It is funny how every trip I do has its own rhythm. When I traveled in Asia last year, the pace was really relaxed. I would spend 12 hours on a bus to get from one town to another or weave my way slowly though deserted streets in the countryside on a motorbike. If I liked a town, I would stay an extra day. When I was hungry, I would wander the town on foot until I came across an intriguing eatery or coffee house where I would sit for an hour and read or watch the life of the town.
This trip has been a whirlwind. Good, but a whirlwind. A driver meets me at the airport and whisks me off to a hotel, but only to sleep, so that he can pick me up again in the morning for another flight. When I arrive at the next stop, a guide and driver meet me and we head straight to the Avenue of the Baobabs for sunset, but don’t dally I have to drop the bags at the hotel so I can meet the local guide for a night tour of the dry monsoon forests. Sure, I can have a late dinner and go to bed, but don’t sleep too long! I have to wake up for an early breakfast so I can be off to Kirindy National Park for a morning walk before lunch, after which I do an afternoon walk from which I need to be back in time for my evening walk. Yes, I can return to camp to eat and sleep, but don’t forget tomorrow I will repeat.
I express the pace in hyperbole because it feels like I barely have time to catch my breath before I’m on to the next thing (and I want to give you sense of my experiences), but don’t leave with the impression that I am anything less than gleeful at each new experience or anything less than grateful for each new encounter with the people and creatures of Madagascar. I hope when you look at the pictures you can imagine the smile on my face and in my heart each time I see another mouse lemur peeking out at me from a hollowed out tree or a big eyed gecko scurrying through the leaf litter of the forest floor.
My best to all of you!
Roy
Sunset at Avenue of the Baobabs
Grey Mouse Lemur. So cute!
This guy crash landed nose first in the netting of my tent and got stuck. So sad!
Verreaux’s Sifaka
Crested Drongo
Madagascar Scops owl. I like this picture 🙂
Madagascar Hoopoe
Geek on a bridge.
I haven’t identified this one yet, but it was beautiful!
Madagascar Malachite Kingfisher.
Madagascar Ground Gecko.
How can you not smile at this?
Red-fronted Brown Lemur
Red-tailed Sportive Lemur. The nocturnal lemurs are my favorite! Look at those big lovely eyes 🙂
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