Related Madagascar Favorites Tips

Favorite thing: 30 Days Tourist Visa can be obtained on arrival at Antananarivo Airport (TNR) The Visa Fee is waived until 31st December 2011 (Normally its Ar 160,000 Can be paid in Euro (50.00) or Equivalent in US Dollar

A simple small form (arrival card) needed to be filed which is provided by the airline during flight, no photo is required, just passport details and the name/address of the hotel you intend to stay. The Visa Desk is right in front up on entering the arrival hall after disembarking the airplane.

The Passport Must have 6 Months Validity

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Favorite thing: Madagascar Currency is Ariary
1 US Dollar = 2008.00 By BNI (The Highest and 1995 by MCB MAdagascar

Money Changers Offer Ar 2000 for a Dollar

Now it is possible to buy back US Dollar or Euro either from Bank or Exchange Company. Retain all the selling receipts just in case you may need to show it when buying the foreign currency back on your return.

The Bank Notes comes in 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 denominations and printed in different colors and sizes

Fondest memory: Be careful, The 200 and 2,000 Ariary Bank Notes are almost same (Light Green) Color, the size is different

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Favorite thing:
When my guide told me at we were going to a place called ‘Lemur Island’ after a whole day trying to view different species of Lemurs several miles off at the top of trees - I was not excited. It wasn’t until we arrived that I realised I would not only see the Lemurs close up – I would get to feed them! Yes, we had bananas and these little guys went nuts. They climbed on posts, trees and anything they could – especially me! This was a chance to not only see these little guys, but also to really interact with them. WOW!

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Favorite thing: The beaches are stunning. The water is mild, an unbelievabe color. The best way to get around is to walk, visit the markets, and meet the people.

Fondest memory: The acceptance of the Malagasy people to "outsiders" is nothing short of remarkable, to say the least. I cant recall to many other places I have been and been treated with such hospitality and felt so welcomed.

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Favorite thing: Not a favourite but... Year 2009 started out with a political crisis in already economical-crisis-stricken Madagascar. 2008 ended with a series of demonstrations led by capital city mayor, Andry Rajoelina. The latter and his clique dubbed themselves "Orange revolutioneers". Everywhere in Tana streets: orange flags, orange tee-shirts, orange scarves. Later on, the revolution turned into a putsch that led to the departure of Pdt Marc Ravalomanana out of the country (March 17). In between, the "Orange" revolution has led into lootings, arsons of commerce, malls in Tana and other major cities (26 Jan. 2009, our "Black Monday"). Feb. 7, shots while the "Orange folks" marched to assault the President office. Still Orange, huh ? The then mayor had become Head of a Banana republic state (as hed of putschists, rather). Trying to have the international recognition. In vain... Madagascar is in crisis, regarding several aspects of it: economical (what's new? it's it everywhere in the world), political, social, spiritual. I see the end of it... but have to wait.

Sooo... what a crustacean to do with all this ?
Foza orana is a crustacean that was (criminally?) lately introduced into Madagscar. It kills fishes, eats rice springs and made itself its bad press. Plus, it's so wide and quickly spread that makes it even more dislikable. It's halfway between a foza (our tiny mud crabs) and a orana (crayfish).

Foza orana, as an adjective is to qualify an item that is easily to be found everywhere. Like those phones sold by telecom companies which are dead cheap and that are so widespread everyone has to check his/ her own phone screen each time a ring is heard in a bus.

Foza orana, as an adjective is to qualify an easy girl. One can have her so easily (cheaply?). Also, it has become the nickname of "Orange movement" folks. Not only because of the colour (pic. 2), also because of the Orange demonstrators being mostly made up with pickpockets, looters which were paid to swell the bulk of demonstrators and their militia.

"Biby nitour-ne", i.e "an species that has turned into something else", is also to describe this crustacean which is half crab half crayfish.

Nope, it's not good to be a foza orana, as a crustacean... nor a human.

To me, eating foza orana is to contribute in erasing the crisis in rural areas, as it eats rice springs, fishes and well, many here think that getting rid of urban foza orana is to end the crisis... lol

Favorite thing: Lemurs are primates (related to apes and humans) endemic to the island of Madagascar. The smaller lemurs are nocturnal, and the larger ones are diurnal. There are many kinds of lemurs. Each type of lemur looks very different. They vary color from reddish brown to gray, and come in different sizes. Most lemurs spend most of their time in trees and bushes. Only the Ringtail lemur spends most of its time on the ground.

Unfortunately, lemurs are threatened largely because their habitats are being destroyed. People in Madagascar cut down the forests to use the wood, and to grow agricultural crops in its place.

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Favorite thing: Madagascar is known for its Baobabs. Here you will find six of eight species found worldwide. The Baobab is a tree with a massively swollen trunk and sparse stubby branches. The tree can live for many thousands of years and is capable of taking up and storing water in its trunk.
They are found in the West and South of the island. You can eat the seeds and they are used for cooking oil.

Favorite thing: Isolated for 65 million years, Madagascar is the oldest island on earth. As a result its fauna and flora is unique.

Eight whole plant families exist only on Madagascar, as do close to 1,000 orchid species, countless insects, at least 350 species of frogs, around 370 kinds of reptile, five families of bird and approaching 200 different mammals, of which the lemur is the most popular one.