building to its left is an old bombed out hotel, which was once the nicest hotel in Luanda. It was bombed when the civil war resumed in 1992, because UNITA leaders were using it as a temporary headquarters.
"Monumentos das Heroínas" - A bronze sculpture immortalizing the participation of women in the fight for independence from Portugal. Located on a circle on Rua Ho Chi Minh.

Markets:

Mercado do Kinaxixe - Located just down the road from the Embassy, it is one of the prominent landmarks of the city. All types of fruits and vegetables can be found in this market, without the hassle of the others. Attached to the outside of the building is a nice bakery and café.
Mercado de São Paulo - Located on Largo de S. Paulo, it is a relatively large market, open air, with a warehouse roof. There is a wide variety of products sold, from household, fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, to clothes and watches.

Museums:

Museu Nacional de Antropologia - Rua Frederich Engels #59/61. Hours are Monday-Friday 0900-1230/1440-1700.
Museu Nacional de História Natural - Rua George Dimitrov; Tel. 334-054/55. Hours are Monday-Friday 0900-1200.
Centro de Documentaçao História - Hours are Monday-Thursday 0830-1200/1430-1730, Friday 0830-1200/1430-1600.
Museu da Escravatura (slave museum) - 20 Km. south of Luanda. Hours are weekends only, 0900-1700.
Museu Central das Forças Armadas (the Fort) - Fortaleza de S. Miguel, built in the 1500s, quite interesting to visit, beautiful traditional Portuguese tiling on walls, statues of famous military men, cannons, etc. It overlooks the harbor with beautiful views out to sea and of the city. Open everyday, guard at the gate will let people inside to park. There is a resident guide who can give a tour, he can speak some English as well. He is usually there every day around 1100 AM. It is nice to give the guide and guard a small fee for their services. Photography is permitted.

Mussulo:

'Onjango' Mussulo Turismo Resort owned by Jembas. It is necessary to book in advance. On Sundays they provide a lunch buffet that is quite nice, but pricy. Also available are overnight huts for rent (about $200 a night). Transport available from the jetty at the Embarcador or Clube Naval on the Ilha Luanda. This is a nice get away on the weekends or for day trips. Mussulo has long sandy beaches that are quiet and peaceful.

Running/Walking:

"Fun run" - Each Friday evening at 1730, there is a fun run/walk from the back of the British Embassy of about 5 km. People usually come back after and socialize on the deck of the British Embassy, which has a nice view of the water and sunset. Contact someone from the British Embassy for more information.
"Hash house harriers" - Informal group of expatriates who gather for a run or walk. They meet every other Saturday at a different location. They run through the local neighborhoods and then enjoy a beverage or two after that. Annual membership fee. Contact someone at the British Embassy for more information.
Marginal - A 1 km run along the bay. Very pleasant in the evenings.
Miramar - Nice paved sidewalk along the cliff in front of the Embassy. Many Angolans use this area for exercise, particularly running up and down the steep steps of the cliff. Be careful of of any valuables you may carry with you.

Swimming:

Alvalade - There is an Olympic sized swimming pool open to the public. Water aerobics classes and small restaurant available. Some Angolans come here for dinner on the weekend, there is a nice relaxed atmosphere with a relatively nice menu. Tel. 323-937/323-219.

Squash:

Squash can be played at the Elf Club and British Embassy, by invitation only.

Tennis:

Comboio - One court is available near the Embassy in Miramar, at the Comboio (train) park. Best to reserve in advance, if possible.
Coqueiros - A club with four courts. There is a membership fee for joining of $400 with an annual fee of $60. It costs $10 per hour for non-members. Located at the top of Rua Manuel Caldeira from the Hotel Continental.

Touch Rugby:

The Luanda Barbarians play on scheduled days. Newcomers are welcome. Contact the British Embassy. Tel. # 334-582/3

Weather in Luanda:

Luanda has a good climate. The only months when it can be quite hot and humid are December through May. This is also the time to expect the heaviest rain. September-October is the time of the "pequenas chuvas" (small rains), but these are usually light. The cool season os "cacimbo" from mid-May to mid-August, during which it does not rain, but is gray and overcast for most of the day. The temperature is never lower than 18 C in Luanda and seldom above 38 C.