Morondava Things to Do

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Grand Tsingy area is about 600 square kilometer.The rock formation are so bizarre,is like labyrinth of spike tower, some height may be 300 meter,but for tourist area we allow to walk only some part of it,some area is very hard to access.That's why it has this name "Tsingy" which means "where one can not walk" Many part of it are still remain unexplored.
These rocks formed by tropical rain that erode the limestone into sharp pinnacles like this.Some pieces of rock are so amazing for me ,look like it hang out of nothing .It such a big piece of heavy rock but it can be like floating in the air.It make me think about floating rock in the movie "Avatar"
My guide show us a rock shape that they call it "chinese hat" .Some pic shows how amaze that one big rock can stand and balance itself on such very small base.

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In the first pic is the exit at the other side of the cave where people waiting for their turn to climb up Grand Tsingy.It has to be one by one only ,we have to keep distance between each other.At this point everybody start to use the hooks on to the wire rope.Guide told us to take our time ,go slow but safe.One rule is ..we have to use the hooks all the time.We have 2 hooks ,and move them futher one by one.

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This tip is for Klastophobia who has fear of narrow place.I'll show you some pics of a very narrow cavernous everybody have to walk through before arriving starting point of climbing Grand Tsingy.When we walked inside the cavernous it will be completely dark (scary right? : ) but it will be only less than 1 minute walk.To be better for the klaustophobia one ,you better walk without any people behind you,cuz in case you feel panic and you want to walk back ,it'll be more convenience.If any people behind ,just ask them to wait few minutes,if you don't walk back ,means you are at the other side already.Don't be afraid much...it's just few metre in the dark area ,if you walk non stop and fast enough it can be only half minute.Don't forget to bring head light and flash lamp ,it helps a lot.
And for the fat people..ummm...the cave is really narrow for fat and too big people.I can't say how fat you can be...just try to estimate from my picture then.In the pic you'll see size of an ordinary european man.When he walked through it ,his back and chest just fit the rock wall.You have to walk like that to pass it,or walk a little lower ,it's little wider in lower part.

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Everybody have to walk with guide,not allow to walk on our own.My guide still be Roddy.We walked through flat land under the heat of the sun for about 10 minutes ,then start to walk up through the forest.We started to look for lemur,and we are so lucky that we found a group of Decken sifaka at the very beginning of the walk,and that's the first time my life to see lemur!!.I'll write about them again in fauna tip.
Every body have to wear safety belt with hooks for your own safety,cuz we have to walk up and down between sharp rocks.In some places it's danderous to walk without holding anything, so they put some strong rope for us to hold while walking unbalance on the tip of some big or sharp rocks.Some rocks may not be high enough for you to be afraid but if you slip and fall ,then you can be injured or have broken arm or leg.They prepare some ropes and step quite well,I think it's safety enough for almost everybody to do this walk,including some brave children(age should be more than 12 years old)

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Here are some pictures of animal I saw in Petit Tsingy area.
1. Chameleon,we saw it since the beginning of the walk.It's quite big one.Luckily we met it at eye level so we can see it so close,he's moving upward on a branch.I think he made himself a little bigger when seeing us,probably to scare us or something.
2.A (probably) female zonosaurus.
3.A male zonosaurus.From what I know,many species of male one has almost same width of head and neck.
4.Pill Millipede.They are no poisonous,eating decaying leaves and plants.They can roll themselves into a tight ball to protect themselves from predators.This one came to greet us while we were having our lunch break in a small cave area in Petit Tsingy.

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Here are some more pictures about Grand Tsingy. The first and second pictures are atmosphere at the parking area before start walking.We'll see small stalls selling fruits or some vegetebles.It can be anything of the day,depends on what local can find to sell that day.I bought some lime fruit from a lady cuz I need to help them having some income and also I need some vitamin - C after long time no fruits and vegetables consuming.Their lime are quite big,the taste is very sour and a little bitter.Other stall offer some local food which most drivers immediately got together to have their brunch.The second pic show people preparing to wear safety belts with snap hooks.But my guide, Roddy said we can do it later ,cuz we have to walk a bit before arriving the climbing point.He will carry the equipment for me in the meantime.
I saw guides brought tourists to different route,it depends of what kind of route you choose to walk ,..short walk ..long walk...half day ..whole day..or 2 days walk...You have to negotiate with them first.Don't forget to ask them if you are Klausto phobia (fear of narrow and dark place or cave,cuz there's one very narrow and completely dark cave) or if you have hight fear.Ask them if the route you are choosing is ok for you or not.But I think they'll say ok for all,cuz they want everybody to try.Now it's up to yourself that "Can you do it?"
I'll try to give you some of the pictures that may help someone who are hesitating to do it or not .If you see some picture ,it may help you a little bit to make the decision.

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Before writing about Grand Tsingy,let me tell you about Petit Tsingy a bit.It's not hard at all walking on Petit Tsingy.It's just very short walk.Is it worth doing it? Yes, if you have nothing to do on the other half of the day.And if some are klaustophobia or has hight fear ,you may not be able to do the Grand Tsingy,so it's better to try Petit Tsingy then.We can see amazing rock formation from Petit Tsingy as well.

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On the way to Grand Tsingy,I saw a very small local school.So I stopped to greet them for a while.There were about 25 students age around 4-7 years old.When we arrived ,students just looking at us quietly ,nobody seems to be naughty or scream with cheerful like any other students I saw somewhere in other parts of the world ,probably because their teacher told them not to do,and they obeyed.So we just tried to be very quiet as well and just ask permission to take some pictuers and we donated some money to teacher to help these children for something they might need,may be some snacks,candy or some water.Those are the things most kids asked for.