Buying bananas by the side of the road
Writing this now sitting beside a lake, surrounded by rainforest in the Mantadia National Park. Here for a couple of nights after driving most of the day yesterday leaving behind the capital Antananarivo, after visiting the old royal palace. Bit full on but after arriving here we headed straight out for a night walk to spot Mouse Lemur, Pygmy Lemur, various other lemurs, a baby chameleon and several species of frogs which I have forgotten but who were memorable for being minute but very pretty! When I say I saw lemurs, well that's not strictly true as we all shone our headlamps into the trees and we saw a lot of little red eyes staring back at us but our trusty guides (Mamy and William) assured us that is what we saw and who am I to doubt them?. Very hot and humid here during the day and just warm and humid at night.
Ring-tailed Lemurs
Today (our 4th day) we headed out at the crack of dawn to do some serious lemur spotting and managed to find a whole family of Diademed Sifaka, incredibly photogenic, with short arms and very long legs. They are superb jumpers and move effortlessly between the trees – picture attached hopefully.
Ring-tailed lemur family
Diademed Sifaka 1
Diademed Sifaka 2
Wont bore you to death with tales of other lemurs spotted through binoculars high up in the canopy but it was a good morning. Before setting off we kitted up in our leech gear, deet and sunblock – I had taken quite a lot of stick about my “leech-phobia” but no way was any leech getting at me! I think the locals think we are nuts and as it turned out we didn't see a single one, not sure whether I was disappointed or not , no that's ridiculous, I was delighted not to see the little suckers. Another night walk coming up then tomorrow we move on to Perinet Reserve. Talked a lot about the fabled Aye Aye which I am told has fingers like Edward Scissorhand, teeth like a rabbit and ears like a bat – sounds interesting if the description somewhat unkind and we are unlikely to see any. Did see a troupe of Indri – incredibly noisy lemurs who can be heard for miles. Recorded as hearing is believing!!!!
My very own intrepid explorer plus THOSE leech socks....
Rainforest frog
There are 9 of us in the group and some interesting characters who all luckily like food, beer and birds. Doug is in his usual 7th heaven having spotted plenty of birds but is, of course, looking for the slender billed fluff tail (as you do...).
Moving on shortly, not sure when this will go up.
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