Day one - Antananarivo

Day one - Antananarivo

I am on a deck right outside of my hotel room.  In my room, great wifi, 5 feet on the other side of the wall, not so great.  But I would rather be outside than in my room so here we go. 

I set my alarm for 8am.  I guess I set it but did not turn it on.  So, I woke up at 10.  Breakfast was until 11am.  I got there at 10:45 as they were putting up the chairs.  Am I too late?  No, of course not madam, who we have to be nice to or we will get fired, just this way.   I was not the last one to arrive so guilt lessened. 

Remember when I bought that little madagascar book so I could use the little map insert.  I forgot the map insert.  I downloaded google map app and set out for Lake Anosy.  As I sit here on my deck, I can literally see it.  But this morning I was setting out blind.  As I was leaving I told the guy at the front desk where I was going and he sort of pointed me in the right direction and warned me to watch my phone.  The phone I had to have out to find my way.  

I found my way.  I think I missed one turn but when I tried to take the google route home, the street I missed was, how to put this..., not strolling dumb tourist friendly.  

I made it to the lake, walked to the jetty, peninsula, the thing that sticks out into the middle of the lake.  There is a lovely little park around that side of the lake.  $5000 to enter (about $1.50).  Worth it.  At least two new birds.  Probably as common as pigeons but I like to get off to a good 'lifer' start. 

Black Heron, in process of 'mantling'

Squacco Heron.  Handsome fellow.

The infamous stadium

I and all of my stuff made it back to the hotel safe and sound.  I met one of my tour people, Guiddo on the way in.  He is from Germany.    

Our group meets in two hours and the tour begins.

Later that day.  

I met my group.  One person dropped out which is good.  There are 15 on the tour.  I think four couples and the rest are single.  Five Americans; two couples (mom, day, daughter and her husband), one single guy from New Jersey.  Two from Germany;  one single woman, one single man.  Three from the UK, one couple and one single female.  A couple from Serbia (?) living in Amsterdam.  One single woman from Hong Kong living in Kenya.  And two single women from Canada (including yours truly).  If my math is wrong, I forgot someone.  

Our guide's name is Coco.  He is from south Madagascar.

Free Rum.  Choice of ginger, coffee or cinnamon.  I went with coffee.

I would 100% been sharing a room if I didn't pay for the single room.  One single woman is getting a free single room, you're welcome.  

Tomorrow we are flying out of Antananarivo around 7 pm to the coast.  In the day, we are taking a tour of some palace or castle or some such.  I am going because the group is going.  Bird park will have to wait.  

Early to bed tonight.  After I slept in so late today, I have to be prepared for an early morning tomorrow.  

 The next day (day two Antananarivo)

Company at the next table at breakfast. 

It is two days later but I cannot get wifi so I may not be able to update.  I'll give you this bot for now and will try to at least get blogger app to load on my computer so I can do some I posted updates .