February 15

Now, I am trying to write directly to the blog so that all three of my followers will have something to read and see. Maybe the other post will arrive, but if not, here are a couple of photos.

From Reunion Island February 15, 2012

I actually got off the ship at our last port, Madagascar. We docked at the very southern tip of the island and I went with a small group to visit a Preserve where they had local flora and fauna but which was best known for having three kinds of lemurs. It was kind of amusing the way our guide (who flew down from the center of Madagascar to give our tour and another a few days earlier) would make a signal to a local person who ran ahead to check out just where the lemurs were in the trees and then come back to guide us. I got some photos and will try and include them. The usual caveats….I have no idea what of this will make it to the blog and what will not.

We also saw the great poverty of the people and the countryside where we went had only a rutted road along which they walked with baskets on their heads or long poles with heavy burdens latched on. The huts were thatch roofed and every now and then one was obviously some kind of a store with a few things for sale laid out in front. Whenever we got our of the tour van, we were surrounded by people trying to sell and even in the preserve, there were children who held out long sticks with lizards or chameleons on them to give us a better photo opportunity. When were stopped once, someone stuck one of the long sticks in the open window (no air conditioning but the breeze was nice) and I let oir a yelp! It was a model, but looked very real. They all got a kick out of that!

The area where the ship docked was a very new terminal built by RIO TINTO which has set up mining for titanium. They allow cruise ships to use it a couple of times a week. Actually, they have to as that was part of the deal when they built the area. The coast line is gorgeous and has beautiful beaches with clear water. A continuation of our tour took us into the town of Fort Dauphin and I don’t think there is anywhere there which matches the beaches in terms of accommodation. The local fruits and vegetables market was filled with some nice looking things but I would not have wanted to get out in the area where it was located. Clothing was also being sold by being put out on the street in piles. I think this is the place they send the tee shirts etc., which are pre-printed in hopes a team will win. Then when they are not CHAMPIONS of whatever, they send them to places like this! But, one guy had a Lakers hat so perhaps he was a traveler.

Today, in Reunion, there has been a truck strike and so they will not allow the tour bus onto the dock area, so all the tours have been cancelled. The only one which was supposed to go was the helicopter tour but I think the clouds may have made that a less than satisfactory trip. Many of the Brits on the ship say we didn’t miss much and the next stop is similar but nicer. They spoke “unkindly” of the French. Reunion is one if the departments of France and the currency is the euro. Supposedly the same kind of purchases are available at better rates at the next port! I have not been shopping that much anyway.

At 6:00 PM, we leave for Mauritius and arrive in the AM. Then we have four days at sea before we anticipate the embarkation of Amy and Ron.
Love and kisses, ME