Arriving in Anadavadoaka is not something for which you can really prepare. Having travelled for nearly 4 days from home in London expectations are pretty high, but safe to say it was definitely worth it! On arrival everyone seemed in awe of the idyllic location and beachfront huts where they were to spend the next 6 weeks. For myself, arriving as a staff member having worked as an intern in the London office, you would have thought I’d be ready for it all, but the photos do not really do it justice, and in reality the view from my hut is simply breathtaking.
Settling in to my new home has been both a joy and a challenge, but one that I have accepted readily. The odd cockroach is certainly outweighed by the presence of small geckos, lizards and chameleons- their characteristic squeaking noise and penchant for mosquitoes makes them welcome house guests.
The first meal was a welcome surprise having been warned to prepare myself for months of rice, beans and fish. Imagine my surprise when along with said rice, beans and fish we were served a plate of pasta and even some vegetables-bonus! While rice and beans do tend to be a main feature of most meals, we also get amazing prawns which I absolutely adore, crab and lobster on occasion and even the odd serving of chicken or goat- a veritable banquet! Conversation does
frequently shift to food during the day, as the fantastic diving certainly builds an appetite, but with the addition of spices and sauces purchased in Toliara en route meal times are very satisfying (especially when our favourite pudding emerges from the kitchen after dinner- banana bok bok!)
I cannot think of many things better than living in a tropical location with the sound of the waves lapping against the shore lulling me to sleep every night. I think it is going to be a good 9
months…
Settling in to my new home has been both a joy and a challenge, but one that I have accepted readily. The odd cockroach is certainly outweighed by the presence of small geckos, lizards and chameleons- their characteristic squeaking noise and penchant for mosquitoes makes them welcome house guests.
The first meal was a welcome surprise having been warned to prepare myself for months of rice, beans and fish. Imagine my surprise when along with said rice, beans and fish we were served a plate of pasta and even some vegetables-bonus! While rice and beans do tend to be a main feature of most meals, we also get amazing prawns which I absolutely adore, crab and lobster on occasion and even the odd serving of chicken or goat- a veritable banquet! Conversation does
frequently shift to food during the day, as the fantastic diving certainly builds an appetite, but with the addition of spices and sauces purchased in Toliara en route meal times are very satisfying (especially when our favourite pudding emerges from the kitchen after dinner- banana bok bok!)
I cannot think of many things better than living in a tropical location with the sound of the waves lapping against the shore lulling me to sleep every night. I think it is going to be a good 9
months…
Sophie Benbow
Field Scientist
