Blogs from Southern, Mozambique, Africa - page 6

My absence of 2 days can be explained by illness, and yes, I thought I was going to die! Who knows what bug I caught or where I caught it? Conditions are not sanitary here, really, I've been sharing bathrooms and bedrooms and regulators etc....so I caught something. I became so ill I actually called the manager to get a doctor for me. That is not done here, but Steve, the owner of the dive shop Peri Peri, and his wife Martina, the volunteer I have mentioned regarding the orphanage, were at Casa Do Mar visiting the owners. Steve tested me for malaria, Katie brought pills for temperature, they iced me down, and gave me electrolytes. The hospital is the last resort, here. I am now off to get Randy at the Inhambane airport, so I ... read more

Well, I missed my dive this morning. No, I wasn’t hung over, I felt ill during the night, as did my roomie, Leslie. After imbibing a lot of alcoholic substances, the group went to Tofo Tofo, a restaurant in the village. Dinner was delicious, I think it was the ice that made me ill. Ice can be a danger as we all know. I should have stuck with the bottle. I managed to “sneak” away after dinner, Daniela had quite a few cocktails shall we say, and insisted I go to Fatimas with them to dance with her. I asked Patty to distract her, which wasn’t a problem, and I headed home, taking the shortcut through the woods. Leslie insisted on walking me to the fork, and it is good that she did, because I would ... read more

The big event today was a non-event....nothing on the ocean safari. Two whale sharks have been sighted at Barra Point, so we are going to head that direction tomorrow. Also, four Great Whites have been sighted not far from here, apparently it is unusual to see them in these waters. After my last experience with one I can't say I'm anxious to meet one in open water, the cage was rather helpful last time. Today it rained, and it is cold for the first time since I've been here. Chilly. It will be cold on the water tomorrow. The water temperature has dropped 4 degrees since I've been in Tofo, so winter is coming (Stark words). Rain and wind shut down the power here in Tofo, so we've been without power a few times today. An ... read more

Vilancula on a shoestring. It took from 9a until 2p to get here, we are staying at a backpackers hostel. Not exactly what I am used to….but for two nights I can survive. We stopped on the way for a picnic where Ben found a chameleon. Everyone photographed it repeatedly. THEN Ben spotted a green tree snake. I said, I think that snake is venomous, but they said it was not. Photos again! Then Felix checked it on his iphone…and yes, it is a very poisonous snake whose bite can be fatal. I’m grateful no one grabbed it. Right now I am in the “restaurant” of the backpackers, and a momma dog has 9 pups in here. They are so cute, but life is too tough here for these poor dogs. People cannot take care of ... read more

I missed blogging yesterday, but I was so busy I came home and collapsed after the talk on Manta Rays at Casa Barry last night. Andrea Marshall is so charismatic…her passion for the conservation of the Manta Rays is infectious. I am seriously considering doing a trip with her in March, a 3 week dive/research trip to Raj Impat and Indonesia. I want to help support this effort to the best of my ability. Yesterday we did an ocean safari, no whale sharks or manta rays. Andrea arrived here 10 years ago to do her graduate work, and 10 years later there are 87% FEWER MANTA RAYS. I’ve been here a week and I’ve seen only one manta, and no whale sharks. The reason for this is obvious: today, on the way to Outback reef for ... read more