Mapless in Madagascar

Trooper W. Bond smiled down from above.


Cheers

I'm betting you didn't have to do too much persuading

Thanks Tiffany! As usual the pic’s and report are great! You know how to travel for sure.

Great photos full of colors

Thank you for sharing your adventures

While waiting for the continuation...

See you soon and safe journey

I had a swimming pool which looked like has that...

(In my dreams... )

This blue is incredible...

Your report is a Gem!


I'm more than a little impressed at how you use the camera's timer function. I always promise myself to do this...and then rarely do.

More please?

Love your RR. Keep up the great work

As I prepare the next episode of my RR, I thought I'd see if any of you guys will vote for my picture to be used in the next Horizons Unlimited calendar.
Out of 600 entries one of mine has made it to the final 25, which is fantastic.
They are currently being voted for here - mine is close to the bottom of this page. There are some amazing shots - they don't identify the people or places yet- that will be when the voting has finished.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/photo-forum/help-choose-2015-calendar-winners-75142-2

It's one of my Baobab tree pictures.



Any support is greatly appreciated

However, voting is only possible if you are already signed up to Horizons Unlimited, if you're not a member (it's free), it is very simple to register, click on the link below

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/user/register

Don't worry, it's not a spam or gimmick, and they do not flood you with unwanted emails and messages.

Follow the yellow van - by Madagascan standards, this van still has plenty of space for more luggage.



I'm heading towards the Vanilla Coast in the North East

I pause to have a chat with a guy running a motorbike repair place - not quite how they look back home, but he seemed to know what he was doing.




Suzi was kept parked overnight in the hotel reception



The guys cheered when I rode out straight down the steps - I have to admit I may have looked more confident than I felt, I can't stand it when I know my feet can't reach the ground at all.

The road started to deteriorate and the traffic became more rural



I hadn't been on dirt for a while, so it was a welcome sight



But the ominous sight of clouds was not quite so welcome, I was reaching the area I'd been warned about and the last thing I needed was the rain and mud as I tackled these hills



I bought some fresh bread from the baker - he was on his rounds through the remote villages and was delighted to have a foreign customer in the middle of nowhere.

The water pics are the best! I didn't see any T.V.s!

Vote added! Love those trees and this thread.

All in favor, say "Aye!"......

vote cast!

bonne journee

Thelma???





moment maybe?

Definitely a senile moment!! I'll go back and change it now- thank you Mr Sharp Eyes

Thank you for all your votes - doing OK so far.
If I am successful, I'm wondering if it's a bit cheeky to ask for my picture to be on my birthday month...

Breakfast was the usual noodle soup type dish with milky tea, sunshine and good company in the form of this schoolgirl who spoke good french



And at my feet, pecking up any bits that I dropped...


Daisy Duck - destined for the stew pot in the not too distant future according to her owner.

Congestion on the road caused by this pig having a bath and not wanting to move


This photo was taken by the guy guarding a broken down pick up truck, he'd been there 24 hours already when I saw him.


The weather changed dramatically from the sun to grey clouds and rain
Having grappled with mud in the rain (and been so miserable with it I did NOT stop to take pictures), I paused at this village


I realised my rear tyre was very soft and so I got my pump out (Thom, you might recognise the pump!)
The guys were all very intrigued and so I let them take over




I pushed on hard for the final part of the day's ride- there's nothing like the thought of a cold beer as motivation...


And I'd once more reached the coastline - looking somewhat worse for wear after yet another bloody tough day.

Yes, strangely enough, the main brewery in Madagascar has an English name Three Horses Beer, or THB as it is known.
It's not bad, though to be honest after all the hard riding through dirt, dust and mud, any beer would taste good.

Now where was I? Oh yes, sat on a beautiful beach, enjoying the view whilst sipping a cold beer - life feels good despite my aching muscles, and at least I'm clean as I also had a shower - many of these hard days end with no shower at all, just a dip in the sea or a river if I'm lucky.

The fishermen are paddling past on their way home




My dinner arrives - tomato salad and chips.. the life of a vegetarian



I went for a stroll through the village and met this little boy, who shyly showed me his homemade boat - constructed from a discarded flip flop, twigs and leaves



He demonstrated how well it floated



And I went with him downstream where he and his friends were racing them- using the gentle breeze blowing in from the ocean.

Some of us are reading and paying attention and not just looking at the pretty pictures and waiting for the latest fashion tips.