The people at this Pemba resort are so laid-back, they even do their own thing with the clocks writes Monica Laganparsad. I despise winter. There's nothing joyful about three months of frosty mornings, dry skin and chapped lips - I thrive in hot and humid climates, more so if there's an ocean.story_article_left1So when opportunity came knocking on my cubicle one miserable August morning, bearing the offer of four sun-drenched days in Pemba, Mozambique, there was little to say but adios, Joburg.For South Africans who love getaways but loathe long flights, Mozambique is mercifully just around corner. Still, it takes two flights to get to Pemba from Johannesburg - 40 minutes to Maputo and another two hours to reach Pemba.I left for OR Tambo before sunrise, bundled up in a puffer jacket and scarf. Three hours later, I was begging to strip off my winter gear.As we arrived in Pemba and climbed into the shuttle bus, Juan Nel, the sales and marketing guy from the Planhotel Hospitality Group, announced cheerily, ''It's another hour to the resort." Ugh. I was already sweating like Mike Tyson in a spelling bee.Unlike the bustling capital of Maputo, Pemba is the less-flashy coastal cousin up north. It is the capital of the province of Cabo Delgado and lies on a peninsula in Pemba Bay. People come here for watersports and whale watching.I was thinking about the whales when we arrived at the Diamonds Mequfi Resort. After the welcome drinks (non-alcoholic) and brief introductions, I darted off to my white bungalow rising from the dunes, a sea-facing luxury unit with a glorious view of the ocean.It was just before sunset and I grabbed the opportunity for a quick dip. They say the warm Mozambique current here is a cure for all ills.Now, the good folk at the resort practise something they call Mequfi time. What this means is that, while Mozambique and South Africa share the same time zone, in Mequfi, they set their clocks an hour ahead because of the early sunset."We want guests to make the most of their day," said Nel.mini_story_image_vright1I never did grasp Mequfi time, though, and ended up being either one hour late or one hour early for almost everything. My new friend, 10-year-old Carolina, whose mother Julia Ashby is the commercial director of Planhotels, didn't get it either.One evening as we sat down for pre-dinner drinks, she said, "If the sun sets early then just deal with it."But Nel explained that European visitors come to Pemba looking for a dream beach holiday, laced with tasty cocktails and seafood."It allows them to make the most of the day on the beach," he said.When my sister heard I was off to Mozambique, she said: "What's the point? You don't even eat prawns."It's true, their bulging eyes and long antennae make me shudder. But the resort's head chef, Dayasagar Rajuladevi, still provided a delicious spread.The Sri Lankan-born chef works his magic on local produce to conjure flavours for the international palate and we enjoyed fresh tuna, chicken skewers, lobster bisque, prawns and an unforgettable potato curry.The resort is ideal for lazy days but, seeking a bit of adventure one day, after a full breakfast we headed into town, about 30 minutes from the resort.Our host had chartered a luxury yacht, the Spirit of Regis, for us to sail the bay with Captain Peter Shore.Around mid-morning we encountered a female humpback whale and her baby and a friendly school of dolphins. This amazing sight, Nel said, was Pemba's main drawcard.This is a wonderful destination with luxurious blue waters, friendly people and lush vegetation. If you fancy a quick, quiet getaway, it's a great choice.sub_head_start IF YOU GO ... sub_head_endWHAT IT HAS: Pemba offers various activities, including snorkelling, deep-sea diving and whale watching.mini_story_image_hleft2The best time to visit is during the winter and spring months, when the average daytime temperature is around 28°C, while it cools down to about 20° in the evening.GETTING THERE: Return fares to Pemba on Mozambique's official carrier, LAM, start at around R6000, with taxes.RATES: An all-inclusive, five-night package at Diamonds Mequfi Beach Resort is R20850 per person (R26850 for seven nights). The package includes flights out of Johannesburg and transfers from Pemba airport to the resort.ACCOMMODATION: A deluxe room (king-size bed), free wifi in the rooms, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Drinks include house wines, beers and soft drinks. Offer valid until December 20 2015.CONTACTS:mequfibeach.diamondsresorts.com.- Laganparsad was a guest of the Diamonds Mequfi Resort..