September 26th

Awoke around six to a rooster, the sun was already up. We readied and to breakfast, both chose the “Savory” menu. It included a mixed fruit cup and (lemongrass?) juice; next was bread and an omelet with ham and cheese; last was coffee and hot chocolate. Finished, we went back to our room and packed stuff. We met George at the lobby area at 750 – it was supposed to be 8, so we were both early. Loaded all up, we make way to leave the capital city of Antananarivo. George had to get gas and we wanted mosquito repellant. They did not have any, but we picked up couple of other things.

Leaving the bustling city, George informed us it has 7 million people, and is Madagascar's biggest city. We now travel the main road to Antsirabe. It's a fiveish hour drive. Jeff noted the further we are from the capital the worse the roads get, but not as congested because way less pedestrians milling the streets. There are still bottle necks due to the poor road conditions; the narrowness of the road itself; and the transporting “vehicles” – some are carts pulled with a yoke of oxen, or simply a cart pulled by a man. Also of course, the landscape has changed. It has become the rural area of the central high plateaus with a few small villages here and there. The valley follows a meandering river that is irrigated from and into fields and terraced designed steps all of different plots of vegetation. Some plots are flooded for rice paddies, I have also noticed corn, but that is my limit. George said rice is the number one crop, then 2nd is casava, with corn being 3rd.

We stopped briefly at Ambatolampy at a small steel smeltery for aluminum products. It was fascinating watching them pour the molten liquid metal into a form and literally stomping the form barefoot. Then uncovering it and, viola, a pot or lid. They do this all day without any breathing protection, aprons, or footware. They also have a few trinkets/figurines made of the polished aluminum – Baobab trees, lemurs, ect. that you can purchase, of course. We left and headed on to Antsirabe, passing by more terracing fields/plots, and an occasional roadside stand selling any and all matter of items, from the pots we saw being made; to Tonka type kids trucks; kids guitars and or drums; shoes dangling from an umbrella; cute real bunny rabbits; and of course, food/snacks. 

We arrived at our town and our Hotel H1 in Antsirabe. It was 5hrs and just in time, for a needed bathroom break! We got checked in and George took us out for lunch (not included in tour) and about the city. Restaurant was Zandina. We both opted for salads – they were huge. My salad had small piles of tuna, corn, shredded carrots, slice green pepper (which are not bell peppers, and not jalapenos – they have a tiny zing), potato salad, sliced tomato, broccoli, cauliflower, and a hard-boiled egg all resting on bed of a lettuce leaves!!! Jeff' was same, but with sliced meat and cheese. It was definitely too much! (We are going to have to rethink lunch situations – eating too much already!!!) Worst part, I ordered a side of french fries, because well, salad, right?

We left and George drove us to the oldest hotel left in Madagascar, Hotel des Thermes, built in 1897! It was huge and probably really grand at that time. Unfortunately is being neglected and in need of major overhaul. But a hallway inside the building did show pictures of it all festive, a century ago. You could image ladies sashaying in long dresses and men in suits and top hats. Anyway, from here we walked about town. (Yeah!- much needed walk-time!) We walked the main parade street, past some memorials – one a totem to the 12 tribes that make up Madagascar, other honoring WW1 &WW2 Vets. We then came to the abandoned depot (the train doesn't run anymore); walked past a few Christian Churches; a Mosque; around a small lake – taking in a rugby match on a bankside; to one of the biggest outdoor markets in Africa; and then basically back to our vehicle and our hotel. Siesta time. 

We met back up with George at 7pm to go to dinner. He took us to Valahara cafe Antsirabe restaurant. We arrived and were seated (next to some people we had seen at lunch, so we are on the “tourist circuit”).  The menus are mostly in French, but some parts are in Malagasy, which Google will not translate, frustrating in the least. George helped us and we were able to order. I had duck in a thick sauce with peppercorns and thyme garnish (but able to get it without shrimp, due to allergy) and sauteed veggies. Jeff had Zebu (which is a humped cow) but the meat was cow's tongue, in a thick sauce with side of wide noodles drizzled with fresh pesto. Both were excellent taste and presentation, as well as Malagaslas dishes. We went with a Madagascar wine. Then we had peach melba  dessert – sliced peaches with fresh whipped cream and small scoop of iced cream all drizzled with thick chocolate swirl. (The wine, actually sweeter than our liking, went better with dessert.) Anyway, George returned and I asked if he could pass to the chef our compliments. He brought the waitress over, some translation and she left. She returned with the chef, in his white frock and chef's toque. I then explained how impressed we were and cameras were going off with one of the owner's there. I was not expecting all the fanfare, but I felt the chef should be rewarded!! Indeed he was! 

What a finale to the day!! Mad Tour continues!