We are staying in the the same Hotel as the girls but we chose the Ocean side option and they chose the one in the city. They did not know what time the would arrive with the train and so for them, this was a better option. They arrived after 15 hours, counting the wait in Fianar. So at 10:00 PM they went straight to their Hotel in the heart of the town.
We arrived around 3::00PM yesterday and preferred going to the Hotel operated by the same owners but ocean side, which was 25 minutes away . The first thing we did was walk on the beach and went for a swim. Finally after more than three weeks on the "Red Island" we get to see the Ocean. Madagascar is called the red island because of the reddish, earth colour.

We chose a little cabin for our first night but then changed for a larger one for the remaining 2 nights. This one has screens in the windows, and so we can leave them open at night and it is a little brighter. They are rustic but we have the sound of the ocean waves to rock us to sleep, star light skies, and a little restaurant terrace overlooking the ocean for our seafood meals.

The girls showed up today around 2:00PM, we talked about their day on the train, we had some cake to welcome them back and went for a nice long swim in front of the restaurant, an area which is protected by a reef that makes a natural pool, safe from the huge, strong waves and sharks. They have decided to stay in town for the next two nights but will come back with the driver tonight to have supper with us. Langoustine is on the menu and we know it will be fresh.