Day 95 – Nosy Be, Madagascar

As we sailed to the island of Nosy Be in Madagascar this morning, the skies were mostly clear, and the temperature was already very hot. Nosy Be was a tender port, and we anchored near the town of Andoany. I was surprised when I stepped out on our balcony and saw a local man in an outrigger canoe trying to sell items to passengers on the ship. That just wasn't going to work.

Sailing into Nosy Be

Tim and I were scheduled to take the included excursion, “Village of Dzamandzar,” which was described as follows:

Explore the most popular isle in Madagascar’s archipelago during a panoramic drive. Board a motor coach with your guide and set off for a scenic drive around the country’s largest island. Nicknamed the “Perfume Island” because of the scent of ylang-ylang trees that grow in its tropical forests and plantations, Nosy Be also boasts an array of other distinct flora and fauna. Stop and gain a deeper understanding of local history and culture as you get a glimpse into the life of the Sakalava people, one of Madagascar’s smallest ethnic groups that are descended from settlers who arrived around the 8th century AD. Enjoy a stop in Dzamandzar and engage with some of the locals as you walk among unique balloon-shaped houses and remnants of an old railway, and browse market stalls offering spices, tropical fruits and handmade crafts. Afterward, return to your ship.

I had been having second thoughts about going on the excursion, however. I’ve been fighting another cold and cough (not the flu, thank goodness) for the last few days, and the thought of being outside in the heat was not appealing. In the end, I thought it best for me to stay on board, so that’s what I did.

Tim did go on the excursion, and I asked him to take photos of the balloon-shaped houses, since I was curious about their architecture. He did take photos and shared them with me, but his guide provided no information about the houses, which was disappointing. A Google search also turned up nothing.

A Traditional Dance and Welcome to Nosy Be

Balloon-Shaped Houses of Dzamandzar 

The weather deteriorated in the late afternoon, and it began to rain. We even saw a faint rainbow. The seas got progressively rough, and the last tender was rocking and rolling on its way back to the ship. I watched as the crew tried to attach the cables to raise the tender up to its permanent location, and they were fighting the waves and wind the entire time. I’m sure they were quite relieved when they finally succeeded.

Late Afternoon Seas at Nosy Be