Nosy Be, Madagascar (Apr 15)

Nosy Be (Big Island) is off the northwest corner of Madagascar, and is a haven of sunshine, beautiful beaches, blue waters, exotic flora and fauna. In short, hot and steamy! Madagascar itself, off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean is the world’s fourth largest island and the second largest island country. We took a tuk tuk (small open taxi 3-wheeled taxi) around Hell-Ville (named for a Frenchman) the largest town and main port of Nosy Be.
Although we saw no lemurs, for which Madagascar is famous, we saw interesting plants, including the ylang ylang trees from which locals make pungent perfume. It felt like the South Pacific, but it is a very poor African country.



Our driver with ylang ylang tree and holding blossom 









Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 18, 2023 at 9:41 PM

    Ylang ylang was in everything a year or two ago. Didn't have any idea where it came from. Worth the trip just to find that out. FB

    ReplyDelete
  2. Suzanne EMay 4, 2023 at 3:51 PM

    Beautiful colors in the market.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ensenada

Image
Notes: We do not have great connectivity when we are at sea, so you all get a break during those days! Also, if/when you post a comment, please add your name, otherwise we have no idea who wrote it. We left San Francisco Sunday 1/15 when it was cold, rainy and foggy.  After a day at sea, got to Ensenada, Mexico today to scattered showers, but hired a taxi and went to Dad and Korki's old place on the beach which brought back lots of memories and had a tour around Ensenada. Considerable development since family used to go here 20 years ago! Our ship View from dad's place View of Ensenada from ship
Read more

January 10: T-minus 5 days

Image
"Where in the World are Bill and Bob?"   On January 15, 2023 we will board Oceania's Insignia in San Francisco for a 180 day round the world cruise.   Known for its cuisine, small ship size (656 passengers) -- hence its ability to dock in smaller ports-- and informal dress code (they call it country club casual) it seemed like a good fit.  So, for those who are interested in "where in the world are Bill and Bob," here's our map and itinerary for the first half of 2023: Around the World in 180 days.   San Francisco to San Francisco | Jan 15, 2023 | 180 Days | Insignia Map of Round the World Cruise Itinerary Hi ho, Hi ho... it's around the world we go ..... ;)
Read more

Acajutla, El Salvador

Image
El Salvador was our last stop in Central America before heading further south. The 7 hour land tours departed at 6:45 a.m., so once again we opted instead to take a local shuttle around the area. Acajutla is a very industrial port, and fairly impoverished- a dose of reality adding new  perspective as to why people want to leave. Also makes one thoughtful and grateful for what we have. Our disembarkment welcome Busy port City views Beach view
Read more