Nosy Be Things to Do

Okay I am not really a fan of fishing since I rather like to see the fish alive whilst I am diving - but we were put on a fishing boat jetting between the islands. If this is your cup of tea and can certainly recommend it - since Sail Fishing is very big in Northern Madagascar. To my relief my collegues did not catch anything... so back to the market :-)

One of the best ways to discover the islands is on one of the luxury yachts or catamarans that operate in the region. We booked ours through an operator in South Africa and were treated to absolute luxury and adventure.

Being a subtropical region Nosy Be has got a lot of sugar cane. Hence the idea was formed in 1930 to import a colmplete rum distillery from Brazil, the building was broken down in Brazil and completley re-built on Nosy Be. Currently it is not operational - but I have been told that after June 2005 rum will once again be produced at that distillery.

Very colourful and the main area for the locals to shop is the market. Divided into a fruit & vegetable section, a section for fish, meat and other goods it makes it interesting to see what the locals eat and buy.

Nosy Be is also called the perfume island since perfume production or the production of essence is very big. The yellow Ylang Ylang flower is one of the products used in the production of perfume essence. The trees are bend to the ground to ensure easier picking of the flowers.

The French who colonized this part of the world were very keen to keep control over the islands as well as Madagascar, since it meant a certain control over the Southern Indian Ocean. Fortifications and guns can still be seen as they were left by the French when they ultimately departed.

Besides the ferry one also can negotiate with the local boat operators to be taken to one of the other islands. Most of the traffic from Hell Ville will probably go to either Nosy Komba or Nosy Tanikely the resort island which can be reached from here.

Being an island there are only two ways to arrive and leave - by boat or by plane. Most of the islands close by are only served by boat - the ferry in the picture being one of the more or less regular services.