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The sandy track is a hazard to any vehicles other than ox carts, and we get stuck in the dunes, having to get out and push. On one side of the path is the sea, the other the famous ‘spiny forest’. Small ponds give off an unpleasant aroma of stagnant water. Goats present another risk, they have no road-sense whatsoever and wander aimlessly as they please, often straight out in front of the bus.Allow plenty of time for this journey.
Road conditions vary considerably, from smooth, tarmac’ed highways, to rutted tracks more akin to dried-up river beds. These turn into a muddy quagmire when wet, and can become impassable in places. We are very lucky when leaving Ranomafana – usually they have to allocate several hours extra travelling time to allow for being towed out of sludge holes by a lorry. When we are there, it has been dry for several days and the conditions are favourable.
Walking down the street in Tana we were approached by an old and scruffy beggar holding out his hat for David to drop a few coins in. Having come across this scam before, we were ready for him when he covered David's bum bag with the hat and tried to undo the zipper with the other hand. Needless to say, he didn't get anything - other than a hard shove and some harsh words in French.
Most people of Madagscar do not speak English! I had some problems to remember the little French I had learned 25 years ago at school. But French is the language you get around with. And when people discover, that you speak a few words French, they just happily talk to you.You need to know at least the number from 1 to 100 in French, so that you can bargain.
A chapter in one of my pages about taking pictures in Mada.+++ Zébus, Lemurs, Ravinala Yes, Zébus, Lemurs, Ravinala and not that much pictures of humans neither homes. In my previous hp, I said that pictures of humans are not that usual here since Malagasy are not used to that. Jennifer (craic) asked me why and here was the copy-paste of my answer: Original Message from Norali Received 2003-06-22 03:55:10.0" Hello,> > How are you? You are entering winter, no? A response to your question on my pages. You want to know why Malagasy people are not used to display personal pictures?> > A traditional behaviour of reserve (not coldness but what is said to be "pudeur" in French. My Harraps dico says "modesty"). Though, oddly enough, when dropping a visit to Malagasy friends for the first time, they (we) use to show photo albums. If your hostess doesn't show, visitor would ask anyway....
You will see, policemen in Madagascar use to check cars (they would "verify" if the driver has all its papers, meets all administrative, technical requirements to drive properly...).Vazaha (white men) and wealthy locals seem to be interesting cases for them :-). They would always nit-pick in order to justify a fine (even for a missing side mirror and for that you explain you already ordered a replacement and that replacement is coming very soon) . The "strangest" thing is that they would ask you to pay cash otherwise they would keep your driving license. Solution that works well: Rather than discuss about the fine (well, rather mean "price"), ask for a written cash receipt (before paying, please, otherwise it won't work *LOL*) and their requirement would just vanish in thin air...They know that if a fine is justified (or say, applicable), you could pay cash or at a police office. By...
Clouds of locusts were swarming over Madagascar, destroying crops.....At times, I found myself in the middle of a cloud. Locusts are really everywhere at such a moment, so if you are scared of insects, you might want to travel around the swarms, in so far as possible.
Madagascar is one of the worlds top conservation priorities. Since the arrival of the first people (2500 yrs ago) more than 75% of the original forests (of all kinds) have been destroyed. Forests that are/were the home of a unique flora and fauna. All M's mammalspecies, 225 of its 257 (known) species of reptiles and almost 80% of the plants are to be found nowhere else in the world! Check out T e Rainforest site and let's do something now!
Make sure you have proof of vaccination against Cholera. If not, the health officials will make you take antibiotic and you don't want that.In Holland you can go to the Travel Health Centre (GGD) and they will give you a very official stamp in you booklet. Just do it!
Watch out for Zebu carts....I found this flat chameleon on the 'mainstreet' in Morondava. Fascinating how it still has all its characteristics. I thought it would be a great souvenir, so I picked it up.Some local 'working girls' were completely puzzeled. 'Il est mort, le Chameleon' (he is dead) they said. Well, yes, that was obvious... It is now hanging on the wall at home displayed on the original red earth of Madagascar. Strange people these Vazaha
Hotel Tamboho Antananarivo
32 Opinions
La Varangue Antananarivo
1 Review and 29 Opinions I spent three nights in this very pleasant hotel in Tana. The location is excellent,. right around...
Hotel Royal Palissandre Antananarivo
1 Review and 47 Opinions Le Royal Pallisandre is a very good quality hotel in the heart of the city. The rooms and public...
Reviews and photos of Madagascar attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Madagascar sightseeing.
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Q: Has anyone used Desire Travel Tours and had problems just before arriving? I'm 12 days from departure to Madagascar from Kenya...
A: I think you may be jumping to bad conclusions too quickly. I have been a tour director for several decades, and have a pretty good handle on most operators. It is...
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