Dear Klaus, dear Nicole You have made a journey possible for us that was like leafing through a big picture book, opening up new landscapes again and again and providing breathtaking insights. Thank you both very much! We appreciate very much how well you were able to read out from our mail exchange what was important to us and then translated that into the planning of a great three-week trip. The suggested rhythm of staying and driving was really well done. Initially, I was rather skeptical to follow the RN 7 with a rental car and a driver, because we, as Sahara experienced self-drivers, like rough terrain a lot and actually prefer to move autonomously. But it was good. Very good, in fact. As tragic as it is for the country's population that the central transport axes are not better maintained, we enjoyed the not-too-fast progress. Leonid is a prudent and very attentive driver who was able to respond well to our requests. Since we were the first ones he was touring with all by himself, information sometimes came very spontaneously. Or not. But Leonid certainly has the potential to be an excellent guide. His friendly and unobtrusive manner will surely be enjoyed by other Vazahas. Our highlights? Difficult to say. There were so many. Maybe the trek up Bic Boby in Andringitra Park with the nights in the tent and Gege's excellent cooking, the 250 pirogues with their fishermen right next to the Hotel Belle Vue in Ifaty, the river trip on the Canal des Pangalanes during a terrific cloudburst. Most likely we will come again. We are impressed and have become very fond of the country and people. Frauke and Erich... Collapse