50 images Created 26 Feb 2013
Madagascar Journey
I started my epic journey at Madagascar’s largest sea port, Tamatave, and my first destinations were Isle Ste Marie, and Antongil Bay for the humpback whales and the Masoala Peninsula, the largest area of intact lowland rain forest remaining in Madagascar. I wasn’t prepared for just how exposed the long uninterrupted coastline on the east coast is, and I quickly fell victim to the huge ocean swells and the incessant surf pounding the exposed beaches. Landing and launching my fully laden, heavy kayak with a large open cockpit was going to be a regular challenge; I nearly lost everything on my first landing. I kayaked along stretches of isolated coastline that were completely off the beaten track and encountered people that had probably never ever seen any foreigners before. I found the people to be very curious about me, friendly and hospitable, but a little shy because it was a new experience for them.
I suffered a series of accidents along the way that left me with many debilitating sores that were very slow to heal. It was difficult to find adequate nutrition along the way for the physical demands of my journey. I was shocked not only by the de-forestation and habitat destruction that I encountered, but also by how degraded the marine habitats and coral reefs are; every morning I witnessed large numbers of local people walking all over the reefs, and foraging with sticks in a very destructive manner. I was also somewhat dismayed by the Masola Peninsula where I encountered a lot of intrusive slash and burn farming within the boundaries of the supposedly protected forest.
I suffered a very bad leg infection whilst exploring the streams of the Masoala Peninsula and had to paddle around the exposed outer coast under great discomfort to try to get to a doctor in the nearest town, Antalaha. Getting in and out of the abrasive, fringing coral reefs, that were being constantly pounded by heavy surf, presented me with the most harrowing of kayaking challenges along the way.
I suffered a series of accidents along the way that left me with many debilitating sores that were very slow to heal. It was difficult to find adequate nutrition along the way for the physical demands of my journey. I was shocked not only by the de-forestation and habitat destruction that I encountered, but also by how degraded the marine habitats and coral reefs are; every morning I witnessed large numbers of local people walking all over the reefs, and foraging with sticks in a very destructive manner. I was also somewhat dismayed by the Masola Peninsula where I encountered a lot of intrusive slash and burn farming within the boundaries of the supposedly protected forest.
I suffered a very bad leg infection whilst exploring the streams of the Masoala Peninsula and had to paddle around the exposed outer coast under great discomfort to try to get to a doctor in the nearest town, Antalaha. Getting in and out of the abrasive, fringing coral reefs, that were being constantly pounded by heavy surf, presented me with the most harrowing of kayaking challenges along the way.
