Day 11- 1.15.17, Nosy Be, Madagascar

Nosy Be (pronounced "bay") is an island just of the northwest coast of Madagascar. Once anchored in the harbor, we boarded tenders from the big ship, to take us to shore of this delightful island.

But before the tenders had even arrived to pick us up, the locals had already paddled out and surrounded our massive white shiny ship, ready to peddle their fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish.

Once ashore, six of us piled into a grimy un-airconditioned van, with our guide Ruby and our driver, and started off exploring through the main town on the island, Hell Ville (named after the man who founded the town).  

Oh, the COLORS!

We started at the Central Market, where I took the plunge and immediately bought some Madagascar vanilla beans!  From this lovely gal:

           

          See the baby
            on the floor behind her?

How do you *even*
....express...

This market was incredible. 

 So exotic, raw, and dirty and real! 

There were flies everywhere, thus all the covered tables:

I can only IMAGINE the amazing flavors
in these homemade sauces and chutneys...

This is the flooring in the Central Market!

  

These are crabs (the brown things in the baskets) 

and they are caked in wet brown mud,

and they are alive!

He wanted Mom to pick him up soo badly!! 

But it was time to leave.

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From here we drove through village areas up zig zag tropical mountain hills, sharing the road with loads of young pedestrians, climbing up, walking down...to a Ylang-Ylang plantation. This flower is native to this island, and they make fragrant perfume products 

from its rich oils.

The ylang-ylang aroma is pungent and hangs in the air...an economically important crop for Nosy Be!

Nearby, we see a coffee tree (foreground) and a mango tree (tall behind it!) 

- and this is a black pepper plant! 

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Back in the Africa Hot un-air-conditioned van, we pass through HellVille again on the way to The Sacred Tree, which is the oldest and largest Ficus tree on the island, and a definite landmark site for Nosy Be. 

We were greeted here by more amazing singers, 

some light dancing... 

-We were clothed in the appropriate sarong type attire, which

is required, in order to enter the canopy of the Sacred Tree. 

We then had to remove our shoes, in order to proceed in to leave an offering for the Sacred Tree, which brings much good fortune. 

The red and white fabrics, animal skulls, food, and coin offerings are all left to give thanks to the Sacred Tree:

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Then followed a yummy spread of fresh fruits and homemade snacks and confectionaries, with more music and dancing!

Lychee, fresh pineapple, mango, papaya...

This was laid out on every table

We learned how to peel and eat
a scrumptious lychee!

                 (It's all so
                          FUN!)

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Today's post is long, because I absolutely am taken with the people in these villages, they way they look, dress, laugh, smile, and live. So, out of hundreds and hundreds, these were shot 

("from the hip"-unable to know what I was getting-)

out of the cracked window in the hot van, with the GoPro, 

as we zoomed through town:

And so far, these are some of my favorite images from this trip up to this point.

 The editing effects I added absolutely capture the textures and details, the FEEL of these places, as well as making seen the things we'd never normally notice.

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 Once back on ship, another magnificent sunset awaited.

It's been another great day of adventure!