A Dream Come True Fabulous that you realized your dream, and that it was beautiful and full of surprises. Your bungalows look great (oh for that pool!), you avoided being chameleon bitten, found new fancy clothes, and got to wear your undies around town--sounds pretty fun to me. And what does Nosy mean? Beach? Looking forward to those lemurs!
Malagassy Magnifique Fantastic you are misbehaving on the Malagassy doorstep of the magnificent continent that is Africa, Cindy. I must say Madagasgar sounds Exotic with a capital "E". Have a blast.
What an intro! Loved this post Cindy. We moved to West Africa when I was little and on my second day there I picked up a baby chameleon...the little shit hissed at me so ferociously that I fell backwards. Learnt fast to stay away from the bitey end :) Looking forward to the rest of the blogs!
Happy is soooooo much better Oh yes, I feel your pain, and its difficult to let it go, but truly, life is much better when you shine from the inside. Take it from me, I come from the darkest of places. Great blog!
Thank you everyone ;) Andrea, Dave, MJ, Jo, Shane, Den..sorry if ive forgotten anyone - John & Silvia, Caroline and Andy its been the support of you wonderful people that has made a huge difference. It was actually very cathartic writing that and then kicking 2015 out the door...bring on 2016...I am sure it will be wonderful for all of us and thank you all again. Happy is so much better.
Bugger! Sylvia and I were hoping to catch up with you in Perth in March next year. Even booked a couple of days in Fremantle so we could visit the Duyfken.
Glad you are out of your situation and getting on with your life. Hope your new year is better than your past year(s).
I'll be posting our travel itinerary shortly but it involves Africa and Europe. Maybe we might meet up.
I just may be here in March ;) Please let me know John, I have to be back from Madagascar for March as its my sons 21st and my 50th - would be great to catch up x
Magic Fairy Tale! So wise to listen to your inner voice and escape the bureaucracy that was stealing your real self. The universe heard your wish and cooperated to facilitate your freedom by getting you a magical carpet ride to your happy place and then a perfect pal to hang with. It's in giving to others that we find satisfaction, and here you were both able to be a tour guide for Chris and listen to, vent and release your mutual angers. How lovely to have the former, adventurous, optimistic Cindy back--looking forward to hearing of your year of freedom! You've earned it!
Serenity now!! Dave here.....great blog. As MJ stated, don't let the bastards get ya down! Life is but a short precious experience. So glad that you have released the evil thoughts that have dominated your life. You simply don't need nor have any use for them. Happy Holidays to you!
The best blog I've read on TB... I'm so pleased that you decided to be happy and make others happy. We look forward to reading how you spread this happiness to more people during your year of travels. BTW, my favorite hang out in southern Thailand is also Railey Beach.
The Horizon Sometimes the horizon seems invisible, 'cause it seems so far away. Yet it's there...waiting. So good to hear you can now see it, touch it, be glad you are there. Warms the heart Cindy. Best wishes from D & D.
Releasing the anger Sometimes we get in a spot and we hold on to things that can hurt us and drain us. Intellectually, we probably know when we are angry and when we are hanging on to it for too long but darn once it has a hold on you it seems hard to let go. I'm thrilled that Ao Nang and talking with your friend Chris has allowed you to find that release. Don't let the bastards get you down. Don't let them suck another moment of your life or your energy. They didn't deserve to have you. Now you have freedom. You control your destiny. Dive and blow those tiny bubbles. Become one with the fishes and the deep blue sea. Peace and happiness are yours now. Happy Holidays my friend.
Peeked out from behind coconut trees Yes I can imagine he may have thought aliens had arrived on his island. I'm glad you care about the environment and take care to negatively impact it as little as possible. Although as you've said we need to be cautious of our footprint, we also realize that as we follow our passion it does change things. Yes, selfish, our flights are wrong and yet we continue taking them. These are deep thoughts and we must continue to be a responsible as we can.
Fascinating subject. If we learn from Easter Island, it is that humans are capable of taking and taking against rationality and even their own self-destruction. At the same time, I think there are some areas of the world that are managing to balance tourism and ecotourism (never 100% though). I remember talking to a local environmentalist in Malaysia who said that his goal wasn't to save the entirety of the jungles in Malaysia, but to look at the problem as a long-term solution. For example, allowing 5-10% of a place to be open to tourism and reap the monetary gain to protect the other 90-95%. He found his greatest hurdle to be corporations and government officials who wanted to increase the tourism higher without the long-term goal. As economists would say that incentive is just human nature, I wonder what kind of incentive can we give such corporations and government officials to be satisfied with the 5-10% and not tear into the remainder? Or is the only solution to increase prices and keep places secret? I worry that even that isn't a long-term solution. Again, really, really interesting subject, Cindy! Thanks~~
Thanks Michelle :) I think sadly that is the stage we are at in the world now, we know its past tipping point so if we can save pockets, we are doing the best we can. Ironic that Zoos are now the only place where Black Rhinos exist yet it was Zoos that started our fascination with exotic worlds and animals. We reaped what we sew. Thanks for your thoughts!
Problem makers I enjoyed this read a lot, as it is something I think about frequently. I don't have the luxury of long trips, being chained to a desk for far too long, so I fly a lot. Then when visiting very hot countries I gratefully and guiltily switch on the aircon. Despite being a frequent traveller I am often torn as to the "benefits" of tourism to local communities, ie whether my presence is ultimately helping in the destruction of the culture. I haven't come up with any answers other than to try to find sustainable tour operators, however I sometimes think it's just paying away some guilt. Anyway, a very thoughtful read and as always, so beautifully written!
The 'delicate dance of truly ecological sustainable tourism'... It's a discussion we seem to have all the time Cindy, and it's a difficult one. We seem to be good at maintaining a small footprint at home, but then we fly interstate and overseas at the drop of a hat... On the plus side there seem to be more ecotourism operators around than ten years ago, and that can only mean that the demand exists and is (hopefully) growing.
Excellent adventure! How fabulous and wise to make your dream come true--diving twice in a volcano and swimming with sweetlips (love that name)! Good for you for entering the vent--how many people have the nerve and skill to do that and to see what few have seen? Incredible video--what a great memory of your perfect day! Glad to hear that you're be going on another expedition--I look forward to diving with you again.
Nacional Grafica Wow Cindy...blog of the year...well I'll give it "dive blog of the year" without a doubt. I've snorkled in the crater of Kralatoa...but not a scratch on your fabulous dive. A video for the ages. Images therein that one couldn't imagine how amazing in real life. Looks like you have multiple lives. This blog clear you have been to Heaven...and returned to tell the tale. Obviously wasn't time to say adios...what on earth could be next?
Thanks Dave :) I know it was a long video but I was supremely lucky to have a photographer with Tim's credentials to record the moment......now you see me now you dont!.....I did a short dive in the Sangihe Archipeligo over some volcanic vents a few years ago but to actually enter the vent was something special. REALLY special. When I watch that footage I think maybe im either a little brave or a lot stupid or a combination of both!
Would I do it again? Hell YES! - after your email and a few other developments ive actually booked to go on another expedition with Tim and Co very soon.
Thank you so much!
Golden moments... Cindy I wholeheartedly agree about grasping those special moments, but I also think there's a skill in learning to make them happen for ourselves. And p.s. so many 'ring of fire' jokes, but I won't go there :)
LOL Ren :p Hah trust me some of those jokes went through my mind when I was inside the vent too. I actually did ponder trying to wriggle further in but then started laughing at the absurdity of that being written on my death certificate....Died inside a volcano underwater - cause of death - unquenchable thirst for adventure :)
What shall I do next?? I also know that was the closest I will ever get to a ''modelling gig" :D
Hiya :) I'm a 50 year old free spirited lady from Australia who just updated her profile because I realised i am no longer 46 and am also not Peter Pan. I like to spend life doing ridiculous things and have no intention of ever stopping. I've taken a year off to explore the planet and reward myself for well, years of work.. Im very much a seat of your pants traveller and totally irresponsible. Most of my travels are spur of the moment run away from home episodes and my teenage sons are cool with this. Im at peace with knowing riotous times dont have to stop when your supposed to have grown up... full info
Molly B
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more, more more please
Thanks for the journey but I want to read more, sitting on my lounge being transported to Madagascar, cannot wait for part 2