We left the dry spiny forests(Berenty Lodge) for higher elevation and rain(Mantadia Lodge). We startedfrom Berenty Lodge on August 25th with an hour and a half drive to the Tolanaro Airport. We got there in plenty of time to check in. Check-in involved another issue with luggage- turns out that a backpack strapped to a duffle bag is considered 2 pieces and we are only allowed one checked-bag per person. After a short discussion which involved some yelling and Tibor being escorted back to the passenger side of the counter, we had a solution. A black garbage bag and duck tape to the rescue- put both bags into the garbage bag and duck tape it shut- viola it’s now a single checked bag.
Again they waived the over-weight luggage fees.
The 2-hour flight was to Tana. We were then driven 30 minutes or so to a very lovely hotel in Tana- Maison Gallieni.
The next day(26th) we drove almost 7 hours to get to the Mantadia Lodge. I was expecting a 3 1/2 hour drive but it was interesting and I slept/rested most of the way.
