I believe when we last spoke, we were leaving Ramomafana NP.
Road pictures!
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| We stopped for lunch and there was music and dancers |
At some point we stopped at a lake. Not sure why. Clearly, I'm getting jaded. It was pretty. I also finally say a Madagascar Kingfisher here but I didn't get a picture until later.
Then we headed to the Homestay. This is a G Adventure thing. We stay with a local family. I really did not like this part in Morocco so I didn't have high hopes but one does what one has to do. So stoic!
For some reason, Coco decided to tell us that G does not particularly like the leader of the local association and guesthouse owner. Apparently, the association funds some elementary schools in the area but in many visits, G reps have never laid eyes on any teachers or actual children in the schools. We visited the school on a Sunday so no kids. We left on Monday and we did not see one child heading toward the school, we only say kids going in the opposite direction to the private school. So, I think they are right to be suspicious. But it is the only house in the area set up to accommodate a group for an overnight.
Anyway, we aren't actually there yet. First, we had to hike through some rice paddies along very narrow paths to go up a hill to get to a local traditional healer/shaman. Despite the issues, this was a very beautiful location.
Path pictures:
We arrived at the shaman's house and all crammed into a tiny, hot room where he explained what he does, the herbs etc that he uses in his practice. Apparently, he can cure appendicitis but not cancer. Good to know. He can predict the best time to marry, harvest, plant, build, bury the dead. Important info in this part of the world.
The shaman and his family:
Then we headed back to the path and up to a lookout.
And the we arrived at the homestay house. This place is located in one of the most beautiful settings I have even seen! And the view kept changing with the light so there are a lot of pictures.
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| The house |
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| The view when we first arrived. |
First things first though, lunch! The best meal I have eaten in Madagascar to date. Zebu stew with homemade bread and all sorts of colourful veggies.
Our room was a six bed dorm. Bathroom outside.
The kids found us endlessly fascinating
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| We stopped for a quick weaving demonstration |
Back to the house to watch the sunset! This is way too many pictures of the same sunset but I don't care. It was spectacular.
The next morning we had breakfast, another excellent meal. They have a great cook even if they don't have any teachers. And then we headed back to the van and onto our next destination.
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| 5 am welcome committee. She said to say hi to Robynne. How do all of these dogs know Robynne? |
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| waiting for breakfast |
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| fresh bread, hot banana bread, zebu, rice, coffee, juice and thensome! |
And then we headed back to the van and onto our next destination.
Let's finish up with some road pictures before the next post (lemurs to look forward to...)
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| selling casava |
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| note the goat tied to the top of a bus |
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| roadside bike repair shop. |
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| I finally broke down and bought a couple of scarves. The first though the van window. The second from these ladies while in line for the bathroom at a gas station. |
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| Those are bricks on her head! |
I will have to check the itinerary for our next stop so you will just have to wait. I am going to board my plane soon so hopefully, I can get another post out in the next day or two from Nosy Bohara.
