Today as it was a travelling day was going to be 'blogless' but needs must!
We left the hotel at midday and arrived at the airport an hour later - having passed people assembling around a taped off track for some sort of car race - we saw one supped up saloon arrive - it was an official race event, sponsored by amongst others Orange; we also saw some real poverty as we passed several rubbish dumps - people were living around them and scavenging on them. You can't help but pinch yourself and be thankful for the life you have been given.
On arrival at the airport we opted for a sandwich lunch - John wasn't too badly off as his had a croque monsieur and so his was toasted, mine on the other hand was a cheese salad baguette - not sure which day it had been made but the lettuce had seen better days so just half was enough.
We checked in at 1355 for our 1555 flight ( when we reconfirmed yesterday we were told our 1520 departure was now 1555) and said goodbye to our driver and guide - we went through to domestic departures to wait ...and wait......and wait! Eventually we took off just before 6 - seemingly we were waiting for a connecting flight with about 6 people on it - because as soon as they arrived we left. Not however the 1hr 5 min expected flight to Mahajanga but a 90min flight to Nosy Be and then a 60 minute flight to Mahajanga we arrived at 9pm ..... which was far to late to go onto Ankarafantsika so we spent the night at the Sunny hotel just outside the airport. Minus sadly my luggage which along with others remained in Antananarivo - John albeit still grumpy about the flights - despite being told to chill - was at least ok with his luggage which was one of the few to make it! The highlight of the wait for his luggage was a Madagascan nightjar which got into the luggage hall - it flew around and sat on the ground until it was let out. You would have thought with all the time we were delayed that they could have got the luggage in the right place! Luckily for me I had worn my half trousers and sandals and John had all my dirty washing - so on arrival a quick wash of my quick dry shirts stood me in good stead to survive the next few days mixing my clothes with John's - luckily we also take the same size shoes! To speed the drying we rigged up a line outside our room - however to add insult to injury I woke at 1 am to hear an almighty storm with lashing rain - clothes were quickly retrieved and rehung in the bathroom - thankfully they were actually almost dry by the time we had to get up i.e. 4am. A really early start so we could have breakfast, leave at 5am and drive the 2 hours to the park and still be able to enjoy the wildlife before it got too hot! ( in the west this is the hottest time and temperatures can rise to 38 degrees - so we were happy for the early start!
What a day - I am looking forward to seeing my luggage again - I wonder when?
I have re read the instructions from the travel agent and it says - in bold - keep a couple of changes of clothes in your hand luggage - clearly luggage delay is not uncommon - note to self : read the travel agents notes thoroughly and take the information in the first time instead of scan reading - c'est la vie!
The picture is of the diademed or golden sifaka and baby - the biggest sifaka.