Kiteboarding in Mozambique
Giant Jellyfish of the Mergui Archipelago
We began last Christmas, 2009 in Myanmar (Burma) after a short hop up from Thailand and Malaysia after hauling Discovery out of the water for a new paint job, standing rigging and new teak decks. We ran two trips in Myanmar, the most expensive trips we’ve ever operated due to the incredibly restrictive and expensive permits to visit the Mergui archipelago. We didn’t find much wind, but wow- they sure had some incredible jellyfish! These guys were monsters.
Rajan the swimming elephant
From Burma we sailed 400 miles west to the Andaman Islands. This wicked little nook of the world sports not only some remarkable sights but very big sea crocs and elephants. Jody spent over a week on Havelock Island with Rajan, the last salt-water swimming elephant on earth. Her photos of this remarkable interaction made it onto National Geographic as well as a radio show on the BBC. Listen to the interview– it is precious. The Andamans treated us well. Also light on wind we were still able to score some quality days kiting, guest Captain Stu and owner Cory got to do some flying, and Rogier and I had one of the best sunset/full moon kites I’ve yet had. It is a magical land full of Indian colors, sounds and laughter.
Kiting in the Andamans
From the Andamans we sailed 1200 miles to the Maldives. We spent nearly 3 months in the Maldives and no doubt this time will be remembered as one of the most incredible of the expedition. Not for kiting as there is almost no wind in the Maldives, but for the flying (paragliding), surfing, and insane numbers of Dolphins, Manta Rays and Whalesharks. This was another archipelago where we were the first in the world to fly above her treasures. Mike Belbas came down from Switzerland for 5 weeks to help me take our guests skybound and the results were simply mind-blowing. The atolls are dotted with multi-million dollar resorts but with Discovery we could easily get to places where all the tourists couldn’t. Our time in the Maldives ended with a visit from Jamie Mitchell, recently nominated for National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year. He timed his tour perfectly with a bomber swell that lasted an entire week. Wicked wicked wicked surf and another great shot at flying 3,000 feet over the reefs.
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/11164347[/vimeo]
Mike Belbas speed flying in the Maldives
For months I’d worked diligently to get permits to visit Chagos, a lone archipelago in the middle of the Indian Ocean. But for whatever reason the British Government denied our repeated heartfelt requests so we opted to explore the even more remote shoals of Cargados, some 300 miles north of Mauritius. It took us 6 days to sail there and then for 2 weeks we kited, and kited, and kited some more. The wind never stopped and other than heading out with a speargun with my good friend Jim between sessions I think kiting was about all we did. Well, I did lose a number of chess matches to Bruce, but luckily after a long bout of antibiotics due to repeated staph infections my head cleared and I was able to make a last-minute comeback as we sailed into Reunion at the end of the 30 day trip, our longest and quite possibly most special thus far.
Maldives from a paraglider
Jamie Mitchell the wonder boy
Reunion was a blast- no guests, no owners, only Tim and I and a beautiful island to explore. I got to paraglide off an actual mountain for the first time since India last fall and got to surf the gnarly point break at St Leu on the same day. But our week of bliss ended tragically when we learned our precious chef Bobby was cracked up badly in a car accident in Jakarta on his vacation and would be a few months recuperating before he could return. Tim and I sailed off for Fort Dauphin, Madagascar on our own with a very uncertain future ahead. We lost our port engine in the first days of June in Madagascar and didn’t get the donkey running again until November. Give that task to any captain who then has to negotiate over 3,000 miles of ocean, near reefs, down the wild coast, with cranking winds and you get a product that I became- fragile.
Reunion Islands. Photo Tim Burgess
We explored Madagascar for two months. Ben Wilson, Sky Solbach, Kristin Boese, and Reo Stevens all came out at various times to ride with our lucky group of owners. The surf was consistent throughout and this very poor African country bewitched us all. We sailed the entire south coast. Among other things, I nearly lost my job as Captain to a very large shark and later broke my ribs; Jody nearly died in Hospital, and suffered through several nasty Staph infections – and we somehow still had a blast.
[flv]http://s3.offshoreodysseys.com/cargados2010.flv[/flv]
Check out a short movie of Madagascar
Sky Solbach in Madagascar
In late July we sailed across to Mozambique for a month and made one of the wildest discoveries of the expedition in Bazaruto. We were the first to fly two dunes there that bested any coastal soaring we’ve found in ten years of sailing. To be the first to fly this spot was incredible and rather emotional. To think that there are still so many places on this planet that humans haven’t touched, and more incredibly- that there are so many people willing to dwell in cities working the proverbial mouse wheel to death in an effort to keep up with their neighbor so they can show off their new Ipad. In Bazaruto I found myself thankful again and again that this is so. More empty places for us to play!
[vimeo]http://www.vimeo.com/17580235[/vimeo]
Kristin Boese surprises the locals
In a rather strange circumstance powered by unusual forces (ie pirates in Somalia) we then returned to southern Madagascar for a month. One of our owners strangely disappeared without a trace and didn’t show up for her private trip, which allowed Jody and I time to explore the interior. We found Ringtail lemurs and other strange creatures, but the mission was paragliding. And we scored in spades in the little village of Fianarantsoa. Imagine Yosemite-sized vertical granite walls in the desert and you’ve got it. Ripping scary thermals, big BIG air, and big BIG exposure. Yazza!
Paragliding along the granite walls
Bazaruto Archipelago seen from the paraglider
Paragliding the great Namibia sand dunes
Wow what a year. I am a friend of Rogier and following your trips a few years now. Success for2011. Peter bakker
So many amazing places, and spectacular photos and footage – I want to GOOOO!!! I’m in St. Maarten at the moment…but it doesn’t QUITE compare!!
Damn… Jody is seriously talented!
Jody is by far the best photographer. Her work is breathtaking. And Gavin, your writing keeps me on the edge of my seat. Ellyse says “What a great experience you get to enjoy. I can’t imagine how beautiful the landscape is that you explore every day. What a fantastic adventure you and your guests have.”
Awesome work Gav & Jody! What a year hey! I loved the video on Madagascar with our tip… very good memories.
Look forward to seeing you guys on the ocean somewhere soon!
Just your loving mother here, so proud and blessed to have you as my son. Mom
Jan……you should be proud! I continue to be amazed by the stories, photos, videos, and by the opportunity to follow, if only vicariously, this amazing journey.
So neat to see you and Lesley’s name on this comments Board…..takes me right back to age 8, coming back to your house after school for milk & cookies. You must have done something right…..because your kid went from being my childhood buddy to one of my true heroes!
Gavin……best wishes to you, Jody and the crew for an even more amazing 2011. I may try to come hang with you in Ireland this summer if you end up with an open cabin! 🙂
Gavin, words fall short… But what an incredible opportunity you’re giving yourselves, the owners, sponsors like us, and everyone who’s following the expedition. Through it, we’re able to experience the world in ways we never, ever would have been able to otherwise during our short stays on this planet. Don’t have to be your mother to be proud of you for that (all due respect, Jan!). About your face, on the other hand… 🙂
Thanks Gavin and Jody!!!!
Jeez everyone- THANK YOU! What wonderful comments, you’re all making me blush. And it’s not the continual sun!
Thank you all- makes the hard days out here seem like distant and even pleasurable memories. Funny how that works. And Jody- you really are a superstar, missing you terribly girl, thanks for bringing this whole crazy journey come alive.
Gavin
Hi Gavin, supernice pics, funny to see the picture from Namibie, we were there just last week during our visit to cape town we went through Namib for 8 days.
Good luck, talk to you later. Martijn
It is without hesitation that we would like to congratulate you both for an excellent review of the major highlights of 2010. Jody- your photos are outstanding & Gavin- your words are captivating. A job well done. P.S. If you were on wall street you both would be getting big bonuses. Jody’s proud parents
Bud & Bernice
Hi Gavin.
Looks like you had a good time.
Nice pictures and all.
However some of the places you travelled through have been the get away place for many persons that have always been carefull not to spread the info to the whole world.
Sharing pictures and great adventures is one thing.
Giving exact locations of your pictures is another.
It does more often than not bid the end for the beautifull places you went through.
I am speaking from experience as I have seen many a dream place get destroyed by such actions (even if there was no such intention).
Kind regards
Nico from Santosha
Hi Nico,
Thank you very much for your comments and valid concerns. I feel like we’ve been pretty careful with naming spots and locations. I believe I only used general places like “Andamans”, “Maldives” and the like for the blog. I did name Bazaruto in Mozambique, which is pretty specific, but I did not name where we were. I should probably pull that- I agree wholeheartedly with protecting beautiful locations and am very much in agreement with your concerns. There are too few special places left.
Thank you again and I will continue to to make sure we remain sensitive to the places, cultures and areas we visit.
Kind regards,
Gavin McClurg
Giving me inspiration to do something with my life. You guys are spectacular.
Truly amazing pictures Jody! I’m always so happy for you and so impressed with your talent.
Way to go!
Wow..I am living my wildest dreams through you all and your publishings. What a beautiful world, thank you for sharing. It’s AWESOME!
Pam
Grandmother and one time avid kiteboarder from San Diego California.
Jody… awe-inspiring photography… you rock! How’s that elephant! Guys, haunting memories from Madagascar. Such an incredible adventure. Gav, promise me you’ll never jump into a bait ball again!? We live on such an amazing planet, and you guys are seeing some of the best of it. Thanks for sharing your world with us. Safe travels… from West Coast Oz. Theo
Wow guys, THANKS SO MUCH for all the great comments. It truly is appreciated.
Wow that looks awesome! I went on a surf to Nosy V… and stayed in Ana…. in 1999 and saw kiteboarding for the first time there. Some French guys testing kites… wish I could remember their names for sure!
Love the beautiful photos and landscapes of the Indian Ocean and Africa – what an amazing way to see the world!
Hi Gavin and Jody – Wow, these photos are incredible! Jody, don’t forget about the BP Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition in London….the photo of Rajan is a serious contender. I can’t believe it was a year ago that we flew out to join you in the Maldives – what an amazing, magical time that was. Thank you again. We have been enthralled by your adventures since then – beautifully written, Gavin (Do we see a book coming someday?). So glad that Bobby is back to his culinary masterpieces. We are heading to the Cape Verde next week on a kiting trip, so will look out for you! Best wishes Jane and Bronek.
Wow! Amazing pictures 🙂 Look froward to visiting a few of those countries like Moz, Namibia when time/work allows…