Latest Update

29 November 2007

Just had an update from both Simon and Phil, two seperate telephone messages which I am not sure of the date of. I left my phone in Israel and only got it back today, 17 answer phone messages along with 65 emails, perched in amongst them all was a call from the lads, first Simon telling me that they were now on the east coast, making their way down the inside of many reefs to avoid the surf. The surf isnt big and is amazingly clean, They've seen numerous Turtles and a pod of Bottle nose Dolphins, they had managed to make about 40 kilometers before landing on a deserted beach for the night.

Phils message I think was the next day, more Dolphins (not Bottle nose) more Turtles and they were trying to make as many miles as they could whilst they had such good conditions, that night they were spending the night on their own little island.

Well done guys and happy paddling!

Thank You Peter

Two days ago we met peter on an island in the middle of nowhere. he asked us to call him when we passed near his house. today we did and so we followed his instructions to paddle to ramena and ask for ali. Peter picked us up and arranged for us to stay in the finest hotel in diego suarez, TheGrand Hotel. He also gave us his computer to update the reports. We are very greatful of his support. we rounded the cap du nord today. lots of tide and a very different feel to the envionment with swells and amore rugged coast.
Photo Ali,Phil and Simon

Office du Tourismè

The office du tourismè in diègo suarèz have been a huge help.  today we visited their offices with Peter.  This is an amazing region of Madagacar with far more to see and do than we can possibly squeeze into our time.

coral reefs

we had to make a big divesion today to make it around an amazing coral reef due to the low spring tides

thieving crabs

Last night we left our pots and pans out as usual after dinner only to wake up in the morning to find Phils spoon missing. we have a good idea of the susspect and have supplied a photo ID.

25/11/07

25/11/07
We left camp this morning hoping to round the most northerly point, but came across an unexpected sandbar which made things difficult, as we had to go a long way out to avoid the current it created. The sand bar was really beautiful, full of coral, fish and crystal clear water.
We then managed to head closer to shore where there are loads of unusual lime stone formations, making it tricky to land, we managed to fine a small spot to pitch camp.
All going well we will round the most northerly point tommorrow and start heading south....Whooo

news of phil & simon in north of madagascar

If you WANTED for two young man, lost in a small archipel in the north of Madagascar, who call NOSY HARA,

I found them for you....

I was just looking the sea to try to understand the place of man of the world..., very far from all the civilisation.

In fact you need 2 hours by car and two more hours by boat to find this place.

So I was looking, and I sea 2 kayaks, passing just in front of me.

 

Fews seconds after I meet phils and simon.

We spend time with then, their feel a little be tired, but it was ok, after a good lunch, diner and some punch.

I leave this morning to diego suarez, and their leave to CAP D'AMBRE the northest point of Madagascar.

 

I never imagine to see people with small canoes, arrived in this island.

Courage, Determination, volonté, thanks a lot, for the lesson.

See you

 

Peter ( a french man who leave in Diego Suares)

 

PS: if you looking for the island, where your friend stop, forget it didn't exist...

someplace in the world, need to be as a sacred & secret place.

24/11/07

24/11/07
Set off north again today but were slowed down by head winds. Landed on a remote island to find a small adventure/climbing company set up there. They invited us into their campsite for the night and fed us, it was a fantastic place- www.newsearoc.com.
May get around the north point tommorrow if the wind and tide allow us.

23/11/07

23/11/07
Yesterday we left Nosy be and did an open water crossing to a deserted island, we pitched camp there and saw amazingly big fruit bats flying around in the mango trees.
Tommorrow we will cross back to the mainland.

Thanks to Amarina hotel for sending these photos for us.

Envoi d'un message : IMGP0190.JPG, IMGP0121.JPG

Nosy Be

8 days of paddling and we have made it to our first resupply stop. So far the expedition has gone smoothly and the locals have been nothing but friendly and helpful. The paddling has been varied although we did manage to get board paddling past perfect white sandy beaches

After a while the coastline changed and we started to see cliffs and coves. The coast was dotted with small fishing villages consisting of a few mud huts. The heat has been our main difficulty which has taken a while to adjust to. It has become aparent straight away that we will not be able to make the full journey in our 90 day visa and so are planning to break the circumnavigation into two sections returning next year to complete.

Madagascar Update

18 November 2007

Just had an update through from Phil to say that they have experienced their first big storm of the rainy season, it came in last night, heralded by loud claps of thunder and bolts of lightening.

They are only one day away from Nosey Be where they will be re-supplying on provisions etc.

Madagascar Update

Friday November 16/2007

Hi Guys, just had another update in from Phil and Simon today, they are making good progress, crossed out to an off lying island yesterday, and back to the mainland today, whether this was for interest or part of their route plan I'm not sure as some of the messages are coming through with a lot of background interferance. The weather is hot, 32 degrees at 9am, but they are gradually acclimatising to the heat and humidity. They met a local on landing back on the mainland today who gave them some sweet potatoes to supplement their diet. Karel Vissel from Israel is providing them with very good weather forcasts, so a big thankyou Karel, I hope I've spelt your name correctly. During the last couple of days they have started to see much more wildlife, including Sea Turtles and Lemurs.

Madagascar Update

14/11/2007

Hi guys, had an answer phone message from Simon and Phil today to say that they had completed their first days paddling. Many fishing boats out on the water, the locals were very friendly and the climate very hot and humid which is making sleeping uncomfortable. They've had many sand bars and estuaries to cross which at times have been a little difficult. I am looking forward to getting some images up as soon as possible so keep checking back for further updates. JA

11/11/07

11/11/07
We have decided to set off in the morning, we spent the day buying supplies.
Amazing markets with increadibly friendly locals. We are both aprehensive so need to get started.
Its very hot and humid.

10/11/07

10/11/07
We havejust arrived in mahajanga tonight, this is our start point.
We will stock up on food from the local market tommorow morning and then head off!

9/11/07

9/11/07
We have just arrived safe and well to Antananarivo. The kayaks made it through ok, and we have already arranged for a lift north to our start point. Everyone seams friendly and helpful, we are both tired but looking forward to the drive north.

Check in

We have been worried about getting the kayaks onto the flight since the very begining. We have now gone through the check in process and our kayak have been accepted by air france. All we have to do now is hope that they arrive in 3 pieces in Madagascar later today.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Pre departure preperation

 

We leave for Heathrow tonight at 10pm to fly out first thing in the morning.  The day was spent playing with the new sea kayaking uk 3 piece kayaks and packing them ready for the flight.  It was a hard task to get the weight right and we have ended up with in total 120kg between us including the kayaks.  Lets hope we have everything!

Here we go.....

Off we go!

Kayak Madagascar 7 days and counting

We fly on Friday 9th Nov at 06:40 for Antananarivo the capital of Madagascar. The last few weeks have been filled to the brim with phone calls and emails to put the last minute organisation together. THe sat phone has arrived so that we can recieve weather forecasts and send progress reports home. This and other technologies have dramatically changed expeditions over the past few years. We are both looking forward to the expedition and cant wait till the kayaks are on the water. We have alot of hurdles to jump befor that can happen. The biggest challenge to start is flying the 2 three piece explorers out on the plane as our luggage. Lets keep lots of fingers crossed. They have told us that there should be no problems!

Thats all for now keep watching for updates.