travelogue-ketki

Madagascar Part 3

To just recollect I signed off part 2 with the Indris -Phantom of the forest.

Day -15-November 21: Our day on the road:

From the forest lodge we travelled to Brickville and then by boat in the Pangalana canal ,to Palmarium Beach.The evening highlight was to go to Aiyee-Aiyee Island.

We left Antasibe at 4.00 am to reach Bricksville by 11.00 am. We saw the Madagascar Pranticole nesting on roof tops here. We stopped for tea and snacks enjoying the close views of Pranticoles. From Bricksville to Pangalana the drive was very bumpy (last 7 kms).

By 2.00 pm we reached Palmarium hotel which is accessible only by a 90 minute boat ride. The hotel itself has species of chameleons, geckoes, brown lemurs and the Indris. After the nature walk we went to our rooms on another island, which was very lovely. The whole Island had small cottages and it was as though we 15 occupied the entire island. We were rushed up to leave by twilight to another island called the Aiyee Island. Nobody is allowed to stay there. We went on the Hunt for the eerie creature- the extremely extremely rare 'AIYEE'. We were informed that only 4 live on this island and we have to be lucky to see one at least at the feeding station.

Waiting silently and patiently surely our luck paid off and we saw 2 of them come in. Elated cameras went madly clicking though I enjoyed them eating the coconuts which we put out for them. What a wedding anniversary gift I had. I could not have asked for a better GIFT.

Day 16 November 22:

We travelled out of Palmarium by 3.00 am since we had to catch a flight from Tana to Majunga. When we reached Feony- a message was received about our flight beint delayed and so we all halted at Feony for morning siesta- which turned out magical. A tree full of Madagaskar blue pigeons were still sleeping. Indris lemurs came too close to us feeding on nearby trees and whilst we were enjoying them the pygmy kingfisher sat on the overhead wire. The white throated Rail feeding in the nearby river, was a pleasure to watch .We forgot that we were awake since 3.00 a.m.

What a wonderful way to spend our morning instead of grumbling that our plane was late.

We reached Matunga late in the night and settled in Etina Kelly Hotel.

Day 17 November 23:

Breakfast with the Coquerel's Sifaka.-Amazing thought-"NO"-" REALITY Cute and cuddly they came visiting us while we were enjoying a day when we were allowed to sleep till 7.00 am. All packed up we left to reach Karonashe. We took a boat safari in the Betse Boka Estuary. Flamingoes, greater egrets, dimorphic egrets, common ringed plovers, greater and lesser sand plovers, curlew and terek sandpipers were seen at the shore line. We were extremely lucky to see the rare Sacred Ibis too. Greater and lesser crested and Asunder's terns were flying around. We enjoyed a lovely Beach lunch. Then we went shopping for Madagascar Vanilla at Karona market.

After settling in our big bus we were driven to Ankarafantsika National Park.

Day 18 November 24:

At 5.00 am we went for a morning walk in the Botanical garden which is a part of the park for 2 main birds-white breasted Mesite and Schlegel's Asity. Both birds were seen in pairs. It was extremely hot and I had not taken a shower as there was no hot water available at the forest lodge. There was no fan /or Ac too. After a quick breakfast we left for Belle vue trail. Got good views of Van dam's Vanga, Rufus vanga and the sickle billed vanga. France's goshawk was seen on the path. It was an excitng but exhausting day since the sun was really harsh on us. In all the excitement, everyone pushed me on a thorny bush which brushed on my cheek and it just missed my eye. A sharp cut close to my eye left a scar on my face. Hardly I had time to wipe my blood, when we were to load up the bus, to go to a nearby marsh where someone had seen the Madagascar Jacana.

Evening was spent near the lake Lacervolt where a Sea Eagle gave splendid photographic poses for all.

Night walk brought out-regular banded chameleon, dwarf lemurs, and Green chameleon.

Day 19 November 25:

It was a late start-6.00 am - No bath-no water in taps-long day of travel ahead.

Our Bus halted at a Marsh area-where a few African pygmy geese and a lone painted snipe were swimming and feeding. The rest of the troop went down in search of Harlequin Quail. I got a good view when it was flushed out. Randy, a colleague in our group did not see this bird at all and was quite upset about the entire episode. Lots of mangoes were sold on the road and we ate some too.

Reached Tana, stayed at the Carlton- 5 star hotel where finally I could wash and scrub myself well.

All of us assembled for the last time, wished goodbyes and spoke of highlights and retired for the day.

Day 20 November 26:

Slept in till late, shopped for some local chocolates and ready to catch plane to India (safe without PLAGUE) GOOD BYE TO A GREAT TIRING /EXHAUSTING BUT MEMORABLE TRIP.

Photographs of the day:

BRICKVILLE:

SEE THE TENREC HANGING ON WIRE

PALMARIUM

THE RARE EERIE( ET -LIKE) AYIEE.

DAY 17 :

DAY AT THE ANKARAFANTSIKA NATIONAL PARK:

MADAGASCAR GREEN PIGEON WITH CHICKS
JUST A RECORD SHOT (RARE BIRD)

THE BOTANICAL GARDEN -2 BEAUTIES
SCHLEMIEL'S ASCITY AND WHITE THROATED MESITE. It was so chamoflaged that i will be happy if you spot them in the photograph.