Last Saturday 12 senior missionaries went to the lemur park in Andasibe, a four and a half hour train ride from Tana. This blog entry is all mixed up in sequence, but the pics refused to download in the right order. Maybe some day I'll have the time to reorganize it!
We went to the crocodile park last. Earlier in the day they had been fed a cow, so were lethargic with fat stomachs.
En route we had to walk across several suspension bridges.
This boa constricter was a three-year old pregnant female. She was trying to constrict my arm.
Helisoa had the right grip.
A bittern? I didn't have my bird book along. But he is gorgeous and regal.
Coming from the river to check us out.
As I came back to the rest of the group after getting lost for awhile, the guide said, "Look! Leeches!" Two black leeches had attached themselves to my arm. He pulled one off and I pulled off the small one. They attach themselves to your skin so they are hard to take off. They looked like skinny black slugs. I don't think they were on long enough to get much nourishment from me! Along with the lemur incident (further along), Pres. Adams said I had the "Complete Rainforest Experience."
In our cabin, looking up at the loft where I slept.
At dinner. I am third from the end on the left. The food was good!
The river ran right through the Vakona Forest Lodge where we stayed.
The roofs of the cabins past the flowering bushes.
A canoe ride to catch a glimpse of the lemurs on their islands. It started to rain, and the Carons were prepared!
Suddenly a group of ringtailed lemurs jumped onto our boats!
Preparing for takeoff!
They jump very high (see the one on the left) and jump around on their hind legs for a long time.
That time with the lemurs was the most magical of the weekend.
On the way back.
We got in these canoes to take the very short trip across the river to the lemur island.
Another suspension bridge.
This is a different kind of lemur; very friendly. He jumps on shoulders and hands for pieces of banana.
Still another kind. This one peed on my hand!
On our way to see the lemur islands. This was Fred's first time to get in a canoe. He picked it up quickly but got stranded a few times.
Such a peaceful, quiet ride. I love canoeing.
Whoops! This is the start of our ride on the Micheline train at Tana, at 8 am on Saturday.
Some countryside views. Incredibly beautiful.
At one point we got off and watched the train go around a loop and under the tunnel below us.
Waiting for us when we got off the train at Andasibe. They wanted some cookies. Sr. Adams gave them each one.
At the lodge. The cabins were on top of a hill.
This yellow flower also grows in Puerto Rico. We brought back a ceramic one many years ago.
Coming across to the lemur island. It took about three minutes. You could practically jump across.
A village along the way on the train ride.
The Micheline had two unplanned stops. One was when it derailed (that took about 45 minutes to fix) and the second when it got a flat tire. The announcement on the loudspeaker: "Ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for your patience. It's a flat wheel."
This looks as though it were once a river valley which became rice fields.
We got off at the unplanned stops.
The interior of the Micheline, built in 1930, one of only two still running in the world (the other is also in Madagascar.) Very comfortable wicker seats.
But the seats are only resting on, not bolted to, the wooden floor.
Looking at the front of the train. There were three conductors eventually. All the 19 seats were filled but one. This shot was taken before they all got aboard.
Passing the outskirts of Tana.
Giving his daughters a ride.
Harvesting beside the river.
It was a great weekend! Sorry it's so jumbled.
Waiting for us when we got off the train at Andasibe. They wanted some cookies. Sr. Adams gave them each one.
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