10th July Antsohihy to Ambanja

This was only about 300km but we limped in late in the afternoon after gearbox trouble. The last 5km accompanied by an awful metal grinding sound. That gearbox is well and truly shot. A quick call to Madarental has a new vehicle leaving straight away with two drivers and they will be here by morning. Just a bit on Madarental, they offer a great service and all the cars come with a panic button that activates at the office, which is manned 24hrs. They also have global tracking of the vehicles and they can immobilise them from the office if they are stolen. Also they have a helicopter available to evacuate anyone that is hurt or injured. You pay less than for an avis or budget 4x4, but its dearer than using a local driver with his own car, but the service is the best.