Hello friends, family and loved ones!
We are happy to say that we have made it! We are safely back home and what a month it has been...!
Mauritius ended well and for our last night the Rotary Club of Curepipe hosted us. It was a mad evening with marraige proposals to Tania, good chinese food and interludes of our national anthem and the likes of 'die padda wou gaan opsit met sy nooi in die vlei...' - apparently it has become a big hit in the Indian Ocean Islands...
So much has happened over this month and it feels very good to be home. There is lots to reflect on and take forward with us.
We'll try and put the last of pics on soon and some musings about what the trip has meant for us personally.
Until then, be awesome!
love and light,
The Team
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Saturday, 12 May 2007
Last one for today!
More pics from the island of Mauritius!
- The island is well known for its sugarcane plantations and it has a long and interesting history to it. We visited the Sugar museum, you have to go there when you visit the island...
- inside the museum, very informative!
- they need some serious tools for the job...
- a typical roadside scene of sugar plantations and they have a few small hills around that you can ascend
- alistar checking out the local basalt rock...they hurt the hands... this was on the coast, where a one of only two tour operators have rock climbing set-up's. outdoor sports or activities ranks very low on the recreation list...
- the infamous Pamplemousse Botanical gardens, the have a palm tree that flower once every hundred years and then dies after that...sad
- a night of Sega (local dance) on the beach at the Sugar Beach Hotel - unfortunately for us we did not get stay here, even though we wanted to so badly...
next time,
we will post some more before we leave on Tuesday morning next week. We have a day or two of fun in the sun left here on the island, we will make use of it!
until later, love to you all!
The Team
- The island is well known for its sugarcane plantations and it has a long and interesting history to it. We visited the Sugar museum, you have to go there when you visit the island...
- inside the museum, very informative!
- they need some serious tools for the job...
- a typical roadside scene of sugar plantations and they have a few small hills around that you can ascend
- alistar checking out the local basalt rock...they hurt the hands... this was on the coast, where a one of only two tour operators have rock climbing set-up's. outdoor sports or activities ranks very low on the recreation list...
- the infamous Pamplemousse Botanical gardens, the have a palm tree that flower once every hundred years and then dies after that...sad
- a night of Sega (local dance) on the beach at the Sugar Beach Hotel - unfortunately for us we did not get stay here, even though we wanted to so badly...
next time,
we will post some more before we leave on Tuesday morning next week. We have a day or two of fun in the sun left here on the island, we will make use of it!
until later, love to you all!
The Team
More Mauritius pics!
More Pics for all of you! Enjoy them!
- A visit to the club of Rose-Hill in the Centre of the island. We had dinner at the Indian Summer restaurant, the owner, a rotarian, opened it especially for us on that night...sweet of him!
- and early morning 7h45 meeting and presentation, we did not like getting up so early...
- the ceremonial flag exchanges keeps going...!
- At an evening dinner during the conference at the beautiful venue of Domaine Anna!
- The openening address by the District governer at the district conference
- and sampling the local coconuts...!
be awesome, love and light!
The Team
- A visit to the club of Rose-Hill in the Centre of the island. We had dinner at the Indian Summer restaurant, the owner, a rotarian, opened it especially for us on that night...sweet of him!
- and early morning 7h45 meeting and presentation, we did not like getting up so early...
- the ceremonial flag exchanges keeps going...!
- At an evening dinner during the conference at the beautiful venue of Domaine Anna!
- The openening address by the District governer at the district conference
- and sampling the local coconuts...!
be awesome, love and light!
The Team
Finally some photos!
Hello there!
Baie jammer oor ons onvermoe om die laaste paar dae fotos te plaas...ons vra nederig omverskoning...dankie!
We are terribly sorry for not having posted the last few days, it has been hectic, and we thought you would be even more jealous if we show you these pics...
they are all from our first day on the island, the club that hosted us took us to the Il aux cerfs, a small island off the coast, gorgeous, and after madagascar, it was a welcome escape!
- Josie enjoying the water
- and a few hours later enjoying the dancing with Viju...island style!
- Berns with a local brew in hand!
- And the girls catching up on their tans....!
- we did some work later that day...we promise, and had warm mauritian hospitality with the club of Flacq!
Baie jammer oor ons onvermoe om die laaste paar dae fotos te plaas...ons vra nederig omverskoning...dankie!
We are terribly sorry for not having posted the last few days, it has been hectic, and we thought you would be even more jealous if we show you these pics...
they are all from our first day on the island, the club that hosted us took us to the Il aux cerfs, a small island off the coast, gorgeous, and after madagascar, it was a welcome escape!
- Josie enjoying the water
- and a few hours later enjoying the dancing with Viju...island style!
- Berns with a local brew in hand!
- And the girls catching up on their tans....!
- we did some work later that day...we promise, and had warm mauritian hospitality with the club of Flacq!
- Local mode of transport for a lot of people!
See the other posts for more pics,
be awesome!
The Team
Monday, 07 May 2007
We have arrived!
Hello mense!
We hope that all of you are well and that you not missing us too much...whats the chances...? Groot jammer dat ons nou eers skryf... Sorry for only posting now, it has been a little crazy here and we dont get much time for ourselves.
We left Madagascar last Saturday late evening and arrived in Mauritius early Sunday morning, but not without some 'drama'... We got to the airport in Mauritius to collect our baggage and Helmien's bag was nowhere to be found...someone who has a similar bag took off with it, and left his own bag there...they had to phone him, tell him he took the wrong bag and must return it to us...needless to say we were angry...!
This is a very interesting island, and it has much more to it than what the tourist brochures and magazines make of it... With a few different cultural groups and religions, it makes for a diverse population. Depsite that, people are very tolerant of each other and the differences seems to be the thing that brings them together...
Mauritians are a warm, friendly, big-hearted bunch of people! So far we have had great hospitality from just about everybody that hosted us. Mauritius has 11 Rotary clubs and we will get to meet all of them.
Today is the official start of the District 9220 Conference. We have to attend and do a short presentation on what the GSE trip has been like, our learnings, insights, etc. Dont worry, we will dazzle them with our proudly SA brilliance!
Yesterday we visited the Pamplemousse Botanical Gardens and tasted some fresh coconut milk, straight from the coconut...and the vendor spoke to us in afrikaans...what do you know?
So please know that we are well and we will post some photos later on today!
lots of love from us all and come check later for pics.
The Team
(Tania, Josie, Bernie, Helmien and Alistar)
We hope that all of you are well and that you not missing us too much...whats the chances...? Groot jammer dat ons nou eers skryf... Sorry for only posting now, it has been a little crazy here and we dont get much time for ourselves.
We left Madagascar last Saturday late evening and arrived in Mauritius early Sunday morning, but not without some 'drama'... We got to the airport in Mauritius to collect our baggage and Helmien's bag was nowhere to be found...someone who has a similar bag took off with it, and left his own bag there...they had to phone him, tell him he took the wrong bag and must return it to us...needless to say we were angry...!
This is a very interesting island, and it has much more to it than what the tourist brochures and magazines make of it... With a few different cultural groups and religions, it makes for a diverse population. Depsite that, people are very tolerant of each other and the differences seems to be the thing that brings them together...
Mauritians are a warm, friendly, big-hearted bunch of people! So far we have had great hospitality from just about everybody that hosted us. Mauritius has 11 Rotary clubs and we will get to meet all of them.
Today is the official start of the District 9220 Conference. We have to attend and do a short presentation on what the GSE trip has been like, our learnings, insights, etc. Dont worry, we will dazzle them with our proudly SA brilliance!
Yesterday we visited the Pamplemousse Botanical Gardens and tasted some fresh coconut milk, straight from the coconut...and the vendor spoke to us in afrikaans...what do you know?
So please know that we are well and we will post some photos later on today!
lots of love from us all and come check later for pics.
The Team
(Tania, Josie, Bernie, Helmien and Alistar)
Sunday, 06 May 2007
Last of Madagascar...
Dear friends, family and loved ones!
Our time in Madagascar has come to an end. After 10 days of exploring some parts of the capitol, Antananarivo and surrounding areas we are tired!
Below is some of the last pics from the country, the places we visited and things happening to us...
- Lily's Chute (a waterfall) was without a doubt the most beautiful place we have seen in a long time. In fact Helmien liked it so much she decided to "koop grond". A few bruises but she is ok....
We visited one of the new clinics, and the doctor checked Helmien's blood pressure. Little bit one the low side, but it is probably the heat and lack of sleep taking its toll. Dont worry, she is fine!
On the 1st of May we were taken to a place called Montosoa. I do not think that I have seen a better waterskiing site ever in my life. All of us had an amazing time. Good food, unbelievable people, South African Overmeer wine, cigars... A sauna where Helmien spent most of the afternoon... Do I need to say more?
There is more to this post, we have to leave it here for now...
so we'll be back later for more!
love,
The Team!
Our time in Madagascar has come to an end. After 10 days of exploring some parts of the capitol, Antananarivo and surrounding areas we are tired!
Below is some of the last pics from the country, the places we visited and things happening to us...
- Lily's Chute (a waterfall) was without a doubt the most beautiful place we have seen in a long time. In fact Helmien liked it so much she decided to "koop grond". A few bruises but she is ok....
We visited one of the new clinics, and the doctor checked Helmien's blood pressure. Little bit one the low side, but it is probably the heat and lack of sleep taking its toll. Dont worry, she is fine!
On the 1st of May we were taken to a place called Montosoa. I do not think that I have seen a better waterskiing site ever in my life. All of us had an amazing time. Good food, unbelievable people, South African Overmeer wine, cigars... A sauna where Helmien spent most of the afternoon... Do I need to say more?
There is more to this post, we have to leave it here for now...
so we'll be back later for more!
love,
The Team!
Tuesday, 01 May 2007
Madagascar...a land of contrasts
Hello everybody! Goeiedag mense!
We have been in Antananarivo, Madagascar for 5 days now and we have officially passed our halfway mark for this trip... 15 days! woo hoo!
Since out last blog a few days ago, we have seen many different places and sights in and around Antananarivo (Tana). Some of it interesting, some not and more than often it has been reminders of our home country, South Africa. Madagscar has two extremes, rich or poor... no in between and sadly the latter rules.
Below is some of what we have seen or experienced in the last few days, in between meetings and scrumptious meals...
- a typical roadside vista: rice paddies in the foreground, most people grow their own rice or enough to sell to neighbours and friends
- a visit to a local plant nursery that specialises in indigenous plants and works with some of our nurseries back home also (the girls...as colourful as always!)
- an interesting project: a homeopathic pharmaceutical company, all the products are made from local plants and their dispensary is busy busy busy! they even do massages, manicures, etc. and have a few franchises in the city for easy access for people in the maze that is Tana...!
- we've even managed to squeeze in another game of petanque, shortly before a Rotary presentation. the guy in the right of the pic has been the national Madagascar petanque champ for the last few years now, it was an honour to play with him... he's flippin good! (check an earlier blog for more info on the game of petanque)
- A lunchtime meeting with a Rotary Club in Tana, the city has 9 clubs. A makeshift screen for our powerpoint presentation as demonstrated by Tania!
- One of the clubs treated us to an evening of traditional Malagasy dance and song, wow! The group that performed are well known in Madagascar and the event was a fundraiser for Rotary
- a visit to a historical park outside of the City, called Gasikara... short for Madagascar... You can only get their by boat. In the park they display the isand of Madagascar with all its cultures and customs. This is a private venture as their is not much government initiatives to conserve the history and culture of the island. Remind us to tell you the stories of the Queen of Madasgascar's antics when we see you again...
- us on the boat to the park... you gotta love orange lifevests/jackets/pfd's...whateva you wanna call them!
- a sample of a traditonal totem pole that used to be erected on women's graves, signifying her life's journey and marking the important events
- staple food: chicken, most people raise their own, and harvested rice being dried...
- a boy in one of the villages that we walked through. there are lots and lots of kids around, most of them not in school. many of them malnourished also.
- and in the midst of it all... a springbok rugby supporter... what do you know...
The days are long and sometimes we fall into bed tired. For all of us this trip challenges our perceptions of the world we live in and strectches us way beyond our comfort zones. Something is shifting within us...
Maybe reading this blog prods you to journey into your own perceptions...
Until later, be good and dont forget to be awesome!
love and light!
The Team
We have been in Antananarivo, Madagascar for 5 days now and we have officially passed our halfway mark for this trip... 15 days! woo hoo!
Since out last blog a few days ago, we have seen many different places and sights in and around Antananarivo (Tana). Some of it interesting, some not and more than often it has been reminders of our home country, South Africa. Madagscar has two extremes, rich or poor... no in between and sadly the latter rules.
Below is some of what we have seen or experienced in the last few days, in between meetings and scrumptious meals...
- a typical roadside vista: rice paddies in the foreground, most people grow their own rice or enough to sell to neighbours and friends
- a visit to a local plant nursery that specialises in indigenous plants and works with some of our nurseries back home also (the girls...as colourful as always!)
- an interesting project: a homeopathic pharmaceutical company, all the products are made from local plants and their dispensary is busy busy busy! they even do massages, manicures, etc. and have a few franchises in the city for easy access for people in the maze that is Tana...!
- we've even managed to squeeze in another game of petanque, shortly before a Rotary presentation. the guy in the right of the pic has been the national Madagascar petanque champ for the last few years now, it was an honour to play with him... he's flippin good! (check an earlier blog for more info on the game of petanque)
- A lunchtime meeting with a Rotary Club in Tana, the city has 9 clubs. A makeshift screen for our powerpoint presentation as demonstrated by Tania!
- One of the clubs treated us to an evening of traditional Malagasy dance and song, wow! The group that performed are well known in Madagascar and the event was a fundraiser for Rotary
- a visit to a historical park outside of the City, called Gasikara... short for Madagascar... You can only get their by boat. In the park they display the isand of Madagascar with all its cultures and customs. This is a private venture as their is not much government initiatives to conserve the history and culture of the island. Remind us to tell you the stories of the Queen of Madasgascar's antics when we see you again...
- us on the boat to the park... you gotta love orange lifevests/jackets/pfd's...whateva you wanna call them!
- a sample of a traditonal totem pole that used to be erected on women's graves, signifying her life's journey and marking the important events
- staple food: chicken, most people raise their own, and harvested rice being dried...
- a boy in one of the villages that we walked through. there are lots and lots of kids around, most of them not in school. many of them malnourished also.
- and in the midst of it all... a springbok rugby supporter... what do you know...
The days are long and sometimes we fall into bed tired. For all of us this trip challenges our perceptions of the world we live in and strectches us way beyond our comfort zones. Something is shifting within us...
Maybe reading this blog prods you to journey into your own perceptions...
Until later, be good and dont forget to be awesome!
love and light!
The Team
Sunday, 29 April 2007
Madagascar news!
Dear family, friends and loved ones!
Finally we have some time and an internet connection for a little while...to let you know what we have been up to and to show you some pics from the country!
Madagascar is a strangely beautiful country, with so much diversity and rich cultures. What has been most obvious to us, has been the contrast between where we came from, the 'land of plenty' in Reunion, into a 'land of challenges' in Madagascar... people are extremely poor and yet most of them seem to be content with their lives...
Our last few days here have been great, the people are friendly and warm and the island is so huge that we will unfortunately not be able to make a visit to the gorgeous coast...
Below is some pics that were taken on the first day here in Antananarivo, the capitol of Madagascar.
- Home for 10 days...
- Us at our Hotel with some of the Rotarians that welcomed us the airport (the guy in the middle next to Josie is 'Souf Efrican'...)
- the view from our Hotel, Le Relais de la Haute Ville... and in the foreground is the church that's next door, where we run a few laps... some mornings...)
- The National broadcasting station that we were privileged to see, which also houses the national radio station (below). They were busy with a recording of a local music group during our visit...
- the local bicycle shop...
- All dressed up and ready for our first Rotary club meeting and presentation in Madagascar. After the formalities and dinner, we got the house rocking with some karaoke! Malagasians love their Karaoke!
Being in Madagascar means that you have to check out the Lemurs - 'primates that look something like a cat crossed with a squirrel and a dog'... they are indigenous to Madagascar. Did anyone see the animated movie Madagascar?
Day 2 saw us visiting the Lemur park a few kilometres outside of Tana, a beautiful sanctuary!
Here's some pics of what they look like (follow the links to see more info on the lemurs)
We have another busy week ahead of us with visits to some hospitals, businesses, Rotary Clubs and maybe a day to ourselves to check out some more of the country!
So we will be back soon with more pics and stories!
laugh, love, live!!!
The Team
Finally we have some time and an internet connection for a little while...to let you know what we have been up to and to show you some pics from the country!
Madagascar is a strangely beautiful country, with so much diversity and rich cultures. What has been most obvious to us, has been the contrast between where we came from, the 'land of plenty' in Reunion, into a 'land of challenges' in Madagascar... people are extremely poor and yet most of them seem to be content with their lives...
Our last few days here have been great, the people are friendly and warm and the island is so huge that we will unfortunately not be able to make a visit to the gorgeous coast...
Below is some pics that were taken on the first day here in Antananarivo, the capitol of Madagascar.
- Home for 10 days...
- Us at our Hotel with some of the Rotarians that welcomed us the airport (the guy in the middle next to Josie is 'Souf Efrican'...)
- the view from our Hotel, Le Relais de la Haute Ville... and in the foreground is the church that's next door, where we run a few laps... some mornings...)
- The National broadcasting station that we were privileged to see, which also houses the national radio station (below). They were busy with a recording of a local music group during our visit...
- the local bicycle shop...
- All dressed up and ready for our first Rotary club meeting and presentation in Madagascar. After the formalities and dinner, we got the house rocking with some karaoke! Malagasians love their Karaoke!
Being in Madagascar means that you have to check out the Lemurs - 'primates that look something like a cat crossed with a squirrel and a dog'... they are indigenous to Madagascar. Did anyone see the animated movie Madagascar?
Day 2 saw us visiting the Lemur park a few kilometres outside of Tana, a beautiful sanctuary!
Here's some pics of what they look like (follow the links to see more info on the lemurs)
We have another busy week ahead of us with visits to some hospitals, businesses, Rotary Clubs and maybe a day to ourselves to check out some more of the country!
So we will be back soon with more pics and stories!
laugh, love, live!!!
The Team
Friday, 27 April 2007
Last Reunion pics
Hi everybody!
Here's the last of it, we promise. The internet connection is very slow in Tana, so we can only upload a few pics at the time.
Enjoy, Madgascar pics soon.
love,
The Team
- beauty in the weirdest places
- Tania and Helmien trying to work off all the food...
- A nursery we visited...
- And again, a beer factory, local southern Reunion beer...we had a good brew...
(and we are not alcoholics..)
Here's the last of it, we promise. The internet connection is very slow in Tana, so we can only upload a few pics at the time.
Enjoy, Madgascar pics soon.
love,
The Team
- beauty in the weirdest places
- Tania and Helmien trying to work off all the food...
- A nursery we visited...
- And again, a beer factory, local southern Reunion beer...we had a good brew...
(and we are not alcoholics..)
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