A MAGICAL ISLAND

In the story "The Chronicles of Narnia" the children step into the "wardrobe closet" and exit out the back into a new world.  Africa is a bit like Narnia - it seems each time we visit a new country it is like entering a magical kingdom - one we have never before seen.  This was definatly the case in our first city - Tamatave.  Not only were the people, the country and the town magical, but we also got to surprise Elder Walker (one of TJ's best friends) with homemade cookies and a care package.  He stood there and ate the whole bag (about 2 dozen) in about 5 minutes!  

Each morning we awoke we wondered what new adventure would be have today.  They say a picture says a thousand words so here are some of our favorites in Tamatave.

Couldn't quite decide what to have for lunch - very fresh chicken or pork with flies.  After lunch on Monday we left for the 8 hour winding drive to the capital city of Antananriva.  We saw amazing villages on the way.

We stopped at Lemur Island to feed the lemurs.  Holding a bit of squashed banana the lemurs jumped from the trees onto our heads, 

back and arms. They are an endangered species and the only place you find them in the world.

What an incredible experience!  If this is a dream I don't want to wake up!

Taylor decided to share his lunch with a lemur.

This couple are traveling with all their belongings and cooking lunch while they float down the river.  Is this not a national geographic moment?!  Seriously, WHO GOES TO MADAGASCAR ANYWAY?!?!  It was like being on another planet.  Beauty, Kindness, Poverty, Simplicity Abound!

Laundry day in Madagascar

After 2 days in the country side we arrived in the capital city of Antananiriva.  Population 2 1/2 million.  This was the street we walked down right in front of our hotel.  Such industrious yet poverty stricken people.  They are always smiling and happy and display such innocence!
There we met with missionaries and enjoyed the best shopping yet!

After a wonderful week it was time to step back into the wardrobe.  C.S. Lewis said "Once you are a crowned queen in Narnia you can never not be a queen.  You just have to find your kingdom."  Madagascar is like Narnia and I can't imagine when I felt more like a queen.  This was such a magical week.  I had to decide which few pictures to display from the 500 I took.  It seemed like every corner provided a rich new adventure.  Hope you enjoyed this brief peek into this wonderful 3rd world country.