O Madagascar: Sacred Beach Lemurs 2010

[Lavabe]

Here we go again to Madagascar. Like last year, I ask that this be stickied to the top. As always, if you have any questions/comments, please post, and I'll try to respond.
Okay folks... an explanation for the title is in order.

This year, I am heading over as a collaborator on a Canadian grant; two of closest colleagues are faculty at Western Ontario, and they successfully wrote up a Canadian grant for this trip. I am also going over with two other collaborators. SO, in honor of everything north of the border (including colchar), sung to the tune of O Canada:

O Madagascar
Our rare and special land!
True nature's love where all the lemurs stand.
...

Departure date is Tuesday, May 25. Return day is August 11th ish. After a few weeks in which I help the Canadians with some ecotourism training for a remote village, I'll be studying behavior of crowned lemurs and Sanford's lemurs in a small sacred forest near the northern tip of Madagascar. Looks like I'll also be getting a little cultural anthro data as well, looking at ecotour guiding and local folklore.

More details as I find time while prepping in this last week.
Cheers,
Lavabe

[CameronBornAndBred]

Travel safe Lavabe, so looking forward to your updates. (Throwing safe vibes your way)

[lawgrad91]

Safe trip, Lavabe. Vibes for you. Looking forward to your updates!

[YmoBeThere]

Have a safe journey over to Madagascar!

[cl15876]

I already sent vibes in another thread for ya, but you can never get enough! Looking forward to reading about your trip this year! Travel safe! 2,000+

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Safe and successful travels vibes for you, Lavabe! }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[Very Duke Blue]

Safe travels. I hope everything goes as planned. Many vibes to you and the Canadians.

[devildeac]

Is it Good Morning in Madagascar yet?

[Miles]

Last weekend State-side. Hectic packing or will you get a chance to relax with the family?

[windsor]

This is very disturbing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/world ... lobal-home



Lavabe...pack the lasers (and not for the lemurs!)

[TillyGalore]

Bye, Lavabe. Safe travels.



Here is something to help you , something to watch over you , for the days that you are frustrated .

My wish you a safe trip.
Don't forget to pick your drivers .
If you see a give 'em a hello from me.
Here are a couple of cuz you're going to need them.
I'm sending you a to help you stay cool.
And of course, will miss.

Can't wait to read about your travels.

[devildeac]

He should be at the airport by now with plans for departure about 3 PM. He has made "arrangements" to have all seats vacated in front of him and adjacent to him.

[DevilAlumna]

Came back to read up on your travels again this summer - hope the planes/trains/automobiles portion of the trip is going well so far!

[Lavabe]

Hello folks!

I just arrived in Tana (shortened name for the capital, Antananarivo) late last night after 24 hours of flying. All in all, the flights were very smooth, and I had little waiting. The 10 hour flight from Paris to Tana was about 60% full. That's great for me, but NOT good news for Madagascar, as ecotourism/tourism depends on larger numbers of folks coming in. Although the researcher numbers are MUCH higher than last year, I'm afraid the tourist numbers are not going to be good. This could be a very bad sign for Madagascar.

A few weeks ago, things politically were much tougher in Tana, but it looks like they are now much more calm. This is a good sign.

I have a couple of days here working on permits, and setting up for more discussions with folks. I am trying to lay the groundwork for a major grant next year, and to do so requires letters and support from colleagues over here. This is not the fun stuff that I'll be dealing with later in the trip, but it's nonetheless good to see folks I haven't seen in a while, including fellow lemur researchers.

I am also getting used to the slower internet service. Ycch...

More details will appear later, as time permits.

Cheers,
Lavabe

[Lavabe]

Note to self: to avoid having papers and clothes smell like bug repellent, next time, place all containers of bug repellent in sealable plastic bags.

Just sayin'.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Hello folks!

I just arrived in Tana (shortened name for the capital, Antananarivo) late last night after 24 hours of flying. All in all, the flights were very smooth, and I had little waiting.

Glad all has been copacetic so far. Hope it continues for you!

Don't forget to change your location in the user control panel as you move around and subsequently check in here!

[devildeac]

for the safe arrival and update.

Have a vanilla bean or two for celebration.

And a THB ;) .

[Lavabe]

Came back to read up on your travels again this summer - hope the planes/trains/automobiles portion of the trip is going well so far!

Seems like next year, the way to go from Tana to Antsiranana (Diego) will not be by jet, but to go there by luxury bus. A fellow researcher says it's VERY nice to do, and 20% the course of a flight.

The best part of the Air France flight from Paris - Tana was catching up on movies that neither ILJ nor Legacy Lady want to watch. In succession I watched: Invictus, A Beautiful Mind, Amadeus, and Inglorious Basterds. Makes me wonder what I'm going to watch on the 16-hour flight from Johannesberg to Atlanta.

[Lavabe]

for the safe arrival and update.

Have a vanilla bean or two for celebration.

And a THB ;) .

THB (pronounced TAY AHSH BAY) = Three Horses Beer (definitely tastes good, and is in no way related to Kentucky's Horse Piss beer.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Note to self: to avoid having papers and clothes smell like bug repellent, next time, place all containers of bug repellent in sealable plastic bags.

Now the bugs won't bother you while you are reading. Great to hear you made it safely!