Nosy Be: 1 Mar 2008 to 2 Mar 2008

Inhale deeply as you arrive on Nosy-Bé and you quickly realize why it is called the “Island of Perfumes.” Dense tropical vegetation intersperses with Ylang Ylang plantations; coffee trees and sugar cane alternate with the spicy aroma of the pepper plant. Spectacular beaches and coral reefs caress the island’s outer limits. Tempt your palette with scrumptious oven-fried, algae-wrapped shellfish or a taste of rum at the distillery in Djamandjary. For a glimpse into island life, there are the rustic markets in curiously named Hell-Ville, hometown to half of the island’s population.

Five thousand lemurs await on nearby Nosy Komba, easily accessible by boat. Some of these primates are so accustomed to humans they will settle on your shoulder and eat bananas straight from your hand. A deeper look into the jungle reveals wild lemon, orange, banana, papaya and mango trees, not to mention the occasional sunbathing chameleon.