Taolanaro, Madagascar

Hi All,

Now at sea on our way to Mozambique.  Yesterday we visited our second and last port in Madagascar, the city of Taolanaro.  Before I describe our very nice tour, I'll write a few words about Madagascar.  

About the size of France, Madagascar is the 4th largest island in the world.  Once a French colony, it gained independence in 1960.  The country then went through a period of political upheavals, coup d’etats, etc.   The current constitutional government was established in 2014 with the election of Hery Rajaonarimampianina (I hope he wasn’t a write in candidate ).  In 2012, the population was estimated at just over 22 million, 90% of whom live on less than two dollars a day.  This is a very very poor country, certainly one of the poorest we have ever visited.

Madagascar has an amazing ecosystem.  Approximately 90% of all animal and plant species on the island are found no where else in the world.  This distinctive ecology has led some to call Madagascar the “eighth continent.”  For example, the island is home to 170 palm tree species, of which 165 are endemic to Madagascar.  Three fourths of Madagascar’s 860 orchid species are found here alone.  Many native plant species are used as herbal remedies for a variety of ailments.  The drugs Vinblastine and Vincristine, used to treat Hodgkin’s disease, leukemia and other cancers, were derived from the Madagascar periwinkle.

Like its flora, Madagascar’s fauna exhibits a high rate of endemism.  Lemurs are the stars of the show.  Everyone loves these cuties!  As of 2012, 103 species of Lemurs have been identified.  Unfortunately, almost all are classified as rare, vulnerable, or endangered.  Many of Madagascar’s endemic species are threatened by deforestation.  Some estimates are that all the island’s rainforests will be gone by 2025.

So that is a bit of information about this amazing island (Thank you Wikipedia.  You really didn’t think I knew all this stuff, did you?)  Now on to our tour yesterday to a botanical garden/zoo, the city, and a beach.  This was a ship’s tour for 18 people in a small bus.  As we headed to our first stop at the garden, we saw lots of locals walking along the road.  Many were carrying loads on their head.

A basket of fish

Waiting for a bus.

As our bus passed kids, they all wanted candy.  We have been told it is not a good idea to give children in these developing countries candy due to the lack of dental care.

A rice paddy.

It is easy to see from these houses that this is a poor country.

 

The botanical garden was a beautiful walk through a tropical forest.

Many flowers including these hibiscus.

The famous Madagascar Traveler's palm.

Some very tall bamboo trees.  They made a squeaky noise as they rubbed together in the wind.

This plant is a carnivore.  At the top of the picture you can see one the traps that it uses to catch insects.

These crocodile were scary even behind a fence, and they smelled bad.

A turtle family

Ringtail Lemurs

This man feeds the Lemurs.  Some of them jumped into his boat as he approached the island they live on.

How do I get off this thing?  Lemurs don’t swim.

Doesn’t this one looks like a cat from the rear (with a really big tail).

After the botanical garden we headed for the city.  We passed this large and very hectic market.

Chickens going to market

Part of the island’s deforestation problem is related to the use of charcoal.  These bikes are loaded with charcoal for sale.

Finally we made a stop at a beach to relax and have a cold drink.  Some people went swimming, but we did not.  We could see our ship from the beach.

So, that was our day in Madagascar.  It really is an amazing place, but its people have been victimized by a sucession of failed and corrupt governments.  Hopefully the future will be brighter for these mostly impoverished people.  Time will tell.

We are now on the first of two sea days on our way to Mozambique, another country that has faced many challenges.  Will report from there in a couple days.  We are now 2/3s through the cruise with 39 days remaining.

Jer and Helen