We arrived in Diego Suarez on December 21st, 2012.

The end of the world.

So naturally, even though we were dead tired from traveling, we wanted to go out in style! We met up with some other volunteers who lived in the area, and they showed us a GREAT time.  We celebrated one birthday along with the end of the world, partying like rock stars & taking pictures like the paparazzi were chasing us.  Here are just two quick highlights:

{so many emotions!}

{obviously I was very excited about something that night…}

The next day we took off for Sakalava Bay, a really pretty, relatively secluded beach where we were able to lay out and relax, read some Jane Austen, watch some kite gliding (I think that’s what it’s called?), and see the sun set.  Just so beautiful.

{kite gliding?}

{Mansfield Park…a little light reading}

{sunset + footprints}

{au naturel}

Up next was Ramena Beach.  Yes, I know what you’re thinking…goodNESS, ANOTHER beach?!  Well…yes.  That is what you do when you go to a beach town.  You go to the beach.  A lot.

{fishermens boats}

{stretch of white sand}

{traditional face paint}

{getting worked on}

{all done! #naturalsunscreen}

{beach buddies}

On our third day, we headed out to the infamous Emerald Isle!  Which was, hands down, my FAVORITE part of our whole vacation!  We took a fisherman’s boat out onto this secluded island, passing through the most beautiful turquoise waters I’ve ever seen.  Once we got to the island, we ate a FEAST of fresh seafood that was caught that very morning for us and it was delicious.  I think it’s safe to say we were all a little bit sad when we had to head back to shore later that afternoon.

{getting ready to board the boat!}

{goofing around}

{sailing on the open sea}

{ready for sailing!}

{the crazy beautiful turquoise waters of the Emerald Isle}

{here’s our island!}

{laying out}

{pre-lunch…you can tell by the hungry look in our eyes}

{the gang on the beach}

{heading back to the mainland…tired, sunburnt & full of seafood}

{the setting sun}