Operation Wallacea in Madagascar: Days 3 and 4
Day 3 & 4 – Northern Madagascar, Mariarano, Matsedroy 15/06/2024 & 16/06/2024 – Saturday & Sunday
Our first weekend in Madagascar started off with an early morning of dragging our bags to the minibus transporting us across the vast landscapes of Northern Madagascar, heading west. The early start meant sleepy eyes for the first 2 hours of the ride, as the sun rose across the grassy highlands people started to wake up and take in the view. As the hours ran by the bus became hotter and hotter and hotter…. We were all suffering, as the clock hit 12:30 pm we stopped in a local village for a meal consisting of meats and rice. As we were eating the smell of bananas wafted around us as they brought them in for desert. They were some of the most delicious we all had ever had, they were so sweet and as soft as clouds.
Some of the boys chuckled around with the locals from the village in a game of football as the rest of us stood there sweating like never before. As the afternoon carried on the wheels on the bus never seemed to stop turning. The group embraced this as we all sang along to the music blasting from the speakers. Eventually we arrived at the hotel, all of us feeling so tired. We fell asleep instantly, ready for our 2:45 am wake up.
As the next day came upon us it was a struggle for all of us as we left with the moon still shining outside for next part of our bus journey, this one 5 hours long towards the Mariarano campsite in the dry forest. Just like yesterday the sun rise was outstanding. As 9:00 am rolled around we stopped, finally, we were all glad. At this time we met our main leader from Opwall called Emma, who showed us the 4 by 4 wheelers which would take us along the barren, lonely savannah lined with red dirt soil. The drive lasted 2 hours and was so magical as the sun warmed our faces and we passed all the palm trees. As we approached the final stretch we stopped at a stream filled with local Malagasy people washing their clothes and bathing. Finally after a long 2 days of travelling we finally greeted all the other Opwall staff at the main campsite.
We were introduced to the way the camp works, which was definitely a shock to us all. Later we enjoyed some beans and rice for lunch, cooked perfectly as we chatted with others at the camp before we set off on the 3 hour hike to the other satellite camp, called Matsedroy. The hike started off in the scorching mid afternoon heat as we crossed the dry crop fields filled with locals having livelihoods. We witnessed many locals straw homes as we got closer to the treachous river crossing. It was quite refreshing but at the same time a little bit scary as we were informed of the snakes living in the river. After what felt like days we arrived at Matsedroy camp, placed by a lake home to crocodiles. As our first night in the forest came to a close we slept with our tents firmly closed so no bugs could enter.
Robyn
