Tag: Nature
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Discovering Mindfulness in Madagascar’s Countryside
Discover inner peace in Madagascar’s quiet highlands, where rolling hills and red earth paths offer profound solitude away from city noise. A personal journey of self-discovery in rural Madagascar’s understated countryside.
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Why Investing in Experiences is Priceless
The Moment I Almost Didn’t Click “Book Now” My cursor hovered over the button for a solid five minutes. The total at the bottom of the screen kept staring back at me, unblinking: three months in Madagascar, comprehensive itinerary from Antsirabe to Toliara, internal flights, guides, accommodations – the number was eye-watering. I’d just wrapped…
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Discovering True Relaxation: Lessons from My Grandfather
A retiring UN official discovers the difference between managing stress and actually relaxing after 30 years in international diplomacy. Lessons from the Seychelles on finding peace.
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Discovering Adventure: My Tsingy de Bemaraha Experience
Last week at Tsingy de Bemaraha in Madagascar, I discovered something unexpected about myself. I actually enjoy being scared or was it the adventure that I enjoyed.
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What I’m Really Curious About After 30 Years of International Work
Don’t wait until you’re shaking in a conference room to realize that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s essential for doing the work that matters.
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Rethinking Development Strategies: Lessons from Mananjary
Sometimes the most important development lessons aren’t found in best practice guides or evaluation reports. Sometimes they’re found in a wooden canoe on a quiet canal. They involve learning to read the currents instead of fighting against them.
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Conversations with Myself: The Power of Self-Reflection
The machete cracks through the green husk with a satisfying thud. Steam rises from fresh coconut water in Toamasina’s market, while coffee beans release their earthy aroma in Antsirabe’s highland air. These aren’t just beverages—they’re invitations to pause and connect authentically. After fifteen years navigating boardrooms from Mumbai to Munich, I’ve learned that transformative conversations…
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Top 5 Tropical Fruits for Energy and Health
Growing up surrounded by fruit-bearing trees shaped my understanding of nutrition in ways I only fully appreciated later in life. On our island, we didn’t “add fruits” to our diet—they were our diet.
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A Life-Changing Airport Encounter: My Meeting with Swami Krishnananda
At 19, disciplined practice dominated my world. My karate training had conditioned my body for the past 4 years. Additionally, the classical guitar, the flute, and the readings consumed my evenings. I was unaware that someone would soon occupy the empty seat beside me. This person would reshape my understanding of these pursuits.
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Exploring Independence Avenue: A Cultural Journey in Toamasina, Madagascar
Walking along Independence Avenue in the city of Toamasina is a spectacle. It’s as if you’ve walked into a living museum where Madagascar’s past and present collide. Avenue de l’Indépendance is the main artery of Madagascar’s biggest port city. It isn’t merely a street. It’s the very pulsing heart of this coastal gem. Its veins of asphalt…
L J Padayachy 