Backblip

Sunday

We had a long drive of 5 hours, through the city then climbing through mountains, stopping at a high viewpoint to admire the stunning scenery below. We looked down to the rice fields and villages.

The Fafeon’ny Ala lodge near Moranga is NE from the capital is basic but pretty. We had a hut equipped with bedroom and shower room. A balcony looked out on to a river and trees. The common brown bamboo lemurs were playing on the balcony next door.

We had a 3 hour walk in Voimma reserve where we saw 3 types of lemur - Indri, common brown, Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur. We also saw a leech which took a liking to Dennis, and a Parson’s chameleon.

Back at the lodge we had to order the food we wanted for dinner and then we got ready for the night walk as we needed strong shoes and long sleeves and long trousers as well as a head torch. I was glad I had my walking pole as there were some high steps to reach before we got to another path. Our guide had a torch and a laser pen to the point out creatures. This time we saw Goodman’s mouse lemur, Fat-tailed lemur, bright eye treefrog, and a young Parson’s cameleon which was a kind of grey not bright green like the adult.

By the time we got back it was 8.30. I had a stir fry veg and haricot beans and we shared a beer.

Some stayed up drinking various spiced rum cocktails but we were recovering from the journey and the long twisty rough bus drive.

There was wifi in reception and occasionally WhatsApp messages came in but we weren’t able to send any out so blip will have to wait for better access.