Overnight

We took a brave step this weekend. We ventured off the ship overnight! With 3 children 4 and under, we haven't thought much about going anywhere for the night but since this was a 4 day weekend we decided it would be the time to try it out and still be back for Easter Sunday. There are some really amazing places to visit not far from the ship and most places are very affordable.

The girls were so excited to stay in a "new cabin" at the hotel.  We went to a place called Manda Beach Hotel in Foulpointe, about 1 1/2 hours from the ship. It is a hotel that is mostly frequented by the local Malagasy middle class. We were struck while there that we notice much more of a middle class in this country than we have in other places we've been. We hope it is a picture of continued growth for this country.

We chose this hotel because it has a pool and is walking distance from an amazing beach with very shallow water and no current due to a coral reef about a mile out from the beach. 

The girls loved that they got to sleep under a "tent". Thankfully there were not many mosquitos!

Pool fun!

Adalynn learned how to swim while we were there!

Finding shells.

Adalynn got her hair braided. The women loved her hair.

Cora playing while Adalynn got her hair done.

Meeting the local kids.

We took a boat ride to a coral reef just a little distance from the beach.

 

Trying to take a selfie with an old fashion camera, over water, with lots of waves. Not the best :)

 

 

Poor Jack had to wear the pink life jacket :)

Holding a sea urchin our driver found.

This clear water was probably 1/2 mile out from the beach. It was still only knee deep. Our boat driver crushed a sea urchin so the fish would come. The girls could see them from the side of the boat. So cool!

John and I got to get in a snorkel for a bit. It was really spectacular!

Jack loved that he could sit in the ocean and play. Such a great beach for kids since it was so shallow for such a long distance out.

The highlight  of the trip fort the girls was a rickety old carousel. It cost 1000 areary a ride (less than $0.50) The girls probably rode it 6 times while we were there.

It was powered by these guys running in circles pushing them. So fun. They could actually get it going pretty fast. I was glad for soft sand underneath just in case it broke.

 

 

Headed back to the hotel after a long day at the beach.

 

Coloring on our porch.

 

 

We had a fabulous 2 days but we were glad to be back in our own beds last night. The kids did great but they were worn out at the end. This country has some amazing places to visit and we are so thankful for the chance to explore one of them.  Looking forward to more adventures in the future.