The daily routine is to get the bags out to load on the truck at 0615, breakfast at 0630, on the road around 0700. it was raining when we got up in Toliara - very unusual for them to get rain at this time of year - but it stopped before we started.
Leaving Toliara... humbling when a guy on a pousse-pousse carrying a passenger can keep up with you...
There were some long climbs as we rose from sea level heading up to progressively higher planes and several changes in geography.
Road hazards... goats...
...and chameleons...
...and kids when you stop for a coke...
The heat and sunshine took its toll - so it was slow going for as and other - and we finally got into Skaraha at 1600 after almost 130 km on the road.
A hotel tonight - interesting combination of grandeur, both present and past - gorgeous ceramic tiling, modern multi-function ceiling fan - and less grand features - rickety wooden stair to climb, sagging mattress - but it was clean and we slept well.
Next day just under a hundred km to Isalo, home of the second largest national park in Madagascar.
A long steady 3-5% climb to lunch at 65 km, more changes of scenery. Pictures are in the group above - forgive, limited internet access and trying to get these uploaded quickly.
In the afternoon we went through a sapphire area where there has been a little boom and bust in the last 20 years.
Into the hotel at Isalo - the Relais de le Reine - unbelievably gorgeous place.
Breakfast...
Saturday was a rest day and a group of us went to the Isalo park.
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We swam in a pool like this, just up the valley
The first lemurs came down out of curiosity |
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