#mangily

[pinkguacamole]

From a few weeks ago in Mangily, Madagascar 🌞 I’m trying to hang onto the good vibes in a pretty scary time. #weareoneworld

[pinkguacamole]

Starting the New Year in Mangily-Ifaty, Toliara, Madagascar

Even though we live on a tropical island, not all trips to beaches are luxurious getaways in Paradise. But we decided to spend some money and start 2017 at a fancy-schmancy Beach Club on Ifaty Beach with a pool and some serene views.  

After spending too much time in the sun, none of us were able to muster up the energy to stay up until midnight on the 31st, but I did watch the last sunset of the year while standing in the tide. I am rarely on the west coast of Madagascar, and I grew up in a beach town in California, so west coast sunsets are really important to me. It was a fitting way to end the year. 

My friends and I made up for our lameness the night before by rising early on January 1st so we could go snorkeling. We loaded up into two outrigger canoes and glided over the stained-glass water. Once we were thrust into the wind, the Malagasy crew pulled over to a new beach and rigged up giant tarp sails. Once the jib was up, we flew across choppy windy water over to the reef. Soaring in an outrigger canoe made us all euphoric. I think this was the highlight of the trip for me.

Once we reached the reef, about a kilometer off of the coast, we dressed up in our fins and plopped into the channel. We dove down around the coral, looking for fishies. Unfortunately the color of the coral was quite brown and we did not see many bright fish. Just like many reefs around the world, this one was dead, or at least bleached and close to death. I don’t really know what to say... humans are really messing stuff up and climate change is not kind to marine life. Here is a list of ways we can all help to protect coral reefs in our daily lives: Nature.Org: Ways to Help Coral Reefs. In short, by conserving water and cutting down on our waste we can make the earth a little bit healthier and our oceans will be quite appreciative.

Once we had enough of a depressing global warming reality check, we spent our time bouncing up and down in the waves, taking silly photos. That is always fun too. 

On our way back to land, the canoes cruised as the Malagasy crews stood on the outside of the rigging to keep the boats balanced and afloat. It was super cool. When we reached the shore, one of the men on the canoe sat on the wooden wing and dropped his feet into the water to create a natural brake. 

After this excursion, we all felt pretty content that we were starting off the year in a nice way. And we had good pictures to prove it! Okay yes, it was just another day in Madagascar Paradise. 

Happy 2017 Everyone! May this year bring you many adventures! 

[pinkguacamole]

Jelly roll.

[pinkguacamole]

Serenity now!

[sinsistemacc]

Transportes que no contaminan. #Mangily #Ifaty #Madagascar #África #rutavd #RoadTrip (en Mangily Ifaty)

[sinsistemacc]

Paisajes llenos de Baobabs #Mangily #Madagascar #África #rutavd #BelAvenir (en Hôtel Solidaire Mangily)

[sinsistemacc]

Granja escuela de #BelaAvenir / @ongaguadecoco en #Mangily donde se enseña agricultura, ganadería y ecoturismo para el desarrollo. #Madagascar #África #DesarrolloSostenible #EcoTurismo #rutavd (en Hôtel Solidaire Mangily)

[everydaymadagascar-blog]

@Regrann from @reef_doctor - Our Junior Reef Doctors enjoying beach fun and games after learning about environmental sustainability and socially responsible living at 'Green School' in Mangily, SW Madagascar run by @ongaguadecoco Credit: RD Comms Officer Ivana Rubino #madagascar #mangily #education #igerstulear #reefdoctor #ifaty #conservation #everydaymadagascar #livelovemadagascar #beach #canon #canon_photos #canon_official #travel #instatravel #indianocean #volunteer #gapyear #sustainability #environment #Regrann