Nosy Be', Madagascar

Day 25, Thursday, 13th February 2020

Black Lemurs, fine rum, pepper and shrimp. Perfumes of exotic plants such as ylang ylang, patchouli and lemon grass perfume the island’s air.

What a fizzer! The ship dropped anchor in the bay of Nosy Be’ on a very warm and humid morning. We arrived early in the Vista Lounge to collect our tender tickets in readiness to disembark, hopefully on the first tender. The seas were ideal for transferring. The ship launched one tender while we waited for the port authorities to grant us access to land.

After an hour, a crowd, with their tender tickets, had gathered in the stairway foyer in enthusiastic anticipation. Then an announcement was broadcast to let us know the local health authorities would not grant us permission to enter. Apparently we had not completed 14 day quarantine since the last port (or country) which had the known Novel coronavirus. We were 12 days out from Thailand, 2 days short.

A couple of passengers we spoke with later on said they saw the ship flying a yellow flag whilst the discussion was taking place with Madagascan Authorities, and the tender which had been launched was to keep local canoe paddlers away from the ship.

Disappointment spread amongst us but there wasn’t anything we could do. It wasn’t long before a new revised Patter was printed for the day’s activities and the ship now sails onto Richards Bay, South Africa.

Locals coming over from neighbouring islands, maybe to see the ship or crew members on board. The hairdreser on board told Paul he was disppointed not to see his family here. He had arranged to meet up with them whilst in port.

                                                    Locals circling the ship.