Madagascar Adventure - Day One

Hello

My name is Tracy Dove and I am the Education and Conservation Officer at the Isle of Wight Zoo. In November I was lucky enough to visit Madagascar on behalf of the zoo.

I had hoped to write a live blog about my trip but I had no access to the internet while I was away. However I kept a diary of my adventures so although I am now actually back in the UK please follow my ‘deferred’ blog and take a virtual journey with me to the wonderful island of Madagascar.

 The Isle of Wight Zoo has been a member of the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group (MFG) for many years. Our membership means that even though we are a small zoo with limited resources and expertise we can make a tangible contribution to protecting the precious species on Madagascar. The MFG was formed 25 years ago and to celebrate this milestone the annual meeting, which usually alternates between a European and a US venue, was recently held in Madagascar. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the meeting and to see first-hand all the amazing conservation work taking place.

 

DAY ONE – The Adventure begins

I slept very fitfully last night, listening to the gale howling outside my window and hoping against hope that the ferries would be running so I could get off the Isle of Wight to start my long journey.

There are no direct flights to Madagascar from the UK so on this first day I was heading for Paris.
Because I was travelling alone and there would be no-one to help me carry my luggage I was trying to travel light. I had packed the minimum of spare clothing but my rucksack was still crammed full with items necessary for a three week stay in a developing country with a tropical climate – mosquito net, sleeping bag, water purifying tablets, torch, Malagasy phrasebook and of course a packet of good English teabags!
Thankfully my ferry did set off on time and the subsequent coach journey from Southampton to Heathrow was swift and comfortable. I must confess though that as my flight took off for Paris I did have a tight knot of nerves in my stomach at the thought of travelling tomorrow to Madagascar on my own. My guide book was full of advice about how to stay safe, what to do if robbed, tips for dealing with assertive porters and the importance of never going out after dark – all very helpful but probably not the best in-flight reading material for someone already full of trepidation!
It was dark as the plane descended towards Charles de Gaulle airport and I glanced out of the window. The lights of Paris stretched as far as the eye could see and in the distance I could see both the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.  I had booked a room at an airport hotel and once I had collected my bag (always such a relief when it appears on the carousel!) I caught the futuristic monorail and was soon checking in. After a simple meal it was time for an early night.
Tomorrow I go to Madagascar!