28 – 30 NOVEMBER 2011
ANTANANARIVO
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| mmmmm zebu |
I head out for another tasty market breakfast but return in
time to farewell Gregor before he heads to the airport. He was lovely company
and a wonderful ambassador for Austria unlike his countrywoman. I confirm with
Claire that I will join her this afternoon to visit the Lemurs Park then contacting
Marie Paule we arrange to meet for lunch at the same piano playing restaurant
where I dined with Marthe. 
I sms Pauline to see if she and Nene can join us as
well. I learn more about Marie Paule’s big challenge – her WAGGGS role is
planning for the 5th World Centre in Africa – what a amazing task that
will be. We chat about the various associations that I have visited, their HQ
facilities and the personnel I’d met. Marie Paule hadn’t heard about Shanzu at
Mombaasa where I was going to stay so I promised to post the info on Facebook
for her to check out. As time is short today, I dash off to meet up with Claire.
The Lemur’s Park, which is in reality a lemur zoo but so what – we are up close
and personal without having to traipse over mountains, with a few varieties of
lemurs here that we hadn’t spotted. By now I am nearly lemur’ed out on which
variety is who but it was very pleasant and easy viewing just the same. Check
out the movie of the pair playing.
Heading back into town I ask the taxi to
drop us near the KuDeTa café and shop for some quality browsing then Claire and
I walk back via more steps and back lanes.
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| Claire and I at the Lemur's park |
Claire dutifully follows me and we
come across a game of bingo happening for the local housewives in those back
streets. Later we dined out on a delicious wood fired pizza at Saka’s before
Claire was on her way to the airport and I have a last couple of nights and a day
in Tana before flying back to Nairobi. There are a few more shops with some small
items to buy and pack and then its farewell to this lovely island. I organise
to get the airport shuttle out to the airport which is efficient and ¼ of the
taxi price!
I have really enjoyed Madagascar and with more time it would
have been wonderful to have explored the north as well. 
But I was lucky enough
to visit the island whilst over here in Africa so I am very pleased about that.
And to have visited this island and enjoyed its highlights in a very easy way
with the tour was, in hindsight, terrific. The company on the tour was in the
main, fantastic, the itinerary comprehensive and organisation fine.
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| Tana's railway station |
FACT: Unfortunately
Madagascar’s interior doesn’t seem to be showing many signs of any hoped for
economic recovery and the country is very reliant on World Bank loans to help
fight poverty here just as the rest of Africa. However on the other hand,
inhabitants of Le Grande Isle have a
fierce pride in the superiority of Malagasy culture, especially with the
history of France colonising using Senegalese troops whom the Malagasy regarded
as nothing more than dangerous brutes!! Sacre bleu!!
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