Travel Journal

Live the adventures of Dan Walker's travels through reading his travel journal. The travel journals are listed below in descending order of date. To search the travel journals, use the keyword search at the bottom of the page.

Journal Entry:

Trips | Istanbul to Bombay by ship 2000

Friday, November 24, 2000 02:50:26
Istanbul to Bombay by ship 2000: 6 One sea day saw us in Mayotte, which although a part of the Comoro Islands is very separate from the country of Comoros. Mayotte is a French possession, while the Comoros Islands have independent government noted for their frequent coups. This was the first port we visited where the ship could not dock, so the ship?s tenders were used to ferry everyone ashore. We were successful in finding someone with an aeroplane, but we were unable to get to Comoro, as the political situation would not permit the use of their airspace. We met up with Jens, and the four of us rented a taxi for five hours at a cost of 400 francs, or about $56. This turned out to be a better move than normal, as there was a virtual riot in the evening as masses of people demanded a refund of their $39 from the our the ship organized! It was apparently in buses with no air conditioning, first time guides who spoke little English and they didn?t see much to interest them. Tim had some data on the island which mentioned a waterfall, so the driver took us to a trail which lead through dense bamboo and other bush down to a deserted beach. On the way we saw a number of lemurs in the trees, including babies. The beach was golden sand, with a waterfall dropping over a cliff about 25-30 feet into a clear pool about six feet deep right on the beach. We had a great time swimming, then showering under the falls before returning to the car and finding a restaurant for a cold beer. There was little else to see other than a pretty island noted for its perfume flowers. The next morning we anchored off the small Madagascar Island of Nosy Komba. The Madagascar government required the ship to anchor a long way off shore, so it required a tender ride of about 25 minutes, a transfer to zodiacs, and then a run to the beach for a wet landing. Most of the population of the island turned out with something to sell. They were well organized - the path to go and see the lemurs was lined on both sides with table cloths, clothes, bedspreads and handicrafts. Marilynn was in her glory - she even made the return trip to the ship to get more money! After a swim in the clear water I headed back to the ship while Marilynn carried on shopping. Currently we are at sea for two days. Yesterday we passed close to the Providence Islands, and tomorrow we arrive at Victoria, capital of the Seychelles.

Friday, November 24, 2000 02:50:26

Istanbul to Bombay by ship 2000: 6

One sea day saw us in Mayotte, which although a part of the Comoro Islands is very separate from the country of Comoros. Mayotte is a French possession, while the Comoros Islands have independent government noted for their frequent coups.

This was the first port we visited where the ship could not dock, so the ship?s tenders were used to ferry everyone ashore. We were successful in finding someone with an aeroplane, but we were unable to get to Comoro, as the political situation would not permit the use of their airspace.

We met up with Jens, and the four of us rented a taxi for five hours at a cost of 400 francs, or about $56. This turned out to be a better move than normal, as there was a virtual riot in the evening as masses of people demanded a refund of their $39 from the our the ship organized! It was apparently in buses with no air conditioning, first time guides who spoke little English and they didn?t see much to interest them.

Tim had some data on the island which mentioned a waterfall, so the driver took us to a trail which lead through dense bamboo and other bush down to a deserted beach. On the way we saw a number of lemurs in the trees, including babies. The beach was golden sand, with a waterfall dropping over a cliff about 25-30 feet into a clear pool about six feet deep right on the beach. We had a great time swimming, then showering under the falls before returning to the car and finding a restaurant for a cold beer. There was little else to see other than a pretty island noted for its perfume flowers.

The next morning we anchored off the small Madagascar Island of Nosy Komba. The Madagascar government required the ship to anchor a long way off shore, so it required a tender ride of about 25 minutes, a transfer to zodiacs, and then a run to the beach for a wet landing. Most of the population of the island turned out with something to sell. They were well organized - the path to go and see the lemurs was lined on both sides with table cloths, clothes, bedspreads and handicrafts. Marilynn was in her glory - she even made the return trip to the ship to get more money! After a swim in the clear water I headed back to the ship while Marilynn carried on shopping.

Currently we are at sea for two days. Yesterday we passed close to the Providence Islands, and tomorrow we arrive at Victoria, capital of the Seychelles.