It all started back in November 2009, when my wife and I visited Madagascar for a belated honeymoon. We fell in love with the place, and because of the nature and flexibility of our work (I am an offshore commercial diver and Catherine is a wildlife artist) we decided that returning to spend some extended time in the country would definitely be an option.

So here we are now, and enjoying every moment of life in Madagascar. It does have its challenges, but when you think about it, no matter where in the world you’re living, there are always obstacles, and solutions that need to be found. Traveling here was a life’s journey in itself. After many months of preparation, major help from numerous friends and family and two very dubious boat trips, we are finally settled in a tropical paradise. Fortunately we have rented and are looking after the house of a friend on Nosy Komba Island (a friend who helped us out tremendously with local knowledge and adjusting to the ins and outs of Madagascan life).

If you are anything like me, you have had vivid dreams revolving around spearfishing and planting a spear into some great fish. Fish that I will realistically never ever get to see, never mind actually shoot at. It’s amazing how awesome the images in my dreams are, and how the spear always lands precisely where I want it to. Of course it’s always in full technicolour, and seems so real as to actually get the adrenaline pumping and every part of my being excited. And when I land these fish it usually involves some kind of triumphant finale that makes me feel like I could conquer the world.