During four months of travelling the island of Madagascar, Christina Dodwell rode in a horse-drawn stage coach, paddled a canoe on the south-east coastal river, laid plans to ride in the capital's Grand Prix horse race and witnessed traditional bone-turning rites. Travelling by ox cart and on foot, she enjoyed Madagascar's rich plant life and learned how this valuable genetic plant bank is at risk; and delving into pre-history led her in quest of one of the world's largest fossilized forests.