Morondava

Finally.   It feels so good to be on land.  The waves and wind were powerful again but in only 5 1/2 hours the shallow ocean sand brought us to a halt. The drivers even on day 7 amaze with their acrobatic swinging on ropes and balancing across uneven wooden poles while our sturdy, but seemingly toy-like pirogue, rocks in a choppy waters.  We almost made it without someone falling into the water until Andrew fell down almost head first into 5 inch deep water while the pirogue was being pushed ashore.  Our delirium made the situation especially hilarious, and we paid with saltwater-dripping bills.

We tromped through the street of sand to a hotel, bargained and got a discount, then headed for a lunch of fresh mango juice and beer, pizza and spaghetti bolognese, and ice cream! 

Morondava is a quaint seaside town, important enough to be identified on most maps, with palm trees fringing the wide open ocean.  The water is very shallow far out;  we can see clean, smooth sandbars further out at low tide.