May 31, 2004
"MAHAMBO"
by Jennifer Scheibling

Every exented field season needs a vacation every now and then. While most people (understandably) take their trips at the end of doing field research, some members of this years fossa team chose to take thiers before the field season technically began.

While Luke was away in the US and we were awaiting the arrival of Shaun; Jodie, Katie, Haley and I decided to take a road trip. Our final destination on this trip was Mahambo, a small village/town about two hours north of Tamatave on the northeast coast of the Island. On our way there we stopped at Andasibe National Park and Tamatave, each for one night.

Our original plan was to try to make it to Isle Sainte Marie, a small fathernorth of Mahambo, but the logistics of getting thereproved to be too difficult and we altered our plans a little. While Katie, was on her flight to Madagascar she sat next to a man who owns a bungalow resort in Mahambo and he suggested that we come out for a stay if we had the chance to, so we decided to take him up on his offer.

Our decision to go to Mahambo turned out to be a good change of plans. The bungalows were righton the beach and ours had two floors, a balcony and a great view. You could walk for hours on the beach and not see another soul; it was beautiful!! Only to add to our enjoyment was the fresh seafood caught daily and served at the bungalow restaurant. One night we each ordered lobster for five dollars each. It was spectacular!! All in all, for two nights and two days of great food and lodging on a practically deserted beach the total cost for each of us was less than twenty dollars. You can't beat that!!!