Photo was my breakfast companion enjoying my left over mango.

I don't feel I've really explored the island of Nosy Be , but have felt a bit explored out, however i have enjoyed being here and at the hotel on the top of the hill- and I did what I came here to do which was dive.

The owners are not as forth coming as I would have liked or has been mentioned in the reviews- probably the language thing although they can speak English (and I haven't really made an effort).

Yesterday's two dives were great though, especially the first one which was very special. We went out for about 15 mins in a modern boat (much easier to get in and out of so no more bruises) to a beautiful spot. I rolled out of the boat tanked up backwards which always makes me feel like I'm in the movies for some reason. The visibility was excellent, about 20m and the amount of coral, fish, lobster (huge) and even a very large turtle having a good look at us then swimming off was wonderful. Pascal, the instructor who was ex militarily and great with me was brilliant- reassuring but not overly checking everything. As usual I used my air quite quickly - so I used his emergency air for about 10mins to extend the dive. Felt a bit like a horse - being connected to him by a hose in my mouth but it gave me more time. Need to learn to use less air...He said what we saw and the conditions made it a very special dive. Not very good at all the names of the fish yet so a note to self to get better and do a bit of studying up Back on the boat, we moved to another spot - had tea and home made biscuits while we waited for the time needed between dives. Second dive was not quite as good (would have been hard to top the first one) but I felt even more relaxed.

A French lady (Catrina) who happened to be in the chalet next to mine- also joined us and the other instructor Bruno for the dives. She was doing her last two dives for her advanced which I'm tempted to do at some point.

When we got back to shore and to the dive centre, we had beers. The mozzies then came out - I wasn't quick enough with the spray so have a few annoyingly itchy bites. Had a lovely time chatting to them, Pascal's wife and the friend of Catrinas joined us for drinks. a bit of English thrown in but mainly French. Then back just up the road to our hotel where the two ladies invited me to have dinner with them which was really relaxing and the first time since Mozambique. They ordered a bottle of Madagascan wine which they happily drank but I only managed a small glass - not very pleasant! Am I more discerning than the French?

Today, a lazy day - has rained a bit which is needed to cool things down, so happily reading, relaxing, catching up on emails on my verandah and by the pool before heading to Nosy Sakatia tomorrow. Apparently I just get a taxi (there I always one waiting in the parking lot?) to a specific beach and arrange with the lodge I'm staying in to send a boat to pick me up and take me the 10mins across to the island. Talking to the guys yesterday the dive centre is run by South Africans (English speaking???) with good diving and the possibility of seeing reef sharks.

I need to spend my last afternoon there on the phone to a conference call - the board meeting was extended - so just hope there will be mobile phone coverage.