February 12th – Dodging Cyclone Giovanna

Today we got the worrying news that a 500 mile-wide cyclone called Giovanna is barrelling towards our next stop Madagascar. Apparently there's 100 mph winds and 50 feet high waves in the eye of the hurricane – the captain tells us he's keeping an eye on it, but it may affect our trip there. We're going to Fort Dauphin in the South West corner of the island, and the cyclone is currently heading towards the North West side of Madagascar. Fingers crossed it doesn't get too close.....