Week 1: London- Tana- Andasibe

Week 1

London- Tana

Smooth journey via Nairobi with no excess baggage costs despite one of our boxes weighing over 30kg. All luggage turned up in Tana and thankfully we didn't have to show them the contents of our carefully packed bags and boxes. We checked into our hotel close to the airport at 2am and met up with Gary (Remote River Expeditions) and Roland (project Manager, Andranosoa).

Tana- Andasibe

Early in the morning, Mr Cornish went to the bank to change money and ended up a multi-millionaire. Mrs McCall was in charge of spending over 1 million Ar on food for our camp in the project village. At 13.00 we set off for the Eastern Rainforest and a national park called Andasibe where we spent 2 days hiking and lemur watching. Key lemur species seen were the Indri (see photo), Brown Lemur, Bamboo Lemur, Black and White Ruffed Lemur, and Woolly Lemur. The lovely log cabins (with flush toilets and warm showers)were to be our last taste of luxury for a while. One of the highlights for the pupils was a visit to lemur island where the lemurs are semi-tame and can be fed.

A male Indri feeding in Andasibe. One of the group's highlights was hearing their eerie call echoing around the forest. 

  

A Black and White Ruffed Lemur at Andasibe

Ross greets a friendly Brown Lemur

Bottoms holds the largest chameleon in the world (Parsons)

Speaking Malagasy

While we are in Madagascar i would like everyone to have a go at speaking the local language. Malagasy has its origins 4000 years ago on a tiny island in Indonesia. Together with influences from English, french and arabic, it is its own distinct language. Here is a great guide produced by the American Peace Corps giving you the basics: http://multimedia.peacecorps.gov/multimedia/audio/languagelessons/madagascar/MG_Malagasy_Language_Lessons.pdf
Watch this video about the lives of some people in the Capital Antananarivo to hear how the language is spoken.

Martin Clunes in Madagascar

Martin Visits Andasibe- where we will be on Monday- wednesday next week.

New Interactive Prezi Guide to the Expedition

Please wait until it has downloaded before you play.

Madagascar Expedition 2012 on Prezi

Messages from Michael Palin and Simon Reeve

I was honoured to spend Monday evening at an awards ceremony with Michael Palin, and Simon Reeve.

Both have gratefully recorded a little video message of support for our work.

Foundations completed, walls go up this week

Our project manager Roland is now living in Andranosoa and will be sending us daily updates of the building work as the deadline to complete the school draws near. In the last day, the foundations have all been finished and money has been transferred to purchase materials for the rest of the building.

Building Work Starts in Madagascar

With 52 Days to go until we depart for Madagascar, building work has started in ernest. Roland, our project manager in Madagascar has just sent us these photos.

20 Questions that Require Answers!

Just a quick check-list with 57 days to go!

1. Have you handed in all of your fundraising money to Mrs Clark? 
2. Have you paid all of your trip money?
3. Have you had all of your jabs?
4. Have you ordered Malarone or similar anti malarial?
5. Do you have extra packets of medicine that you may need?
6. Have you copied your passport for Mrs McCall and one to keep at home?
7. Have you given me any snorkelling equipment that you can lend?
8. Have you bought all of your equipment and clothes?
9. Are you getting to the peak of physical fitness? 
10. Are you working on your swimming if you are not a strong swimmer?
11. Have you been to the dentist recently for a check up?
12. Do you know your blood type?
13. Are all of your medical records up to date in school?
14. Are your emergency contact details correct on the school system?
15. Have you let me know of any specific dietary requirements?
16. Have you left the morning of Sat 7th July free to bring your kit to school?
17. Do you have any large holdalls/ kit bags you could lend for taking equipment out and back?
18. Do you have a partner that you will share a tent with? 
19. Have you read through the revised itinerary and risk assessment with parents/ guardians?
20. Are you still selling tickets for the England football shirt because it is still sitting in my office?!

Any specific answers please email me with a response. I will be giving out a form at the upcoming parents meeting on Wednesday the 13th June (tbc) where most of the other bits and pieces can be filled in (next of kin, diet etc...)

Mr Cornish 

Andranosoa Meetings

While work is well under way to build our new school, the village have been having a series of meetings to prepare them for our visit. Here are the latest photos from project manager Roland:

This is one of the primary school classrooms where we will be 'camping' during our project work 

Memories of Previous Expeditions to Madagascar

I was just going through my old photos of Madagascar and lots of excellent expedition Memories came flooding back!

Camping on a deserted coral island with pupils from the American School of Antananarivo

Construction work in the Eastern Rainforest

 4x4 Trip to the East coast with the American School

Teaching American school pupils how to build a fence in the Rainforest with Hennie (carpenter)

Camp cooking

Flying over the Eastern Rainforest with Gurt (pilot)

I'm sure that we will come back with equally amazing stories and photos!

Mr Cornish