Around Africa - Transit in Gulf of Aden

Well, there is nothing major here except for the fact that we're heading Middle East and there's no other route than going through the Gulf of Aden.

And why is this such a big deal? My dear, going to Gulf of Aden means passing by SOMALIA. It would have been alright if it would take us several hours only but my gosh, 3 freaking days is the journey time.

Onboard, there were security drills made by the crew and passengers alike. Security was tightened. In times like this, all we can do is pray that we will pass through and arrive in our next destination  safely.

And thank God for the successful transit.

Around Africa - Praslin Island, Seychelles

The next day of our journey was to Praslin Island! One of the best places to explore in Seychelles! As I'm not really a beach person, and we need tender boats to go there, I was not really enticed to really go out. But, I preferred to go anyway just to buy souvenirs.

But as we waited for the tenders, we talked with other crews and we ended up joining them on their way to the beach. There was no city center you can actually explore so it was a good idea to see nature's wonders (even if I'm not into them).

So off we go to one of the world's best beaches, Anse Lazio!

It's a 30-minute drive to this widely-known stretch.


And you will really be in for a big surprise!

I haven't tried dripping in the water but still enjoyed it! I went back with no regrets at all.

Around Africa - Zanzibar, Tanzania

The next stop of our African adventure is Tanzania! If this place is not familiar to you, maybe Freddie Mercury is! He was born in Zanzibar.

I went on tour and our first ever stop was the Old Market. A typical market that sells raw meat, spices and dry goods. Just seeing everyday life here is quite a sight. Everyone's sooo busy!

We stopped by this door. You would pretty much see this in most of Zanzibar's souvenirs.

Then, we went to the world's last slave market. See what it turned out to be.

                                       


                                    

                                        

Can you imagine this altar as the former whipping post? I could not.

We were soooo aghast with the fact that slavery was really made a business before.

We went on the bus to our next destination, the Palace Museum which used to be the former Sultan's home.

On our way to the museum, we passed by Freddie Mercury's home. See the yellow building in the middle?

Here's what you would see in the Museum.

                                      

After around 20 mins, we walked to the House of Wonders. It's named that way because it's the first ever structure in Zanzibar to have electricity and water connection.

Walking further, you would be able to see the old fortress, a world heritage site. It used to be a prison back in the 19th century, a railway station in the 1930's and now is the home to the Zanzibar International Film Festival.

We crossed the street and walked in the park before going back to the bus.

Our last stop is a village up in the rural part of Zanzibar. You will practically be rotated in various houses with different things in store for you.

We went back to the ship after an amazingly immersing 4-hr adventure.

Around Africa - Diego Suarez, Madagascar

The name of the place may have been made popular by a movie. I like to move it move it! Haha

Well, since the movie casts soo many animals on it, I actually expected to find them here. But this country is soo big I actually didn't see a lot of them.

Madagascar is the world's 4th largest island. It is so rich naturally that 90% of the earth's biodiversity can only be found in Madagascar alone! So, off we go!

I went out with Ms. Liza and Pangs who I luckily met at the gangway. They were looking for a companion to go and see the Bao Bab trees. We hired a taxi to this particular nature park.

We arrived and a lot of people flocked in to sell their souvenirs. Gosh! We have yet to see the place. C'mmon people. Haha

We paid the entrance of 10 euros each. Then the guide led the way. We went up the hill, passed through a stream and found a tree. I was expecting them to line up somewhere but all in all, we found only 3! Up the hill, they are not that visible actually because a lot of of other trees cover them up.

We descended and took a pic with this instead.

There's also a chameleon and a lemur you can take pics on.

Then we finally bought souvenirs. This was the hardest part as the people would really insist!

We were a bit disappointed of that supposed tour. The view however, compensates it.

See you again hopefully next year!