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February 2023
  • Tui Snider
  • Tui Snider

February 2023

Sailing to Africa, rounding the cape, & crossing the Atlantic! Read more
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    February 1, 2023
    Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    Hindu & Catholic Influence

    February 1, 2023 in India ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F

    Like so many seaports on this planet, Portugal brought Catholicism to Goa. But this is India, so the influence of Hinduism is prevalent, too.

    In the first photo, the trident and crescent moon means this statue is somehow related to the Hindu god, Shiva. Beyond that, I don’t know.

    The swastika you see in the next photo has absolutely nothing to do with Nazism. For millennia, this has been a spiritual symbol in this Hindu religion. It represents the sun and is believed to bring good luck. (Here, it is being used as a decorative element on someone’s patio.)

    We passed several roadside altars that reflect the Catholic influence in Goa. I’ve shared a couple here.

    And lastly, even though photography was forbidden in the Cathedral of Bom Jesus, I really had to show you the bloodiest crucifix I’ve ever seen!

    I also thought the saint wearing a typical marigold garland, an item used by Hindis and Catholics alike, was a good way to sum up the mix of beliefs here.    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    Signs in Goa

    February 1, 2023 in India ⋅ 🌙 84 °F

    Here are a few signs I found interesting in Goa:

    It’s actually illegal to smoke in public! (I’m not sure if this is true for all of India, but it was illegal in Mumbai, as well.)

    As for the stray dog sign, I’ve read travel warnings (along with some horror stories) about rabid cats and dogs in India, so it’s good to see that they are working on the issue.

    As for that Ayurvedic medicine clinic poster, it seems like they treat some rather unusual conditions!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    Goa Market

    February 1, 2023 in India ⋅ 🌙 84 °F

    We asked Nelson to take us to a market where local Goans shop, and he did not disappoint!

    I sure felt sorry for that stray kitty, though. She did not seem very happy.

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    Goa Taxi Tour

    February 1, 2023 in India ⋅ 🌙 81 °F

    After making it through the gauntlet of bureaucracy required to step foot in Goa, Larry negotiated a taxi tour for us, along with two German couples we met along the way.

    Our cabbie’s name was Nelson, and Old Goa was our first stop of the day.

    In the 1960s, many American hippies found their bliss on the beaches of Goa. These days, sadly, this lush tropical paradise is strewn with trash.

    As we left the port, we passed high walls covered with dingy murals and concertina wire behind which India Oil operates a refinery.

    On our way to Old Goa, we passed many roadside vendors, such as this gal selling fish.

    And check out that guy on the bike: According to Nelson, he is a garbage collector.

    We didn’t get a change to check out the McDonald’s on Goa. It can be fun to see how different countries interpret the menu around the world. (I was curious if they had any items featuring curry, for instance.)

    Nelson took us by a beach during our tour, and as much as I love swimming, after all the trash I’d seen in the bay and throughout the day, I just didn’t quite feel like it.    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler
    1

    Snorkeling in Male

    February 4, 2023 on the Maldives ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    We went snorkeling with in Male. So beautiful!

    Hulhumale Watersports Club led the expedition and they did a great job. Not only did they provide all the equipment, but they explained everything very clearly, including which hand signals to use.

    We snorkeled in two different places, and there were at least 3 tour guides in the water with us at all times.

    I mention this, because we have been on snorkel trips before where they did not keep an eye on the group. It’s easy to lose track of which boat is yours, or accidentally float way off track, but these guys were great.

    We saw colorful fish both places we swam. At the first stop, there were clouds of brine shrimp, which I mistook for debris in the water at first.

    At the second stop, we saw sea turtles as well as some black tipped sharks. The sharks made me a bit nervous, but they stayed well away from us.

    Even though it takes energy to swim, I felt so relaxed afterwards, as if I’d had a massage. I did not want the day to end!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    Alley Cats in the Maldives

    February 5, 2023 on the Maldives ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    The capital of this far flung archipelago is “full of house plants” as Larry so eloquently put it, where in its numerous shady alleyways I saw literal alley cats.

    I saw

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    Male Alphabet

    February 5, 2023 on the Maldives ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    I’m always curious about street signs and graffiti around the world. In the Maldives, I noticed a “new to me” script.

    I don’t even know what this alphabet is called or what language it represents!

    The sign you see with all the “things you can’t do” was posted outside the big mosque in Male. The Maldives have been a Muslim country since the 12th century.

    I’m sure that foreign script is quite ancient, too, but I’ll have to research it later.    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler
    1

    Green City

    February 5, 2023 on the Maldives ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    Male is the capital of the Maldives. But while the roads are cram jammed with cars and motorbikes, it still did not feel as frenetic as most big cities.

    Larry and I tried to pinpoint what makes Male feel more relaxed, or at least what made us feel as if it were.

    For one thing, people drive at an easy pace, without much honking. Sure, they want to get from here to there, but there is a palpable air of patience running through it all.

    It’s hard to explain, but Male feels more relaxed than most cities. (We experienced something similar in Bali.)

    At one point, Larry joked that, “Male is full of house plants!” Perhaps the abundance of flora contributed to our sense of relaxation here.

    During our snorkeling trip, the heat and humidity of the Maldives did not bother me. After all, we were in the crystal blue water most of the time!

    Exploring the city on foot, however, was another story. Many streets here are shaded by trees. (If you look closely at one of the photos I shared, you can see a tree growing through the roof of a restaurant.)

    By the time we bumped into our Romanian friends, we were drenched with sweat! (You can probably tell from the photo.)

    The man in the red shirt is walking down one of Male’s many narrow alleyways. While we appreciated all this shade, Larry and I were more than ready for a shower once we returned to the ship!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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 ship threw a party to commemorate crossing the Equator. The captain joined us on deck and asked Neptune, God of the Sea, for permission to cross.

    Neptune and his pals then baptized all passengers who were willing with ladles of sea water on our heads.

    My favorite part was when all the ship’s officers who had never crossed the equator before jumped into the sea water pool together. I got a wonderful photo of that moment.

    The whole thing was a lot of fun, but it made me teary eyed; it’s one of those days where I can’t stop thinking of my Dad.

    When you love someone, so many things can trigger memories and connections to them.

    Even so, it was a fun ritual!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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 regular cruise.

    I was surprised to see how small it is; it’s probably 1/3 the size of the Costa Deliziosa.

    I don’t know much more about The World, although one of my friends aboard has a brother who works on it, so if I learn anything interesting, I’ll share it here later!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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, and even swam with me, as you can see! It was nice to have a dog friend for the day.Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler
    1

    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 our catamaran. They were so cute!

    So many blues and greens to enjoy here!

    We visited La Union Estate, where a group of large tortoises have been imported from the Aldabra Atoll.

    The tortoises we saw were brought here for tourists to enjoy, but the ones remaining on the Aldabra Atoll live in peace because it’s a nature preserve.

    We were allowed to feed them, but most were pretty sated already.

    Afterwards, we visited a beach with dramatic granite outcroppings. Larry stayed in the shade while I swam with my new canine friend (the one I wrote about in another post.)

    I wish I’d had swim goggles, because I found the perfect spot to float and watch schools of brightly colored fish. They seemed to regard me as a bit of scenery and were swimming through my legs and by my arms.

    There was a rocky reef protecting the area, as well. Our guide said this discourages sharks from entering the bay where we swam.

    On the walk back to our open air tram, we saw and heard many beautiful birds. It was truly a taste of paradise!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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, but it has the shape of a woman‘s body!

    While visiting the Isle of Praslin, Larry and I saw this exotic tree growing in a forest called Vallee de Mai.

    The Seychelles was once part of the supercontinent Pangaea, but the archipelago broke away from India around 65 million years ago. Flora and fauna of these islands evolved in isolation.

    Photos of the Vallee de Mai do not do it justice. The vegetation was similar to other tropical islands, but it was super sized. We felt like we were in that 70s show, “Land of the Lost.”

    The Vallee de Mai is also home to a bird that lives only the Seychelles, the Black Parrot.

    As the name suggests, this bird is not brightly colored like its tropical cousins. It’s rather small with brown/black feathers, rather like a starling. I was so excited to see and hear black parrots! (I was not able to get a decent photo, but I’m sharing it anyway.)

    The Vallee de Mai has been listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. To make this list, a cultural or natural site needs to be of such quality that it’s worth protecting as a gift to all of humanity.

    I think the Seychelles’ Vallee de Mai certainly qualifies, don’t you?    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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, creole pumpkin, and a salad of shredded cabbage with mango.

    For dessert, I enjoyed a coconut tartlet with a really yummy concoction of sweet potatoes and coconut milk and washed it all down with a cup of vanilla tea.

    As we dined, we enjoyed a view that made me feel as if I’d stepped inside a poster on the wall of a travel agency.

    I’m not sure if the beach dog was a stray, but he certainly seemed to be enjoying his lot in life, as was I!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler
    1

    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.

    The waves were strong, so I bodysurfed and had a grand time being tossed around by the sea.

    Rather than swim, Larry chose to relax in the shade. He chatted with some locals and learned a lot about life here.

    For one thing, few people get married in the Seychelles. According to our cultural lecturer on the ship, this is a vestige of their colonial past.

    During the time time when locals were enslaved by the French, they were not allowed to marry, so it never became a custom here.

    Signs here are in French, English, and Creole. The Creole language looks and sounds a lot like French. “That’s why we don’t like speaking French,” our guide told us. “It is too similar to Creole, and the spelling is terrible.”

    We also learned that if you are not a native of the Seychelles, you cannot buy property or open a business unless you have locals for partners.

    I was happy to learn that there are strict laws for conserving nature, and I saw no litter at all, which was refreshing.

    Not only do the people of the Seychelles appreciate the paradise they have, but they also seem to possess a desire to preserve it.    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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 their shoulder blades. This special adaptation enables them to endure famine.

    Every guide we met emphasized the importance of zebu to their tribes, although the exact nature of this importance varied.

    In Nosy Be, Philippe told us that until recently, a man could not get married unless he could offer at least one zebu to his bride’s family in exchange. (Nowadays, money will do, as well.)

    In Toamasina, Lachaka told us that in the southwest part of Madagascar, a man must steal a zebu before he can marry. (This theft is a ritual to prove his courage, and the zebu is returned to its rightful owner afterwards.)

    Later, when Lachaka proudly told us that he owned two zebu, Larry teasingly asked if he had stolen them. Lachaka laughed and said, “No, no! Only in the southwest!”

    Zebu don’t produce much milk. They are mostly used for labor and meat. They are a part of every major event here, from weddings, births, religious rites, funerals, and holidays.

    I apologize that my zebu photos aren’t the best. As we passed them pulling carts on the roads, the windows of our rattletrap van were so cracked and dirty that photographing anything was a challenge.

    Even so, there were many intriguing sites whizzing by. Madagascar fascinates me!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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 sold handmade souvenirs.

    A few, however, seemed to be visiting our ship out of curiosity more than anything else.

    We also saw single sail boats. Having grown up with one, I have a soft spot for that type of water craft. It reminds me of many happy hours sailing with my dad.    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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 vegetation so expertly that each one we found was a thrill.

    At one point, Philippe gently lured a chameleon onto a stick so we could have a closer look at the beautiful creature.

    He also pointed out a boa constrictor coiled up in the leaves nearby!

    “This one’s a baby,” Philippe explained. “We are safe because they sleep all day.”

    I love snakes, but after that, I watched my step!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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 blossoms can be picked without a ladder.

    Ylang Ylang blossoms are a lighter green than the leaves, nor do they look like a traditional flower blossom.

    At the entrance to the factory, they had a framed photo of Ghandhi with a wonderful quote, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

    Must confess that we were melting from the heat and humidity at the ylang ylang distillery.

    I much preferred our trek through the neighboring forest, where we saw bananas growing, and so many gorgeous plants.

    I smelled Ylang Ylang everywhere we went that day. It wasn’t until I undressed for a shower back on the ship that I realized I was the culprit; a little sprig of Ylang Ylang blossoms was snagged in my bra strap!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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 be silvery herring, but these were punctuated with bright orange and yellow fish, as well.

    Unfortunately, the throng of impatient passengers prevented me from being able to stop and get a photo of this wondrous sight.

    Locals greeted our ship’s arrival with an energetic dance as tuk tuks zipped by, taxi cabs called out to us, vendors hawked their wares, and tour vans parked willy nilly.

    The dance was really something: One woman casually balanced a bottle on her head, while the other women took turns writhing face down on the ground and twerking!

    Add a hefty dose of heat and humidity to this and you have one hectic scene!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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 see anywhere as they checked their cell phones, talking and laughing… except for the bundles of fabric they casually carried on their heads.

    At one point, I noticed a woman gracefully carrying a box of bread on her head, as well as a baby in a sling on her back.

    As I admired her balance, another woman waved her over. The bread lady casually weaved through traffic, then knelt in front of her.

    After this customer chose a loaf and money changed hands, the bread lady rose to her feet and continued on her way!    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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 protuberance in front. They can fight each other with this, although I imagine it must be a very slow paced fight.

    And lastly, you see a Bell Tortoise named Napoleon. According to our guide, Napoleon is more than 220 years old.

    Sadly, he was shot during a war (stupid humans!) You can see the damage to his shell. This wound caused him to go blind when he was around 200 years old.

    Our guide says they make sure Napoleon stays well fed, and that he continues to thrive despite losing his sight.    Read more

  • Tui SniderFebruary 2023Traveler

    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, which made me wonder if it was venomous. (Maybe it was just not in the mood to dance!)

    The dancers all wore shirts labeling them as staff, so I’m not sure if they were holding a snake simply to impress tourists, or if it held more significance than that.

    I would have liked to ask questions about the whole scene, but we’d lost our guide at this point, so I wasn’t able to do more than just observe.    Read more

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