ADVENTURE ON A WHIM

Written By Gabriele Marewski

Madagascar was not on my bucket list…

 

It all started with an email from my friend, Julie. She had purchased a package tour to bicycle 624 miles across Madagascar. A month before the departure, she realized she couldn’t go and asked me to take her spot. It is a very small group and it doesn’t work to drop out.

I check the airfare and find a really good rate and it ‘only’ takes 36 hours to get there. It’s a Miami-London-Johannesburg-Tana connection. So… I say “Yes!” and jump in.

The trip is organized by a company out of New Zealand called Escape Adventures. There are 12 bicyclists signed up, 9 are from New Zealand, 2 from England and I’m the only American.

Shirt featuring the bike tour group I am travelling with.
 
Map of Madagascar and my adventure travel route.

ABOUT MADAGASCAR

I look up Madagascar and learn:

  • It is the fourth largest island in the world

  • 80-90% of the species are endemic (they have evolved without outside influence)

  • It is known for its Lemurs, vanilla and orchid species

  • Climate will be a high of 75 degrees in the mountains and 90 degrees on the coast

We will travel from east to west - starting in the capital of Antananarivo where it is mountainous and descending to the coast - ending in Morondava after a detour to Tsingy Park.

 

PREPARATION

My preparation, on such short notice, is to hike steep trails around Asheville as flat roadside biking in Florida won’t do.

Escape Adventures is providing the bicycles and we are staying in local hotels & guesthouses. This makes packing easy. I even find a fold up bike helmet.

I can get my visa at the airport. The only concerns I have are that I’ve never traveled with a group before and I am wondering…

  • Will I fit in?

  • Can I keep up with the group?

  • How does it all work?

Me and all my travel gear.
 

ARRIVAL

I’ve never been to Africa! This is a tour of a lifetime! Escape Adventures recommends a pre-tour excursion to Andasibe National Park so I sign up. When I arrive in the capital city of Antananarivo (Tana), Eric is there to greet me.

Eric will be my driver for the excursion. He is married with two young children and speaks impeccable English. He loads up my bag and we head out of the city to Grace Lodge near the park.

The city is teaming with people! There are endless lines of vendors with fresh produce. We stop where I can get cherimoya, avocados and apples.

Everything feels so vibrant and there is such abundance!

Gabriele Marewski https://storyskyrts.com
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LEMURS & LIZARDS