Pangalanes Canal
February 13, 2023 in Madagascar
Today we docked in Madagascar’s main seaport, Toamasina, and explored the area nearby.
“Toamasina” means “it’s salty” and there’s a funny story behind the name. Many years ago, a manRead more
Chameleons in Toamasina
February 13, 2023 in Madagascar
Some of the village kids in Madagascar make money by letting tourists like me pose with chameleons.
Another group of kids had some cute little animals in a bucket with a hat nearby for tips. Do youRead more
Flower Children
February 13, 2023 in Madagascar
Our guide on the west side of Madagascar mentioned that, “In your movies, the men give their women flowers for the day of love, but we would never do that here.”
“Why not?” a Swiss womanRead more
Village House
February 13, 2023, Indian Ocean
As we wandered along the main path through the village, Lachaka waved our group to one side.
“Come this way,” he said, steering us down a narrow walkway.
“Where are we going?” peopleRead more
Breadfuit
February 13, 2023 in Madagascar
You may not think you know what breadfruit looks like, but if you’ve ever seen a Hawaiian shirt, you probably recognize the leaf.
Breadfruit leaves are a popular design motif throughout theRead more
Blessings from the Chief
February 13, 2023 in Madagascar
The downpour continued as our boat pulled ashore so Lachaka suggested wearing life jackets in lieu or raincoats.
A small crowd of locals met us as we disembarked. If they thought we looked silly inRead more
Voice of the Sea
February 11, 2023 in Madagascar
Larry and I were chosen to take part in the ship’s Voice of the Sea competition. Larry auditioned with Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind,” while I sang Sarah Brightman’s “Think ofRead more
Hellville Market
February 11, 2023 in Madagascar
According to Philippe, the difference between a town and a village in Madagascar is that a town has electricity and a village does not.
We ended our tour of Nosy Be with a visit to the the town ofRead more
Holy Tree in Nosy Be
February 11, 2023 in Madagascar
If you remember the plot to the first “Avatar” movie, then certain aspects of the story behind this tremendous tree may sound familiar! Read on:
In 1836, the Queen of the Sakalava tribe plantedRead more
Feeding a Wild Lemur!
February 11, 2023 in Madagascar
We saw many different kinds of lemurs in Madagascar, but whatever kind is pictured here, are may absolute favorites!
There was no need to squint at them from afar, because these furry fellows hoppedRead more
Snake Dancers
February 11, 2023 in Madagascar
As we wandered through the beautiful grounds, we came upon a group of locals singing and dancing.
As you can see, one guy had a snake around his neck. He kept quite a grip on the creature’s neck,Read more
Madagascar Tortoises
February 11, 2023 in Madagascar
They keep three kinds of Madagascar tortoise at the Ylang Ylang farm.
The first photo shows a Star Tortoise. Their shells are so pretty!
As you can see, male Soc Tortoises have a bony protuberanceRead more
Balancing Acts
February 11, 2023 in Madagascar
It would never occur to me to go for a stroll with beach bag on my head, but here in Africa people carry many things this way!
This trio of young men, for instance, looked like guys you might seeRead more
Nosy Be Dancers
February 11, 2023 in Madagascar
When our tender boat reached the dock at Nosy Be, it was a chaotic scene.
As passengers rushed up the gangway, I peered into the azure water and saw that it was thick with fish! Most appeared to beRead more
Ylang Ylang Farm
February 11, 2023 in Madagascar
We visited a Ylang Ylang farm near Nosy Be, Madagascar. See that tree I’m standing under? It’s Ylang Ylang.
And see how the trees are hunched over? They are pruned this way so that the blossomsRead more
Chameleons, Skinks & Sleeping Snake
February 11, 2023 in Madagascar
While walking the grounds of the Ylang Ylang farm, Philippe took us on a hunt for chameleons. Along the way, we also saw a skink, geckoes, and some crocodiles.
Chameleons blend into the vegetationRead more
Madagascar Canoes
February 11, 2023 in Madagascar
No sooner had our ship set anchor near Nosy Be, than a dozen or so dugout canoes paddled right up to us.
One man sold fruit directly to passengers as they sat in their tender boats. Others soldRead more
Zebu
February 11, 2023 in Madagascar
Zebu are extremely important animals in Madagascar and we saw them everywhere we went.
Zebu are a type of bovine, but unlike cows we have in the USA, these guys have a large hump between theirRead more
Bodysurfing on La Praslin
February 9, 2023 on the Seychelles ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F
I don’t have any photos of the beach where we swam after lunch on the island of La Praslin, but these photos give an idea of the granite outcroppings that are a hallmark for the Seychelles.
TheRead more
Lunch on La Praslin
February 9, 2023 on the Seychelles ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
We enjoyed a marvelous lunch at a seaside resort on the Island of La Praslin in the Seychelles.
I chose the most exotic things I could find at the buffet. On my plate you can see shark curry, creoleRead more
Coco de Mer
February 9, 2023 on the Seychelles ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
Here’s a trivia question for you: What is the world’s largest nut?
Answer: the Coco de Mer, a unique coconut that only grows in the Seychelles.
Not only is a Coco de Mer nut big and heavy, butRead more
La Digue Swimming
February 9, 2023 on the Seychelles ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
We visited two granite islands in the Seychelles: Praslin and La Digue. Praslin is quite mountainous, while La Digue is very flat.
On La Digue, a class of school kids came out to greet ourRead more
My La Digue Doggie
February 9, 2023 on the Seychelles ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
While watching the tortoises on La Digue, a dog trotted by and had a drink of water. I called out, “Heya, pooch!” and she looked my way.
She followed Larry and I for the rest of the tour, andRead more
L’Union Estate Cemetery
February 9, 2023 on the Seychelles ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
The Mallon family who came here from Reunion Island in 1798 and established a small cemetery here on the flat island of La Digue.
The World
February 9, 2023 on the Seychelles
As of today I can truly say, “I’ve seen the world!”
The World cruise ship, that is…
Guests on The World own their staterooms. It’s more like a super fancy floating condo than a regularRead more
Equator Crossing Ritual
February 7, 2023, Indian Ocean ⋅ 🌙 82 °F
As far as imaginary lines go, the Equator is actually quite meaningful. It’s not just some human construct due to territorial issues and politics; it truly divides our planet in half.
This shipRead more
































































































































































Two to Travel
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