Madagascar

[Daniel]

whereever you go in this land - there are delightful possibilities.
So far, I've visited Tana - huge sprawling city which really, to be honest, didn't impress me much. However, I would say that the Shanghai Hotel is by far a good bet when you visit the capital. It's on the same street as the US embassy. Fantastic compared to anything else that we visited.
Andasibe is a marvellous place to go - basic lodging unless you can get into Vakona forest lodge - a 4 star hotel (I guess) in the middle of the jungle. I wish that they'd had a place for me and family when we got there!!! Andasibe is a good 4 hours from Tana, towards the East coast. Expect your hotel bed to be damp due to the jungle humidity! There are an abundance of lemurs, chameleons and other wildlife ... you must get a guide.
At the coast, try to get to Foulepoint - about 1 hour north of Tamatave (Toamasina). It's shark free and there are some great basic activities like taking a pirogue (dugout canoe) to the coral reefs. If you find Huibert - give him my regards - he is a great pirogue boatman!!!
Otherwise, if you go west of Tana to the central plateau highlands - WOW! you will come across such a polite people. They will take you into their homes, give a meal, try to communicate. The place that we went to was Lac (Lake) Itasy. Wonderfully wild and very basic. There are 2 good hotels that I know of ... The Lac Itasy Hotel (totally new, small and family run ... very nice) and another in the village of Ampefy - I cannot remember its name. It's bigger and some nice rooms. They are about 2 miles apart from each other. You'll come to the hotel in Ampefy first, then you can move on to Lac Itasy if you wish. there are no lemurs or rainforests here (and not much mosquito), but other wildlife abounds.

One golden rule for visitors to Madagascar - for heaven's sake ... barter at the markets. If you don't, the prices shoot up and the locals are prevented from affording things themselves.

[Kurt Bleys]

Daniel,

We go in mach for our second time in two years to MADAGASCAR ;-)
Do you have pictures from your tripp?
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Kindest regards,
Kurt Bleys
www.chameleontour.net