Tag: beach

Categories
Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Havelock Island

Havelock Island, with an area of 113.93 km², is the largest of the islands which comprise Ritchie’s Archipelago a chain of islands to the east of Great Andaman in the Andaman Islands. Havelock is situated 57 km North East of Capital City Port Blair. The population numbered 5,354 as of the census of 2001.

The island is named after Henry Havelock, a British general active in India. The island’s current population consists of Bengali settlers.
It is one of the few places that the administration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands union territory of India has permitted and encouraged development of tourism, with a focus on promoting eco-tourism.
Havelock Island avoided much of the devastation which was visited upon most of the shores affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and its resultant tsunami, and there were no documented casualties.

Beach No. 7 on the western coast, better known as “Radha Nagar” Beach, is one of the most popular beaches on Havelock and was named “Best Beach in Asia” by Time in 2004. Other notable beaches include Elephant Beach on the northwest coast and Vijaynagar Beach (No. 5), Beach No. 3 and Beach No. 1 on the east coast.Barren Island (coordinates: 12°16′N 93°51′E) is located in the Andaman Sea, one of the most easterly of the Andaman Islands. It is the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia. Along with the rest of the Andamans, it is a part of the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and lies about 135 km (84 mi) northeast of the territory’s capital, Port Blair. The first recorded eruption of the volcano dates back to 1787. Since then, the volcano has erupted more than ten times, with the most recent one which started in May 2008.

Source: Wikipedia (under GNU Free Documentation License)

Categories
Tanzania

Bwejuu Island

It was not easy to reach the island and even more difficult to leave it. The waves on the ocean were so big that our little boat was covered with showers of water all the time. But it was worth that, Bwejuu is the most beautiful island in the Mafia archipelago thanks to its position and its sandy banks, Bwejuu Island is less than 2 kms long and no more than 200 meters wide at its widest point.


Categories
Tanzania

Mafia Island II

That was my second trip to this Island – absolutely not planned. I have spent almost all the time under water and that was beautiful experience. Once more (this exception – I never publish links on my page) I recommend: www.shambakilolelodge.com. Francesca and Marco – Thank you

Mafia Island (“Chole Shamba”) is part of the Tanzanian Spice Islands, together with Unguja and Pemba. As one of the six districts of the Pwani Region, Mafia Island is governed from the mainland, not from the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar, of which it has never been considered to be a part.

According to the 2002 Tanzania census, the population of the Mafia District was 40,801.The economy is based on fishing, subsistence agriculture and the black market. The island attracts some tourists, mainly adventure scuba divers, game fishermen, and people wanting relaxation.

The Mafia archipelago consists of one large island (394 km²) and numerous smaller ones. Some of these are inhabited, such as Chole Island (2 km²), with a population of 800. Chole Bay, Mafia’s protected deep-water anchorage and original harbour, is studded with islands, sandbanks and beaches. The main town is Kilindoni. The stretch of water between the deltas of the Rufiji River and the island is called Mafia Channel. There are popular rumours of pygmy hippo on the island but there are zero confirmed sightings.

Source: Wikipedia (under GNU Free Documentation License)

Categories
Maldives

Maldives

That was short cruise in the Maldives. I have visited Male Atoll, South Male Atoll, Ari (Alifu) Atoll, Felidhe (Vaavu) Atoll, Dhangeti, Guraidhoo, Dhigurah. The worst trip from all of my expeditions. Yet, I have seen the pictures of the country that are different than usually presented.

The Maldives (Listeni/ˈmɒldaɪvz/ or /ˈmɒldiːvz/), (Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ, Dhivehi Raa’je), officially Republic of Maldives (Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ, Dhivehi Raa’jeyge Jumhooriyya), also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India’s Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and Chagos Archipelago. It stands in the Laccadive Sea, about 700 kilometres (430 mi) south-west of Sri Lanka and 400 kilometres (250 mi) south-west of India. During the colonial era, the Dutch referred to the country as “Maldivische Eilanden” in their documentation, while “Maldive Islands” is the anglicised version of the local name used by the British, which later came to be written “Maldives”.

The archipelago is located on top of the Chagos-Maldives-Laccadive Ridge a vast submarine mountain range in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives also form a terrestrial ecoregion together with the Chagos and the Lakshadweep. The atolls of the Maldives encompass a territory spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 sq mi), making it one of the world’s most dispersed countries in geographic terms. Its population of 313,920 (2010) inhabits 200 of its 1,192 islands. Maldives’ capital and largest city Malé had a population of 103,693 in 2006. It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll, in the Kaafu Atoll. It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King’s Island where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties were enthroned.

Source: Wikipedia (under GNU Free Documentation License)

Categories
Comoro Islands

Anjouan

Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an autonomous island, part of the Union of Comoros. The island is located in the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Mutsamudu and its population as of 2006 is about 277,500. The total area of the island is 424 sq. kilometers (163 sq. mi.).

Source: Wikipedia (under GNU Free Documentation License)

Categories
Comoro Islands

Mohéli

Mohéli, also known as Mwali, is one of the three islands which make up the nation of Comoros. Mohéli is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is by far the smallest of the Comoros islands. Its population, as of 2006, is about 38,000. Its capital city is Fomboni. Its main ethnic group, as on the other Comoros islands Grande Comore and Anjouan as well as the French territory Mayotte, is the Comorian ethnic group, a synthesis of Bantu, Arab, Malay and Malagasy culture, and the main religion is Sunni Islam.

Source: Wikipedia (under GNU Free Documentation License)

Categories
Kenya

Ngazin Island

In order to reach the island, we canoed across the bay, which was pretty easy but turned much more difficult in the end. This island is hardly ever visited and the bush overgrew the paths long time ago. I tried to find the way out together with my guide but acacia’s thorns were everywhere and they fiercely guarded every square inch of land. After many attempts to move forward, my guide was so unlucky that he cut his leg with acacia’s thorns and blood poured down his leg. Then, I decided to retreat. On our way back we were caught in a tropical thunderstorm. We did not manage to cross the island but the views were fabulous. I was probably the first Pole to have visited the island and, in the guide’s opinion, one of few people from outside Africa.

Categories
Kenya

Kiwayu Island

An easily accessible island with only two villages. The bigger one has a school and is inhabited by about 400 people, the smaller one is situated about 90 minute-journey away and is inhabited by about 100 people. The children go to school through the bush. The natives live very modest lives but they take particular care of cleanliness. I had a very long and interesting conversation with one of my boat cox’s wives in the bigger village. We talked about different religions and politics. It was a unique experience for me to sit in a simple hut and talk to such an intelligent woman.

Categories
Kenya

Kiwayu

I came up with the idea of a journey to Kiwayu right after I came back from Lamu this year in March. I was amazed by this archipelago and I felt I needed to go back. I can describe Kiwayu as a place where a lovely wind still blows (it is important because the huts do not have any doors or windows and they are air-conditioned in a natural way), and you can meet thousands of red crabs on the beach.

It is a tremendous place where very friendly and helpful owners of Kivayu Safari Village live.

Categories
Bissagos Islands Guinea-Bissau

Ilheu do Meio

Meio – a deserted island with beautiful beaches. Huge and majestic kapok trees growing among palm trees are distinctive features of the island. Amazingly, there are hardly any birds even though the island is situated quite close to a popular breeding site, namely Cavalos island.