Tana Once Again

Back in the land if internet access. Have just spent four days in Fort Dauphin on the southern most section of the island. going from the cool and damp highlands to the hot and sunny beaches of Fort Dauphin. Also a visit to the Berenty Reserve home to many more lemurs including the ever popular ring-tail. The reserve is 85 kilometers from town (52 miles) in a perfect world this ride should take between 45 minutes to an hour. Well we did travel on a national road, unfortunately this national road was last paved in 1960 when the French were last in control of Madagascar. The ride on the current road took over 3 and one half hours! No I kid you not. But after all the bumps, dips and getting stuck in various market towns the ride was well worth it. The following day was a ride up a river to a small fishing village, then a hike for god knows how many miles, it took about three hours and over two mountains, but was like a Hollywood movie set when you crest the last bit and the ocean is crashing below you on a gorgeous sandy beach. Again so well worth the effort. Up close and personal with some Zebu, (the local cattle) and then an overview of the fishing village were just so beautiful. Just two more days here in Madagascar and then on to Cape Town. I am really looking forward to Cape Town as they speak English in South Africa. In Madagascar very few speak English so I had to get by on my rudimentary French, but did ok! My head is ready to explode but it was okay.
More pics to come!

Back in Tana

Just spent three days in the rain forest looking for lemurs, and gratefully had huge success! We have seen several varieties of sifakas, brown lemurs, bamboo lemurs, wooly lemurs, mouse lemurs, giant dwarf lemurs and the largest of the species the Indri, also known as Babakoto! In the mornings they howl to each other and you can hear it for miles. It has just been lemurs, lemurs and more lemurs for the past days. We also did finally find the elusive tomato frog! This has been an amazing opportunity! In town just for the night, leave tomorrow for the southern coast to look for ring tail lemurs and baobab trees! Also looking for sea turtles! The adventure never ends. We are going constantly. Hiking for hours at a time searching for the very clever lemur population. Have no idea what the internet situation will be down south, will post again when able!

Oh the frustration!

This is Africa! Having all kinds of computer issues, not to mention internet availability. Have spent a few days up in the northeast corner of the country in a town called Maroansetra which is on the ocean. There are hardly any roads in the town so they most convenient method of travel is by dugout canoe water taxis. The dugout canoes are used to transport everything from people to lumber to granite.

We are back in the capitol city of Antananarivo, or Tana as it is called. That's why the internet access. Leaving today for Andisabe and beyond which is just about due east from here on the ocean. Heading deep into lemur country. Looking for the elusive "Indri Indri" the largest of the lemurs. Also lots of chameleons and frogs.

The people of Madagascar are just lovely. They are friendly and helpful. As with met large cities Tana has it's big city issues. Horrible smog and crime. We don't leave the hotel at night without a guide, but that is okay. There is really no where to go and the hotel has everything we could possibly want, including an absolutely amazing Patisserie, thanks of course to the French colonization. I have to say my French has improved dramatically since arriving. I am speaking French every day and have become the official translator of our small group. As challenging as it has been with the language, I am enjoying stretching my French muscles that have been dormant for way too long.

No internet for the next three days. I will try and get some photos up, but that has been my big technical challenge. Nothing is working as it should be.

So more in a few days. Off to lemur land!

Before I go

Just about a week before heading out to Madagascar. All the fine details are being taken care of, like treating all my clothes with special insect repellent and making sure I have plenty of medical supplies. The excitement is finally starting to build and I am just about ready to go!
I am hoping to have a post on a daily basis to keep you all informed on the magic of Madagascar. So until Sunday, see you then!