ARRIVING TO
AFRICA
My first moments on the shores of Africa, holding a glass of shampagne. (Mozambique)
Aliisa bounces on a lee shore. The most uncomfortable anchorage! (Barra Point)
CHAGOS
Erja and Glenn from Aku Ankka. True lifestyle cruisers of nearly 20 years. Thank you for all your help. Can't wait to meet again.
View of Ile Boddam anchorage.
Young Anna floating by the beach
Tenders crowd the beach as yachties gather for the afternoon volleyball session
Remains of a building serves as a shed for the yachties. (Ile Boddam)
Charlie dozing off by the evening camp fire
Aliisa on her mooring among the coral. Ile Boddam
Chagos Hermit crab. One of millions
10kg of Malaysian garlic lasted for nearly six months
Glenn (Aku Ankka) busy servicing their outboard
The cemetary at Ile Boddam, sadly with many small graves
Lush palm forest offers relief from the equatorial heat
Michelle's Yacht Louzik occupying the prime spot, nearest to the camp.
Michelle and her salad from the onboard-garden. Hello Michelle. We miss you!
Past and Present. Roughly from the same view
Manager's house at Boddam. Left is today, Right is sometime in the 1970's after evacuation of the island
Aliisa and crew resting quietly by the shallow lagoon of Ile de Pass
Images from the past, during the operation of the coconut oil factory in Salomon Atoll
Ruins of buildings are invaded by a vigorous growth of palms and ferns
My new toy. The Pactor Modem appeared a week later. I'm radioactive, at last!
Heavy squalls and rain sweep through the anhorage. April 2005
Two laptops, a container of Jim Beam under the table and a computer expert (Terry) nearby. What else could I ask for?
Time for volleyball, 4pm, every day.
Charlie inspects the quality of Whiskas. Approved.
On-Passage comfort for the Princess
Dolphins visit Salomon Atoll frequently. Note Michelle, getting a close look during the chase.
Numerous tracks provide easy walking and an escape from the camp
MADAGASCAR
Jamming with the boys. Yep, I bought the drum which they were so keen to sell. Trade show in Hellville.
Hellville harbour. A blend of yachts, traditional pirouges and rusty fishing and cargo vessels
I had to take one of these. In fact we had two onboard for a few weeks, but after a while got tired of the bug hunting for their food.
In Nosy Komba it was the children who came to trade... well, to ask for more lollies.
Did you ever wonder why there are no more old Renault T4's left in France. They're all in Madagascar!
Ryan from Yacht Nemir posing with a Chameleon. Hello Nemir, we miss you guys!
The kids were always happy to play and be played with. Some of the mothers weren't so happy.
Chip and Dale became our new pets. Here's Dale heading up for a better view.
"Let me tell you a story" was the standard opening from George Smith alias Dadilahy (Grandpa) (Nosy Komba)
Deep in the forest, 400m above sea level, a canoe is in the making. It takes up to 20 men and a few days to carry it down to the sea.
Oh, did I mention that we fell in love with a couple of Chameleons?
Mad Faces
There is no shortage of sheltered anchorages in NW Madagascar. A truly fantastic cruising ground!
Oh, did I mention that we fell in love with a couple of Chameleons??
Two boys loading live chicken out of a pirouge that has sailed in from Hellville with supplies
Children are busy helping at home. This girl spent the whole day pounding fresh coffee beans for roasting
Gilbert is looking for samples in the guest book before making his entry. (Mahajanga)
Time for play. Swimming and playing in the water is the most common entertainment for Malagasy kids. And why not!
Hellville markets are well supplied with good quality produce, friendly service and plenty of thieves. Keep your hand on your wallet!
Mudcrabs in the market
Vanilla, curry, cumin, coriander, paprika, pepper, garam masala, tumeric, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and so on. Spices, coffee and vanilla are locally grown, cheap and good.
What can I say? It's another sunset.
Edmond, our bush guide, has taken us to his house on top of Nosy Komba, about 600m above sea level. Total silence on a private property surrounded by 3 acres of garden produce.
Most villages only contain one or two families. Huts are typically built right to the water's edge with a high tide almost reaching through the door.
At first I thought it was the only one in town but I soon realised that bull (zebu) carts are common and in everyday use by many in Nosy Be
MAYOTTE
Teenagers play and relax on a beach. Mayotte.
A small gambling ring in Mayotte harbour. Must be illegal as the man with the dice became very angry with me after the photo.
Paula loses some blood in Mayotte Hospital. After all the pantomime and language problems, they finally let us go without paying.
Mayotte harbour is still reasonably clean, at least clean enough for the town children
Steet vendors. Women and couples specialise in vegetables while young men trade with pirate cd music, shoes, pocket knives and other hardware
Bananas and other cargo loaded into a local ferry. Taking phots was always difficult as it got the locals' blood boiling!
View over Mayotte harbour. The yacht club and anchorage is a short ferry drive away, across the bay at the island in the distance.
Fueling up with Langkawi duty free. Buy it when it's cheap and buy more than you think you need. Same procedure was repeated in Madagascar (local rum) and no doubt again in Caribbean...