Sahambavy
Trip Start
Nov 18, 2002
1
107
157
Trip End
Ongoing
Sahambavy,
Madagascar
Sunday, May 4, 2008
After a fantastic nights sleep we woke up to beautiful bird song. Having arrived in the dark and with very limited outside lighting we had no real idea what Lac (Lake) Hotel really looked like. Oh what a pleasant surprise we had. The restaurant building overlooks the massive lake. There were 2 large single bungalows built over the water and another 2 rooms that were semi-detached. The gardens were amazing. Stocked full of plants, shrubs and an arch of climbing roses it was all very colourful and peaceful. We decided to stay another night and relocate to the posh-ist and most expensive house built over the lake. It had a massive four poster bed with white mosquito net curtains, huge bathroom, it's own private terrace overlooking the lake and an open log fire inside. Which we did light that evening and regretted it the moment we did as the room quickly filled with thick smoke because the wood was still green and damp! We had to open all the doors and sit outside while the fire died down
A little after the storm
. That was so funny. After re-locating we took a visit to Madagascar's only tea plantation which is situated about 1km away.
We turned up there on foot which threw them a bit as they are used to people visiting in cars (4 wheel drive mostly) with their drivers.
In our broken French we tried to explain to the man at the gate that we wanted to visit the factory. After limited understanding from both parties it was agreed that we should return at 3pm. It was now 12 so we said no problem we would see them later. Meanwhile the man suggested that we walk up the hill of the plantation. The sun was roasting hot and like 'mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid day sun' we set off up the hill. It took us only about 10-15 minutes to reach the top and we were so glad we did as the views were breathtaking. Tea bushes as far as the eye could see interspersed with tea pickers houses and the Lac Hotel and lake itself. It is really beautiful.
As we returned back down the hill, the man who told us earlier to return at 3pm then re-appeared and gestured for us to come into the factory. He then proceeded to give us a private guided tour of the tea making process. The smell of fermenting tea is really delicious. Again just like in Sri Lanka when we visited a tea plantation there the machines used for this tea making process are British ;)
Our tour ended with a tea tasting session and needless to say we bought a box as it tasted sooo good.
Once back at our little hexagonal house on the lake we chilled out on our private terrace. Later we took a pedalo (free for guests) out onto the lake where we found a beautiful kingfisher perched on a branch not far for our little house.
We really enjoyed our relaxing stay here at www.lachotel.com Anyone taking the train in the same direction we did should stop here and enjoy the tranquillity of such a picturesque area. PS great food there to.
