The Hotel Talinjoo - 21 March, 2012

Our weekend away felt like two weeks it was that relaxing and refreshing. Hilton and I usually have a delicious lunch here on his day off. The staff are getting to recognise our faces, (who could forget them!) The food is outstanding and the ambience is definitely island style.

Our suite had the most magnificent view with a shower that didn't disappoint, open windows with the same view! Actually the incredible view was also enjoyed from the bed.

The shower with a view!

The infinity (love this word) pool has the same uninterrupted, breathtaking view of the ocean.

What can I say except that I have to keep pinching myself to make sure it's real.....yes I am actually living on the this Mad magical Island and get to enjoy these most incredible experiences. When I wake up in the morning, I'm still here!

The Hotel Talinjoo tucked away overlooking the ocean and seeming almost as if it is not there.

During our two day stay we made the acquaintance of owners Aziz and Noelies and were promptly invited to attend the Hotel's second anniversary celebration which was in fact a double occasion as Aziz was also celebrating his 50th birthday. The celebration attire: "Bollywood" style! Ha!ha! quite a challenge to find suitable outfits.

And so we experienced the other social side of Ft Dauphin.....and were pleasantly surprised.

"Oh, what a night
late December back in sixty-three (March, 2012)
What a special time for me (us)
As I remember what a night..." (Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons)

Needless to say Hilton went dressed as himself! I wore my, what I thought was closest to "Bollywood" outfit, that I had in my cupboard. I have yet to explore the shopping for clothes at the market. (It can be quite successful they assure me).
The mix of people was fascinating....French, Indian, Egyptian, British, South African, Malagasy.
On arrival there was a red carpet from the entrance right down to the pool area, with "papparazi" clicking cameras! A beautiful deck was built over part of the pool and the whole area was decorated; the patio overlooking the pool as well as the gazebo area. The food kept appearing on platters throughout the evening. At one stage I think guests imagined the drinks were also appearing on platters!! Obviously and quite inevitably the pool water was too strong to resist and many took the plunge literally, quite spectacularly!!

Way before all this took place the evening was opened with a traditional Malagasy line-dance, danced with partners. The line wove along the edge of the pool, and up the steps across the patio and down again. All we had to do was follow the steps of the couple ahead of us. Gazing up at the star studded heavens, with the sound of the ocean, the music and the laughter and chatter I could hardly believe I was on this truly magical island!!

There was in fact quite a mixture of outfits.....some were true to the invitation request others did the best they could.....like me!

The beginning of the line dance and a "little leg" was quite appropriate, "Bollywood" style you understand of course!!

It was a slowish, sedate, elegant line-dance with easy repetitive steps, thankfully! Hilton & I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the "local" scene and were thrilled to experience a new dance.

View of the line-dance from the top and show-casing some Bollywood attire! The couple in the front of the photo demonstrate the couples' correct positioning.

The musicians set up at the far end of the pool and we danced accompanied by their music until much later in the evening when a lady DJ took over from her gazebo, overlooking the pool. By this time everyone imagined they knew everyone else, the majito was accomplishing its mission; talking and laughter was louder and there was a "buzz" and a "splash" to the evening!

The people who make up this Ft Dauphin, Taolagnaro population are truly from one spectrum of life to another.

There are many very colourful characters in Ft Dauphin and Hilton and I hope that by the end of our stay here we would have earned our spot on the palette of colourful characters.

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures."
Henry Ward Beecher.

And here are some of them.....and our belly dancer who entertained us!

Boy could she "move it, move it" !!