Great Financial Tool for Cruisers – Transferwise

I have used this service in 5 or 6 countries in the last couple of years and it works really well…(Disclosure – I get $50 if you and two others sign up today and then eventually use it) but the main reason I put it on here is that my bank notified me today that their rates to do wire transfers has gone up again!

Much better to use this if you have a similar issue. Don’t wait until you need it…sign up now so it’s in your toolbox in case it can help you in the future…to pay for a new boat part in a foreign country with foreign currency…or pay someone at home…

How have I used it?

  • Sent Malaysian money for solar panel controller to local panel distributor in Malaysia

-While in Thailand, sent Malaysia money to distributor for new batteries in Malaysia to be delivered.

-While in Malaysia, sent British Money to Great Britain for Chagos Permit

-While in Malaysia, sent money to Thai insurance company for Third Party Insurance purchase, whose bank was located in Rotuma!

-While in SriLanka, sent Singapore money to supplier in Singapore to order and receive Charger and other parts to be picked up in Singapore.

  • While in Malaysia, sold two expensive things to other yachties…they paid in their own currency, electronically, in to my Transferwise Bank account. Now I hold multiple currencies in my Transferwise bank account that can go up in value, and/or can be converted to other currencies to pay for other things in the future. An International bank account, with many currencies, with no monthly fees and the best exchange rates anywhere.

Soon they will have a credit card where I can even make withdrawals if I want…or make purchases!

This is a company worth getting onboard with for sure! They seem to be reducing any low fees that they do have instead of raising like everyone else, as well! So if you looked in the past…take another look now!

Transferwise

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Lemurs in Madagascar

Rather than tramping around the jungle looking for animals, in Isle Saint Marie, off the east coast of Madagascar, it is far easier to hang around a beach front eco resort. About 4pm, the lemurs waken from tree tops and climb down to look for tourists with bananas.  In the lemur’s actions and interactions with humans, I see a lot of similarities with raccoons. 

The small collared lemur is a little timid compared to the big, black and white, rufted lemur but over comes his fear when offered a banana.

Collared lemur is quick on the ground but faster when in the trees.

This tourist from Sweden knew right away what this ruffed lemur would like.
Because of all the hair, a ruffed lemur might appear to have the size of a raccoon but not the weight. 
By watching the tourists, this ruffed lemur has learned how to relax.

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Isle Aux Nautte

A Black and White Rufted Lemur, who came in from the woods hoping for a handout. I had a banana all ready for him!

He took bit of banana from my hand so gently. But then when I showed him that the only thing left was the peel, he dissapeared in to the j

What was funnier is that the next lemur we met, I offered him a grape..even broke it open for him…total rejection. I handed him an unknown fruit from the jungle and he grabbed it and dove in. When I asked a lady down the road about the fruit in my cup, she warned me that the grapes were inedible, warning me in French and with expressions , not to eat them. But the mystery fruit, she said that one was safe to eat. 

I guess both that lady and the lemur know something about grapes that I don’t know! only a natural food to me I guess 🙂

What a beauty!

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