Title – No Room Service
Date – August 2003
Location – Madagascar
The room service was some what lacking at this beach side lodge, in fact the services in the room were some what lacking. The toilet area was a treacherous walk across coral rocks and the shower (or should I say buckets) was rudimentary to say the least. The bed only had alternate slats underneath, so that the 2 inch mattress really didn’t ruin the pleasure of you being able to feel each slat grinding against your spine. But at least the room was private and I had it to myself, except for the usual bugs, spiders and crabs.
But there is an upside, open the door and you are looking straight onto the Indian Ocean. Get lucky and you can watch the Humpback whales cruise by (having completed their migration from Antarctica to this region in order to breed) while you sit on your doorstep.
Dreams normally come at a price and most of the time it’s one worth paying, as the rewards tend to outnumber the hardships considerably. Beyond The Blue has set up a Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop to help individuals prepare for their planed travels in a manner that the reduces the risks and hardships along the way.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
Title – Leaf Tailed Gecko
Date – August 2003
Location - Nosy Mangabe - Madagascar
The Leaf -tailed Gecko of Madagascar is incredibly difficult to spot against the background of a tree trunk and you will walk past ten times before you see it. But when you do and you get a little too close, be prepared for a shock. It will flare its jaws displaying the remarkably red interior to warn off potential predators.
Beyond The Blue trains individuals in personal safety techniques to protect themselves from possible attack. All our techniques are low impact and do not require the use of force. But more importantly we also cover the aspects of managing conflict and aggression and resolving it. On our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop, we look at the different in body language and in aggressive behaviour patterns, as well as emphasising the benefits of good communication.
Warning sign are there for a purpose, in what ever form they may appear. Reading them, will go a long way to making your journey a safe one.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
Title – Coffin Cave
Date – August 2003
Location - Madagascar
The Madagascan reburial ceremonies are, to say the least, unusual. But those that partake in these ceremonies believe that even after death their family members who died remain behind to play an active role in the family and they are regularly consulted in important family decisions. For a number of different reasons they sometimes perform reburial ceremonies moving the remains (which are washed and placed in a new shroud) from one location to another. During this time family may choose to come and speak, sing to or even dance with the remains, in order to ingratiate themselves with these higher bodies.
Beyond The Blue understands the need to have an open mind about the traditions and culture of countries you visit, but we emphasise throughout our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop the importance of respect. Even if you think that the local culture is a little extreme, understand that it has a place in the society where YOU are the visitor and appreciate the positive effect you can have on your host, by simply respecting what they believe.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
Title – Hansel & Gretel House
Date – August 2003
Location - Ile Sainte Marie - Madagascar
A spacious and well maintained detached bungalow (with converted loft space) situated in a very attractive and popular village location on the Ile (Island) Sainte Marie. Only 15 minutes drive to the capital of the island Ambodifotatra. The accommodation comprises of lounge and dining kitchen, two bedrooms (one also called lounge), fire central heating system, double glazing (One glaze mesh, second glaze shutter), detached bathroom, side driveway with ample grazing, attractive front and rear gardens. NO CHAIN.
£150 O.N.O.
Sometimes you just come across these houses and wonder where they got the idea from.
Beyond The Blue is a training company that offers Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop to help individuals to plan and undertake travel safely and with confidence.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
Title – Gaol
Date – August 2003
Location - Ile Sainte Marie - Madagascar
Worst case scenario, you get yourself in trouble (for any number of reasons) and find yourself locked up. What do you do?
You don’t have to be an international drug dealer to find yourself falling foal of the law, there are any number of reasons why you might end up behind bars, as far away from home as you have ever been. It may simply be that you were taking part in an act that is perfectly normal in your home country.
Recently the Malaysian parliament was discussing a new law to make it illegal to kiss in public. With sentences threatened of up to a year in gaol for anyone convicted, this innocuous activity could really land you in hot water. No doubt the Malaysians will be reasonably lenient with westerners, but it can still be the most frightening experience of your life.
The Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop run by Beyond The Blue, looks at what to do if you find yourself caught up in a nightmare like this. More importantly we also examine ways of avoiding it in the first place.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
Title – Off to Market
Date – August 2003
Location - Canal des Pangalanes – Toamasina - Madagascar
This is a typical scene in so many parts of the world, be it a bicycle, rickshaw or tuk-tuk you will simply not believe the amount of produce they can carry. I have seen bicycles with literally hundreds of live chickens hanging upside down, rickshaws effectively being used to move house and tuk-tuks filled with all the family members attending a wedding. There is no maximum weight limit in much of the world.
The Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshop covers many aspects of your travel planning and experiences you will encounter along the way. At Beyond The Blue we believe one of the most common mistakes made by the first time traveller is in what they pack for their trip. The savings we can help you achieve with the equipment you buy and over-pack, can often cover the cost of the workshop itself. Some will send the excess they pack home, some people will dump it; either way it can put a dent in your budget you can do without. We examine as part of our workshop what equipment you will need and what might be a little excessive, we also consider the effect that a heavy pack can have on your travel plans and your health over a long period of time.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
Title – Fishing Town
Date – August 2003
Location - Tamatave - Madagascar
Tourism is not a past time restricted to westerners although generally it is restricted to the rich. Tamatave is the Madagascan equivalent to Brighton and people flock from Antanarivo to escape the madness of that city. The long beach is by no means world class compared with others round the country, but watching locals being tourists in their own country is certainly an interesting angle to experience.
Here the local tourists watch the local locals fishing; getting your vantage point is something you have to fight for.
Beyond The Blue runs Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness workshops to help you prepare for the adventures you are planning in any part of the world. We strictly limit the numbers attending the course in order to ensure that the course is productive and all those attending achieve a positive learning experience.
Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com
Image – ©Peter Mayhew
