What an incredible day. With a last tender to come back to our ship at 2:30pm and 7 hour tour in front of us, our alarm went off at 5:30 this morning to begin our day 2 here in Nosy Be. Today we joined a HAL sponsored tour which began with a 45 minute boat ride for the journey over to Lokobe National Park located along the southeast coast of Nosy Be. We landed on a beautiful, white sand beach at a local village where the local people came to greet us, a wonderful site to see. You could almost call this village an active rustic shopping mall with all out in full force with local handicrafts from Madagascar. I think they knew a cruise ship was in. After settling in after our wet landing and reapplication of bug spray we headed into the old-growth forest with two local guides (plus our guide, Patrick).
I usually do not go into these types of excursions expecting to see anything, I’m used to the saying that “although wildlife sightings are expected, they are not guaranteed”. It is wildlife after all. Our printout said to keep a look out for boa constrictors, green geckos, rock lizards, chameleons and black (male) and brown (female) lemurs. Okay sure, and away we go. Well, prove my scepticism wrong on a big way. Lemurs, I kind of expected but when there was a huge boa constrictor above my head on a branch, I was pleasantly in awe. Let’s just say at the end on our almost 2 hour walk, all boxes were ticked and then some. Our guides had their eagle eyes out and spotted the smallest of geckos and lizards to the cutest little lemur sitting in a hollow of a tree.
After this most incredible hike, although a little delay in the preparation, we had a very nice barbecue lunch on the beach. The delay was apparently due to the fishermen bringing in our freshly caught fish. Moist and delicious. We had fresh fruits to finish our meal.
It was a bit bumpy coming back due to the wave action (I’m thinking that there is even pot holes out here, lol), we made it back on board in time for an afternoon nap. A great day here in Nosy Be.
Now if you are looking for a more interactive experience with Lemurs don’t go to this National Park, head over to Nosy Komba, a short boat ride away. On Nosy Komba, it is not protected and private, meaning the guides bring food to bring the Lemurs to you and even on your shoulders and / or heads, some of our guests got some great pics. To each his own.
We now will enjoy 2 days at sea before we dock in Maputo, Mozambique. Nice.
Our pics from Madagascar, hope you enjoy…
Quote of the day, “Let the sea breeze blow your hair, let the sunset bring tranquility to your heart, let the distant places you travel allow you to explore yourself.” - Somya Kedia
Look up, it’s a Boa Constrictor
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