Madagascan Adventures (Part One)

2 weeks to go. Found out my wife was pregnant. An outbreak of Bubonic Plague hits Madagascar.

One week to go. Our flights are cancelled as a result of the plague.

Should we still go? Are we being irresponsible? Will we ever get another chance like this? Let's go!

Our flights that were going through the Seychelles were cancelled. So we booked with a different airline going through Mauritius with only a slight delay.

No one else wants the plague...

We had arranged to meet up with our tour guide in Antananarivo. Tourists aren't allowed to rent cars and drive themselves around, and after being on some of those roads, I could see why you need a knowledgeable local.

Our guide exchanged our money. We're rich!

Our first destination was Andringitra National Park in the South. A long drive so we got to see plenty of countryside and the crazy road "rules". It seems to be a system they've just worked out for themselves. The government doesn't really fix much, so the locals take it upon themselves to fill in potholes between cars whizzing by and ask for money for doing it.

Leaving Tana

off the (only) main road

Rice fields are prevalent in the countryside

At the accommodation where we'll start our overnight hike up the mountains. Porters take all our backpacks and camping gear and meals etc. I would later be very glad for this...

After 3 hrs of walking. I'm starting to think I'm not just feeling tired and dehydrated. Cold sweats and nausea kicking in. It must have been something I ate.

the landscape is beautiful though. I struggled to take any photos on this hike. I barely had the energy to move myself. I couldn't keep down food or water. I was a mess

We made it to our camp as evening descends. Everything I consume keeps coming up. The decision is made not to climb to the peak early in the morning and take the alternate route back down the next day. This was not the best start to the trip and I vowed not to eat anything I wasn't absolutely sure about again. Piping hot food, bottled water to drink and brush teeth. Sanitise hands regularly. Hiking up a mountain all day in 30+ degree Celsius heat with food poisoning in a different country leaves a lasting impression on the mind.

I felt much better in the morning. But I needed the sleep. We made our way back down.

A beautiful morning view. Of the toilet facilities.

local land burning tends to get out of control

Our next destination was Anja to see our first Lemurs. The landscape and wildlife here are so unique and amazing.

I decided to split this up into parts. The whole trip was epic and would be super long to fit it all in one post.

Stay tuned for more soon!

Intro Post
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