Hotel Mahatazana Antananarivo

Hi all

Well, we're now back to civilization which is a bit of a shock to the system after being in the bush of Madagascar. So much has happened and i haven't been keeping a journal so will just have to write from memory, so apology in advance for the following ramble!

I think in my previous blog i mentioned we had arrived in fort Dauphin, where we stayed at the Anosy Hotel (well sort of hotel, it had 3 bungalows and two rooms). It was very comfortable and we soon ...

... s unique wildlife is sustained by its unique flora. Two recommended spots are: Adohahela National Park - the reserve has three distinct zones of rainforest, spiny forest and the east-west transition forest, which is the last place on earth you will find the Triangle Palm tree. Mandena Conservation Zone - the zone protects rare littoral forest (similar to coastal rainforest), with 60ha of wetlands. It includes 22 species of endemic flora ...

... had been like this for the last 4 days. Pity those poor people on there 2 week holiday. We decided to treat ourselves a couple of months ago (when booking our flights) and fly business class from Mauritius to Dubai. Oh lar lar!! We checked in really early for our flight just to make the most of the freebies and goodies served in the business class lounge. Free Wifi internet and chatting to my mum on MSN while sipping champers the whole works. Martin even had a shower!!! We ...

... not getting to it. So, I will beg my brother to see what interesting things he can put on here. Oh, other news-my town got cell phone service! I can now talk standing in my house. It's amazing this technology :) So, my numbers are 011.261.33.025.1493 or 011.261.32.523.4406 You can also shoot me a text message at the same number. Hope to hear from you soon! Thanks again for all the support, mail, packages, and prayers. Have a blessed 2008! Much love, Amy :)

... a few messages en route. Liv and I then went for a wander around the area. Some great views out over the city from the tops of the hills. Also some nice shopping, both for ourselves and presents for family and friends. Quite a few of the crafts on sale were similar to what is available in Mozambique, but ...

... it before I got here and it took a while to hit. I couldn't leave Sunday, though. It wasn't a big deal, but whenever you travel here, people are always asking you to take packages or pick them up. I had already dropped off a 30 pound cooler to relatives of my friend in Antalaha. Sunday morning the same relatives dropped off another cooler filled with something really smelly. I hadn't talked to the doctor yet so I thought I still might be ...

... sweaty by the time I arrived at the check-in count**. The check-in happend without incident and I was ready for my flight to Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. This would be my first visit to this large island off the coast of South Africa. I had been corresponding with some people th**e for ov** a year. How they found us an int**esting story. Our deacon in Togo, Mr. Fiaboé works for ASECNA, the pan-African civil aviation ...

... Not a wasp, but a bee! At least I know it's dead now, ha! Wed 25th Oct - Goodbye/AIDS assembly at school this morning - all of the kids lined up on the yard, with me on the balcony with some teachers, and one girl from 3e giving a short speech thanking me and wishing me a safe journey. Felt awful with the bit "even though you could not do what you intended" referring to to my curtailment, and then they gave me some presents, which ...

Greetings from Madagascar! Well, time has been flying by, I can't believe it is already October. I guess the seasons are starting to change back home & a new school year has begun for some of you. One of the things that I thought I would really miss from home was the change of seasons, but Madagascar has it's own. We are moving out of the short rainy season, the mud is starting to dry up and the days are sunny with blue skies, thick white clouds & a nice cool breeze. We ...

... tired to really notice that much about the city as we wend our way from Ivato to our hotel in the centre - all I remember is seeing lots of rice fields and lots of rubbish. Tana has some nice features, but overall, it's not a very pleasant place to spend much time. Nevertheless, it's a whole new country and continent for me, so I drink in the sights of the long, wide Avenue d ...