October 13th

We awoke, packed, and to breakfast by 0650. Same same breakfast. Then we loaded up and out and about by 0730. Today we go from Ranohira to Ranomafana.

The terrain changes from highland-grassy area to more mountainous area. We stopped once for a chameleon crossing the road and a second time just at an overview area. We had driven quite a winding road up to get to the view, so it was nice. We think we went through at least one pass.
Now we came to Ambalavao and to our surprise we were getting out for a three hour trek! This will be through in the Anja Forest. We walked with a guide, Earnest, and two others, “animal spotters”(this is new addition). We saw so many chameleons, ring-tailed lemurs, and butterflies. We hiked up to an awesome viewpoint!!! It was a challenge for me and my being scared of heights. The guides did help me. But worth it! On way back out we saw quite a few lizards. Finished, we got Youzous and a world cola (their Coke substitute).

Next we stopped at a cooperation center, and saw paper being made. Then we were going to stop at a wine cellar, but we passed and George was okay with this.

Then arrived in Fianarantsoa, and went to an overview of this city. The city is the sixth largest of Madagascar. It is splayed out amongst hills, and pretty. Unfortunately, as we were loading up, discovered that the radiator was leaking 😕 ! This is not good. George added water and we had to go to get it fixed.

George found the place after asking around twice. He told we could get out. Jeff went to bank. I opted to stay and relax. It took at least 70 minutes to fix the radiator. Now we drive at night to our hotel. This is a totally different animal – tackling this road at night; having people still out on bicycles and walking without any lights ; and the big trucks approaching… hmm, not to fun. It took an 1.5 hours to reach the hotel, Ny Tanana. It was eight pm. We ordered supper, checked in and unloaded; then we went down to eat. Starters: Ceasars salad. Next the main: I had chicken and mushrooms in a cream sauce with fries; Jeff had a pork filet sauteed with veggies. Dessert: crepes w/chocolate; duo caramelized (half ring of grilled pineapple and small banana in syrup). Another table of tourists offered us some Malagasy wine (so we got a wine tasting after all). A taste was all we needed, not good.

After supper we went back up to our room showered and crashed.