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| Blue Nose Chameleon |
Madagascar Day 3: Diego Suarez to Amber Mountain National Park, via Joffreville, Madagascar, Saturday, April 6, WTRD 21 of 36
After a continental breakfast at the lodge, Floris and Saulo pick us up. We travel to Amber Mountain through many miles of rural villages and a glimpse of Malagasy life.
On our way, Floris says there three possible reasons the Mountain is named Amber Mountain. We can only remember 2 of the three....color of the earth, buried amber find, and ????. This is the rain forest where apparently their are a lot of leeches. We bring our leech socks with us. Floris is amused, but respectful of our OCD over preparation of our journey. He thinks we needn’t be concerned, as it did not rain yesterday, and the ground is not soaking wet. We bring the socks with us just in case, as we have also brought our rain pants, rain jacket, and umbrella......all unnecessary, today. The weather is sunny, a bit overcast, and breezy...quite a lovely day for hiking. We too are amused about the useless, expensive leech socks we have brought with us. Well....you never know. That's a part of the adventure.
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| Few own cars. Walking and Private/Public Transportation is the Norm |
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| Barefoot and Flip flops are trending in Madagascar. |
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| Corrugated Metal Shacks are Both Home and Uncomfortable Ovens |
On our way, Floris says there three possible reasons the Mountain is named Amber Mountain. We can only remember 2 of the three....color of the earth, buried amber find, and ????. This is the rain forest where apparently their are a lot of leeches. We bring our leech socks with us. Floris is amused, but respectful of our OCD over preparation of our journey. He thinks we needn’t be concerned, as it did not rain yesterday, and the ground is not soaking wet. We bring the socks with us just in case, as we have also brought our rain pants, rain jacket, and umbrella......all unnecessary, today. The weather is sunny, a bit overcast, and breezy...quite a lovely day for hiking. We too are amused about the useless, expensive leech socks we have brought with us. Well....you never know. That's a part of the adventure.
We arrive at the Amber Mountain Park Entrance and sign in.
We see
Chameleons,
The blue nose chameleon uses its nose like a gun sight. Its life depends on the accuracy of its very long and sticky tongue. If the tongue misses the target and wraps on a branch, the chameleon is unable to disentangle and will die on the vine. If the nose is lined up with its prey, the tongue will wrap around a tastey morsel.
Centipedes,
Snails,
Boa constrictor,
spiders,
caterpillars,
cocoons,
butterflies,
frogs,
rain forest plant life,
one Madagascar King Fisher,
humans on the way to the market, late in the afternoon after walking 20 miles from home that morning,
Chameleons,
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| The smallest full-grown chameleon in the world. |
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| Floris has an amazing ability to spot the smallest most obscure wildlife that we would have missed! |
The blue nose chameleon uses its nose like a gun sight. Its life depends on the accuracy of its very long and sticky tongue. If the tongue misses the target and wraps on a branch, the chameleon is unable to disentangle and will die on the vine. If the nose is lined up with its prey, the tongue will wrap around a tastey morsel.
Snails,
spiders,
caterpillars,
cocoons,
butterflies,
frogs,
rain forest plant life,
one Madagascar King Fisher,
humans on the way to the market, late in the afternoon after walking 20 miles from home that morning,
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| They hope to sell their chickens and return home tonight.
and the elusive Lemur that we never saw. . Floris assures us we will see more lemurs tomorrow. After a full day in the rain forest we head back to the Nature Lodge.
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| This is a species of cow in Madagascar - The Zebu. |
Floris tells us that $400.00 a month is a good middle class salary that most people will never make. One is considered rich if you can make this much.
Unemployment is very high and 45% of the population is under 18 years of age. Less than half the population is literate. There are public schools, but parents must still pay tuition and buy books. Teachers with only a high school diploma earn about $50.00 a month, with bachelor’s degree and credentials, $100.00, about the same as a police officer or soldier, neither of whom have to have degrees. Boys and girls can join the military at age 14 or 15.
We pass through Joffreville.
We are happy to return to our lodge after a full day.
Unemployment is very high and 45% of the population is under 18 years of age. Less than half the population is literate. There are public schools, but parents must still pay tuition and buy books. Teachers with only a high school diploma earn about $50.00 a month, with bachelor’s degree and credentials, $100.00, about the same as a police officer or soldier, neither of whom have to have degrees. Boys and girls can join the military at age 14 or 15.
We pass through Joffreville.
We are happy to return to our lodge after a full day.
My stomach is rumbling tonight. Even though I have been careful, something I ate is not agreeing with me...maybe it was the coconut.
All is Well with the Worrall Travel Rs in Madagascar
