Madagascar 2001

Expedition organized by the Croatian Explorers Club

© Mario Belic 2001 – All Rights Reserved

Invisible force. Water in this case, has painted the dry landscape with different colours - from green to yellow to orange. Isalo NP

Minolta 600i, 24mm lens, tripod
Rock dog. During extended periods of time, natural forces such as wind and water produce unusual rock-formations. This stone covered by lichens looks like a dog’s head; below it you can recognize two human faces.

Minolta 600i, Tokina 400/5.6 lens, cable release, tripod

Giraffe beetle. A male giraffe beetle guards a leaf in Ranomafana NP. By cutting the leaf at specific points, the female creates a cocoon in which she then lays her eggs.

Minolta 600i, Tamron 90mm macro lens, tripod

Orchid. Eastern rainforests are a habitat for many species of orchids. This one is an epiphyte growing on a tree-trunk, which serves as a physical support. Ranomafana NP

Minolta 600i, Tamron 90mm macro, tripod

The guide. It would be hard to imagine our journey without experienced guides. Emile Rajeriarson (on the left), one of the best guides, helped scientists during the discovery of the golden bamboo lemur in 1986 in Ranomafana.

Minolta 600i, 24mm lens, tripod, flash, f/2.8 at 10-15 sec

Chief. In Antsirabe, we attended an unusual ritual called turning-bones, or Famadihana. Malagasy people have strong relationships with their ancestors, which are strengthened on such occasions. Here, family chief Mr. Rakotondraibe welcomes us.

Minolta 600i, 35-70mm lens, fill-in flash, handheld

Food. The main Malagasy food staple, rice, is handled by women at all stages of preparation. Nosy Be (above left)

Both images: Minolta 600i, 24mm lens, fill-in flash, handheld

Muscles. Strong muscles were needed to pull out such huge fish from the Indian Ocean. Nosy Be (above right)

Poverty. Most of the Malagasy people are very poor. This is most obvious on the streets of the capital, Tananarivo.

Minolta 600i, 200/2.8 apo lens, handheld

Sunset. Maraonsetra, on the mouth of the Antanambalana River in Antongile bay, is the starting point for Nosy Mangabe and Masoala Peninsula. This sunset was photographed from our base, Hotel du Centre.

Minolta 600i, 35-70mm lens, handheld

The team. Dinner on Masoala Peninsula, Zeljko Cernelic (left) was the leader of the Mad2001 expedition (http://www.hik.hr/). Other members included Goran Safarek (middle) and me (right).

Minolta 600i, 24mm lens, flash, tripod, f/2.8 at 10 sec