Starting in the Rainforest on the East Side

Two long Air France flights from Vancouver to Paris and Paris to Antananarivo (Tana), close to ten hours each - they were on time; we were well fed; the bikes and bags arrived okay; and we were met by our local guide and driver... good start.

with our driver Tiana (left) and guide Colegue (right) at the Ortour office

Morning of May 5th we were off to Andasibe in the eastern rain forest - it's a main road that connects Tana with a major east coast port, but it has suffered a lack of maintenance and a recent cyclone, so lots of enormous potholes and several areas where mudslides block half the road, that plus broken down trucks, steep hills, sharp bends, numerous villages and people walking everywhere, it was a tough drive for the driver.

roadside stalls all along the route 

We got an afternoon visit to a small park where we got our first look at the Lemurs for which Madagascar is so well known - the forest is protected, but otherwise the animals are in the wild.



Indri


one of the smallest chameleons....

and one of the largest

That evening out on a walk along the park road for a look for nocturnal lemurs...

mouse lemur



Next morning to the National Park...

 



Diademed Sifaka


Eastern Wooly Lemur



 

That afternoon on a private reserve where several lemurs are on an island where they are used to visitors.

Brown Lemur



 

Black and White Ruffed Lemur


Bamboo Lemur

The next day to a place called Palmarium, essentially a resort that comprises a small plantation and forested area that is home to several species of lemurs. The lemurs are very tame and used to hotel guests. They'll steal bananas right off your plate on the breakfast table. 

 

 

 

 

 

In the evening, we went to another area where the nocturnal Aye-Aye lemur is happy to be fed coconuts under the lights for all to see.

 

Then back to Tana with an overnight en route. Tomorrow, May 10, we head south for a few more days with our guide before we have to get serious about getting on the bikes.