September 27TH

Breakfast at hotel: sunny side eggs, bread with jam and butter, pineapple and papaya. We checked out and hit the road by 700. Today George said is a LONG drive 10-11hrs!! We will go from Antsirabe to end destination of Morondava – on the west coast. He also said we will be on worsening roads. Well he, of course, was right.

As we drive the roads go down to gravel in places and many bridges are one lane traffic. The topography also changes. It becomes drier and hotter (not too happy without A.C.) It is around 100 degrees F. There are less trees – just turns into brush mostly, and becomes more mountainous. One benefit of windows open is here some birds, cicadas, and grasshoppers. George made some quick stops to stretch and explained about ant mounds and the burning the people do. It doesn't help ecosystem, but people are poor and do what they know, “wanting government aid,but do not get it). Also another 'progression', is the decline in housing in general. Housing declines to brick (they make their own), then to earthen walls, and eventually to sticks with grass roofs.

The people though, smile a bunch and seeming, in general, are happy. There are MANY children and George said some in the country don't go – can't afford school. We saw a group of twenty people running – in the heat. They were carrying someone bones – a tribute? We also stopped and watched some pounding/grinding rocks and then sift in in the stream – for gold. George said they will sell it to Dubai. Anytime we stop if there a kids they swarm us and want candy, water or chocolate – as George translates it.

We stopped at Miandrivazo for lunch – we are still eating too much. We just each had a starter soup and bow tie pasta. George gave us 1 hr and 15 min. to eat – was way to long, and we did do a little walk about – need the exercise. We also stopped at a great lookout – a “gazebo” built by Chinese.

Anyway, from here we head south and they west to the coast and Morondava. We arrived into town as the sun was setting; by time we were at our place it had set; but we could see the Ocean! When we were checked in – we were given an apartment. It had A.C.; a balcony – we were able to catch last rays of the day. Cleaned up and went to supper. (The hotel is having internet issues, and quite a few people were scrambling.) We had cubed scewered fish with rice and marinated steak with veggies. Back to our room and readied for bed. It was 10.5 hours time in the car. We were exhausted due to heat – can't image how George is doing the driving.