Photos will follow soon waiting for better Internet !
It's been a pretty intense week out here, lots of research had to be done, a lot of work around camp and sadly a few goodbyes to those leaving us :-(
Science wise I have started doing BSPs (Baseline Survey Protocol) and active searches this week as now I have passed two of my exams. The surveys are great basically a 45 minute dive just looking to find as much marine life as possible. It's interesting how much more you see when you are looking for specific things oppose to just doing a recreational dive.
A few of us jumped at the opportunity to do the Lokobe adventure tour where the village boat dropped us off in the water off the Lokobe Reserve, there we snorkelled along the coast admiring the gorgeous reef and plenty of sea life. Then we made our way to the beach to have a long walk back to camp passing some of the sites which our foresters are surveying so lots of snakes, lemurs etc.
After the fun of the adventure tour some serious research was needed and just as expected fate decided to try its hardest to make our lives as hard as possible. Firstly a lack of fuel meant the original site had to be cancelled, secondly a mix up on the compressor left only half the tanks filled so we had to half the people diving. As if this wasn't all enough once we got the engine attached and setup she refused to fire, after a lot of effort the dive was aborted, everyone doffed the kit started to relax but I didn't want to be defeated by an engine... So after some tinkering and bodging we gave her one more pull and the beast came to life ! As expected all our divers weren't happy to kit up again but it was worth it for a great dive on Black Rocks.
Had some great nights this last week as well, with a moon light boat ride to Phillipes and an amazing party night with a dance competition with the locals great steak and plenty of beer!
But the weekend has to have been the best part of my trip so far, straight on the village boat to Hell Ville on Saturday morning with a few others. Nice walk through the town to find our hotel (Bell View) to find a great surprise for me and Fred who had booked a 50k room but there were none left so we managed to get upgraded for free!! Air-con, a real shower, real toilet, T.V ! and an amazing view. I must say living on camp really makes you appreciate the simple things.
After a breakfast of chips we flagged a cab crammed 6 people in and made our way to La Petit Cascades, an amazing waterfall with a nice 30min walk from the main road through local villages rewarded by an ice cold swim an some playing around on the rocks (although I didn't manage to build the courage to do the 25 meter jump so having to go back this weekend).
Then it was off to Zee Burger for a crazy meal, proper cheese burger and chips with fresh pineapple juice :-). After a still along the beach it was back to town to stock up on some treats from the supermarket and get the Gin in for party night 2 of the weekend. After drinks in our room we went to Ship Bar to meet the rest of the Frontier crew, a few more beers then we braved the infamous discotech (only club in Nosy Be). It's safe to say the night was an experience and like nothing I have ever done before! What I thought was going to be a little dark dinky bar was actually a full on rave in a massive club with a view of the beach decent system and very friendly locals.
Having avoided a hang over somehow it was time for a trip to the beach in the morning for fresh mango and banana for breakfast a lovely swim in the crystal clear water and scoping out some quad bikes for next weekend.
Finally the week was finished in possibly the best way, Chris and I decided to organise a sausage and chips night so after buying out the supermarkets supply of zebu sausages and peeling lots of potatoes Fred and I go the BBQ going and we all had an amazing feast!!!
Sadly it was also a week of goodbyes to staff and volunteers that had to return to the real world but glad to have met them all and can't wait to get back to UK to catch up with everyone :-)
So all in all a great week and can't wait for the next 5 !!!