A tough day

Sunday

We had a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit and proper croissants after our 6.15 wake-up call, the set off for the village about 30 mins away to get tickets for the NP, buy water and pick up the 2 guys who were going to cook our lunch.

The one of the highlights of a trip to Madagascar is the Grand Canyon in Isalo NP referred to byDevla Murphy who said it was so incredible you’d think you were hallucinating. I think I may well have been, but due to walking and climbing in 38-40 degree heat. The natural erosion has produced bizarre outcrops of wind-blasted sandstone. (Mostly it is granite or limestone here). After the climb, which included some high steps, we walked along dry, dusty paths across a plateau before descending steeply for about a km to a natural oasis pool and waterfall. We all enjoyed a swim and a soak under the waterfall before climbing up a bit to have our lunch - rice and omelette for us and zebu meatballs for the others.

The 4 men, the 2 sisters and Trish the youngest of the 3 sisters plus Jackie (who boasts of her speedy walking and is up the bum of the guide she walks so close to him) and Charles the guide continued on further into the canyon fir a longer walk. The rest of us had to return by the way we came, stopping to see some tombs of the Bara people.

I found the climb up in the heat really debilitating even though I’d soaked my hat in the pool before we set off. I had to take frequent tests and drink lots though the water was as hot as tea. The others are over 15 years younger than I, still happily in early 60s and 50s.

The cold shower was wonderful. Eventually the bus arrived back at 5.30. Mr C went off for a shower while a few of us got into the bus to drive to La Fenetre for the sunset. It was pretty enough.

On my return I found that Mr C had had an incident on his longer walk. He and Dennis had fallen behind, had a sit down and Mr C keeled over. “Oh shit” said Dennis. Mr C said to put his rucksack under his head as he rested. Eventually they continued. The great team player Nick aged a mere 54 carried his bag and took his arm down the steps. The walked 50 m to a camp site and dowsed him in cold water. Once his body temp was reduced he was fine. My walk was 6 miles so his would be 10. No problem at home but as I said to him, we were told to stay indoors with curtains closed when it was hot at home. He assures me he has learned his lesson. In fact everyone on both walks found the whole experience debilitating in the extreme.