Bound for Madagascar for
Awesome Africa Adventures part III. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Antananarivo.
After our flash hotel room and fancy breakfast we crossed the hotel courtyard to catch our transfer bus back to Bole International Terminals form yet another battle with airport processes. The first big bus was filled quickly with lots of pushing and line jumping. The next was a small bus and we managed to get aboard. (Thankfully our luggage was checked through to Antananarivo from Arusha and the airline has advised us to pack toiletries and clothing) Then through the first scanner, unscathed -but the usual chaos of juggling all the bits and shoes off. We all made it through without any issues other than a couple of pat downs)
Onto next step through passport control and the second scanner, a rather officious worker sent me through a different body scanner than my bags, she tried to get Suzie to come too but she refused and went through the original line.
Again, all through with no bag checks – a first for us.
We walked back around to find our gate and straight into queue for boarding. A 15 minute wait and onto a bus out to the plane. There are so many flights and a huge number of planes out on the tarmac. Again we have been allocated exit row (which Suzie is not keen on, Phil appreciates the extra leg room.) We swapped back a row to allow a lady with injured ankle to have the leg room.
After a long taxi – we are off the ground at 9:28 (30 minutes late).
I watched a good movie called ‘Afraid’ all about AI taking over. I also managed to review my camera pics from Monday – our full day game drive. I had just over 800.
My second movie was interrupted by announcements and the disembarkation card filling in.
We landed early at 1:20 so they made up time in the air.
Woo hoo – Madagascar here we come!!!
Benja was there to meet us and we tried to secure some local money – Ariat. However the card reader was not working so no cash for Mary, Phil and I. Suzie had some USD still so she changed cash.
Into the vehicle for a short drive to our hotel for tonight. Through the streets of Antananarivo and down a narrow lane, a toot of the horn and a gate opened to the Gassy Country House. A quaint little place. 10 rooms which looks like its family run. Maybe grandpa and some grandsons??? It’s all French to me.
We had our welcome drink and selected our meals for dinner. A two course meal with a choice of starters/main/dessert. Between us we nearly have the menu covered.
Our luggage which had been checked through has been returned quite wet. Mary has suffered the most with the contents of her bag ranging from wet to dripping wet. So our rooms and balconies are like a Chinese laundry. Nothing ruined. We have a very early start tomorrow – 5:15 breaky and 5:45 departure.
I have developed a stack of itchy bites yesterday after the flight. They have continued to drive me nuts today.
Dinner at 6:30 in the dining room. Benja joined us for dinner and briefed us about our trip.
Tomorrow we fly EARLY TO Morondova, a city of 200 000 people, which is close to Kirindi NP.
Benja also explained that we will travel in two vehicles for comfort. Water will be provided, given Raw Africa Eco Tours commitment to the environment we have been asked to request ‘No pipet- no straw’ and as for Africa we need to be prepared for things to be
‘Mora Mora’ – slow slow.
For dinner Sebastian brought Suzie and Benja the Tomato Mozzarella salad, Phil had a cream of vegie soup. For mains Mary had a Vegetarian spaghetti, Phil the Grilled Chicken, and Suzie and I the Gassy Soupe. Mary and I both had a finely chopped Fruit salad of banana, pineapple and guava for dessert.
Then it was back to pack for our departure. Poor Mary and Phil had everything out of their luggage and the actual luggage to get dry. Some of Mary’s clothing went up to the rooftop clothesline also. The staff retrieved it before dark.
Into bed early after applying liberal amount of ointment to my itchy itchy bites.
Travel adventures with Nicola & co. 