Vanuatu – Volcanoes, Ocean and Culture
In our bungalow on the remote Tanna island, we saw and heard the Mt. Yasur volcano erupting several times every hour. The next day we drove through the desolate and windswept ash field in front of the volcano. As we looked at the stairs to the rim, we felt rumblings, smelled sulfur and saw plumes. […]
Mauritius – Water Sports, Mountains and Blend of Cultures
Introduction We were looking forward to going to Mauritius to explore and relax after weeks of exhausting travel in Madagascar. After all, it is famous for its watersports… eye-catching mountains… and colonial architecture. We knew it was culturally diverse, but it really hit us on our first day when we were lost in a forested […]
Madagascar Road Trip – Avenue of the Baobabs and Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park
Introduction Madagascar split off from Africa and India about 160 million years ago resulting in the evolution of a staggering variety of endemic animals and plants. Living in this awesome biodiversity is a unique culture mixing elements of South Asia and East Africa. It is no wonder that Madagascar is on the essential destinations-list for […]
Madagascar Road Trip – Ranomafana and Isalo National Parks
Introduction Madagascar has incredible biodiversity, few countries in the world rival it. This distinctiveness alone is enough to justify traveling there. However, that is not the whole story. It has a fascinating culture, mixing Asian and African elements. In addition, photographers are enthralled with the country’s majestic and diverse landscapes. One of the best ways […]
Madagascar Road Trip – Antananarivo to Andasibe
Introduction For decades, Madagascar was on my bucket list. I had seen pictures of breathtaking mountain and forest landscapes. I was enthralled by the fact this island separated tens of millions of years ago from Africa and India and its flora and fauna evolved differently than the rest of the world. I pictured a giant […]
