Back from Madagascar

Hi Guys,

I just want to let you know that I got back from my trip to Madagascar on late Sunday evening, but have been unable to reply to numerous PMs and questions for reasons which I will explain after this. My trip was very successful. We spent the first 2 days in Antananarivo to obtain our permits and to attend to logistics and then flew to the south east town of Fort Dauphin/Tolagnaro on 10 April. We collected plants to the north of that town in the rainforest for three days and 3 days to the arid south where we got to Faux Cap, almost the most southerly point in Madagascar. After that we flew to Tulear in the south west which is arid and dry. We visited baobabs and other interesting plants there for one day and then started driving back to Antananarivo via a good tarred road via the central highlands where we visited the spectacular granite mountains in the Andrigitra National Park, as well as the Mount Itremo vicinity and Mount Ibity near Antsirabe. We returned to Antananarivo on 25 April after which I attended an all Africa botany conference from 26-30 April in Antananarivo. Because of heavy flight bookings we could only fly back on Sunday 2 May. The country has many problems, political (as you might have heard over the news, Zoempies got then to sign a treaty), infrastructural (many previously tarred roads are in a totally potholled mess), but on the other hand the people are very friendly and helpful, in spite of having very very little. They are very hardworking growing rice (which is very hard work), beans, chickpeas, maize, bananas, citrus, pawpaws, apples, pears and peaches etc. They do not expect any handouts because there never have been any and they know the government does not hand out any in any case and have a positive attitude, which is refreshing if you come from SA. They know that you have to work hard if you want to survive and have a much better work ethic than exists here in SA.

Now the bad news. On the flight back to CT from Johannesburg last Sunday, I started with a fever. I thought it was an upper respiratory infection for which the doctor prescribed antibiotics, but I was repeatedly getting the fevers and headaches at night that did not improve even after the antibiotics. The doctors then drew blood and although they could not see any malaria parasites under the microscope, a more sensitive test (PCR) confirmed by Thursday that I had malaria in the very early stages. I was immediately put on the new Artimesinin drug treatment and 36 hours into the treatment I get the feeling that I am starting to feel marginally better. However, I do not feel very strong and the doctors have recommended rest as my liver has also taken some strain, the tests show.

So, please be patient with all the requests and enquiries, I will reply, but it may take a little longer. I will certainly not be able to send out any parcels before Thursday or Friday of the next week, I hope you can understand.

Kind regards,

Dirk

 

Welcome back!
Hope you'll have a speedy recovery.
Rudi.

 

Welcome Back Prof. Wish you a speedy recovery.

 

Welcome back prof nice to finally meet you, you are spoken very highly off in this form and I look forward to learning from... But first things first get well and take care of yourself first and foremost we can all wait a little longer...

Sounds like you had a great trip...

 

welcome back!

would say a warm welcome back but you already have a fever !

get well so there is no rush

regards

 

get well soon!

 

grab a lazyboy and watch your fish, hope you feel better soon

 

And Sir, you still lectured us this week! Now that's dedication.

I hope you have a speedy recovery.

 

Hey Dirk!!

Good to have you back with us!!! I've missed your pearls of Wisdom!!

Get well soon!!

G!

 

Get well soon Prof.

I look forward
to reading about
your adventure's
to Madagascar.

 

Sorry to hear of your ill health

Get well soon, and take it easy...
Dont worry too much about us here at TASA, we will patiently wait till your 100%

All the best!
Julie

 

Hey Prof...sounds like you had a good time till some small prick(mosquito probiscus) stuffed it up for you...ha ha..Glad your back...Get better real soon as end of the month i still would like the apisto's we spoke about....but that can wait till you well...(just on the off chance you never managed to sneak me a few of them madi orchid's ??? ha ha i know have two chances of that happening and both end up with the same reply....NO..)Anyhow welcome home Prof catch up with you soon....

 

Shame Prof, that's awful. Hope you get better, we'd like to see some pictures

 

Welcome back prof.
The trip sounded like a whole lot of fun.
I hope you get better soon
All the best
nic

 

Welcome back. Hope you feel better soon, malaria is no joke.
Take care of yourself.

 

Ditto:
"Welcome back. Hope you feel better soon, malaria is no joke."
Could not say it better...
Please e-mail me the price list again - groot asseblief!
Gert.

 

Welcome Back...
Hope you get well soon

 

Hi Prof
Close call, could have been much worst.
Speedy recovery

 

Hi Prof

Welcome back to a cold and wet Cape Town... This is not the best weather to be sick in. Hope you get well soon.

Take some time and rest well.

 

Hi Prof.
Welcome back! I hope you had a good time in Madagascar ^^,
Hope you get well soon! Being sick in this weather is not good