Madagascar

[Amadeuss]

Thank you for taking the time to reply. That's really helpful. Have you ventured extensively to many other countries on the continent? Would any surpass Madagascar for my needs do you think?

I did. To several African countries.

I may quote our primus inter pares here, Neddy: as newcomer go to Kenya, in particular Mombasa.

But if you are not so much in party, drinking and big booties. Plus speak some French: venture to Mada.

[Neddy69]

First post, so be nice. It's also a bit of an essay so apologies.

Over the last half week or so I've read (literally) the last 50 pages of the Mada forum and more than the odd page from one or two other countries too, so the RTFF box (for Mada at least) is ticked. I've got the general gist of what to expect.

I have a particular set of needs (don't pull up a chair it isn't that juicy) some of which are in common with the ethos of the board, some not. I've posted in Mada as I can see there is a fair bit of experience here, and importantly some with differing opinions and thoughts regularly posting here.

I am early 50's (look younger & in decent nick) and I want to go to somewhere in Africa flying from UK, probably for 3-4 weeks. Exactly when depends on the venue / climate and obviously see-19 lock down being lifted. I speak English, a little French (I can and will improve if need be) and less Spanish. I would consider bouncing to a few different venues, maybe 5/6/7 days in each place depending on logistics, cost of internal flights / transport time etc. This could include different countries in close proximity. So with that in mind, I'd value the advice as to what country / countries might fit my needs as a first timer to Africa bearing in mind the following wants / needs.

1. I am an experienced traveler but I am travelling alone so safety is paramount. Yes I know sh1t can happen everywhere. I won't be flashing the cash & acting like Billy Big Bo11ocks. I won't be sporting a vlogging camera on a 10 ft selfie stick or have a 1000 Canon hanging round my neck, but neither do I want to spend 3 weeks looking over my shoulder or worrying I might get stabbed for chatting up a local girl.

2. I want a good choice of bars and restaurants, within a safe walk and / or where taxis / transport are easy to get and plentiful. Getting safely back to the room is a major priority should I have the odd late night.

3. Fishing. Specifically I must have places with fishing close by. By fishing I do not mean charter boats and tourist excursions (I can find this out elsewhere). I mean places where I can literally rock out of my room at dawn / dusk and within a short walk be next to the water albeit by a beach, a lake, or a river. The quality of the fishing isn't massively important, it just needs to be accessible and as aesthetically pleasing a place as possible. The option of a longer walk or a taxi / bike ride to somewhere more remote is also a plus.

4. Last but not least, the reason we are here. The ideal scenario for me is somewhere I can blend in without too much fuss. Where I can easily make an acquaintance or two & have a bit of a crack. I'm not really one for 'Hi. How much?' as an opening line. It's not my thing. I like a rapport. That said after 5 days of sleeping alone, who knows?

Thanks in advance.

If you RTFF then you know it's Kenya. Number one Destination for Africa rookies. Bamburi or Mtwapa. Mombasa North Coast for fucking. World Class beaches. Fishing go to Watamu or Ukunda/Diani. Madagascar is for advanced Africa mongers.

Read all my posts in the Kenyan forums. No need to look further.

Neddy.
What du you mean by aesthetically pleasing. LOL

[Billy Zoo]

Failed to RTFF? So RTFF again.

Of the four specifics I asked advice about, which specifics do you think the previous 50 pages adequately covered that I missed?

[Billy Zoo]

Welcome to the Mada-thread. Not many newcomers do an intro as you did but only ask silly questions which are written here before. They get a bashing.

But let me answer your questions as someone going there since 2008.

You will be safe as experienced traveller. Just follow the rules for single travellers not to show up, be friendly but still watch your back. And you will be fine.

Improve your french language skills if you want to venture further than Glacier Disco. Even many of the girls not speak french well. But if there are any problems, someone will.

If you want to stay in places where many events are in walking distance you may note Tana center for the start, then Tamatave, NosyBe, IleStMarie, Tulear / Mangily and perhaps DiegoSuarez. Don't try to cover all. Distances are far. In 3 weeks, select 2 or 3 and also visit in between some of the parks along the road. And if you book taxi brousse or Cotisse bus well in advance, the style of travelling is not that bad but time consuming. Stay flexible with your planning.

Big Game Fishing operators you find in NosyBe and Toamasina. Select the right time of the year. Fly-fishing in the streams in the parks is possible, but you can't stay there overnight.

Good luck -- and if you discover something new, let us know.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. That's really helpful. Have you ventured extensively to many other countries on the continent? Would any surpass Madagascar for my needs do you think?

[Amadeuss]

First post, so be nice. It's also a bit of an essay so apologies.

Over the last half week or so I've read (literally) the last 50 pages of the Mada forum and more than the odd page from one or two other countries too, so the RTFF box (for Mada at least) is ticked. I've got the general gist of what to expect.

I have a particular set of needs (don't pull up a chair it isn't that juicy) some of which are in common with the ethos of the board, some not. I've posted in Mada as I can see there is a fair bit of experience here, and importantly some with differing opinions and thoughts regularly posting here.

.

Welcome to the Mada-thread. Not many newcomers do an intro as you did but only ask silly questions which are written here before. They get a bashing.

But let me answer your questions as someone going there since 2008.

You will be safe as experienced traveller. Just follow the rules for single travellers not to show up, be friendly but still watch your back. And you will be fine.

Improve your french language skills if you want to venture further than Glacier Disco. Even many of the girls not speak french well. But if there are any problems, someone will.

If you want to stay in places where many events are in walking distance you may note Tana center for the start, then Tamatave, NosyBe, IleStMarie, Tulear / Mangily and perhaps DiegoSuarez. Don't try to cover all. Distances are far. In 3 weeks, select 2 or 3 and also visit in between some of the parks along the road. And if you book taxi brousse or Cotisse bus well in advance, the style of travelling is not that bad but time consuming. Stay flexible with your planning.

Big Game Fishing operators you find in NosyBe and Toamasina. Select the right time of the year. Fly-fishing in the streams in the parks is possible, but you can't stay there overnight.

Good luck -- and if you discover something new, let us know.

[Member #4673]

so the RTFF box (for Mada at least) is ticked..

Failed to RTFF? So RTFF again.

[Billy Zoo]

First post, so be nice. It's also a bit of an essay so apologies.

Over the last half week or so I've read (literally) the last 50 pages of the Mada forum and more than the odd page from one or two other countries too, so the RTFF box (for Mada at least) is ticked. I've got the general gist of what to expect.

I have a particular set of needs (don't pull up a chair it isn't that juicy) some of which are in common with the ethos of the board, some not. I've posted in Mada as I can see there is a fair bit of experience here, and importantly some with differing opinions and thoughts regularly posting here.

I am early 50's (look younger & in decent nick) and I want to go to somewhere in Africa flying from UK, probably for 3-4 weeks. Exactly when depends on the venue / climate and obviously see-19 lock down being lifted. I speak English, a little French (I can and will improve if need be) and less Spanish. I would consider bouncing to a few different venues, maybe 5/6/7 days in each place depending on logistics, cost of internal flights / transport time etc. This could include different countries in close proximity. So with that in mind, I'd value the advice as to what country / countries might fit my needs as a first timer to Africa bearing in mind the following wants / needs.

1. I am an experienced traveler but I am travelling alone so safety is paramount. Yes I know sh1t can happen everywhere. I won't be flashing the cash & acting like Billy Big Bo11ocks. I won't be sporting a vlogging camera on a 10 ft selfie stick or have a 1000 Canon hanging round my neck, but neither do I want to spend 3 weeks looking over my shoulder or worrying I might get stabbed for chatting up a local girl.

2. I want a good choice of bars and restaurants, within a safe walk and / or where taxis / transport are easy to get and plentiful. Getting safely back to the room is a major priority should I have the odd late night.

3. Fishing. Specifically I must have places with fishing close by. By fishing I do not mean charter boats and tourist excursions (I can find this out elsewhere). I mean places where I can literally rock out of my room at dawn / dusk and within a short walk be next to the water albeit by a beach, a lake, or a river. The quality of the fishing isn't massively important, it just needs to be accessible and as aesthetically pleasing a place as possible. The option of a longer walk or a taxi / bike ride to somewhere more remote is also a plus.

4. Last but not least, the reason we are here. The ideal scenario for me is somewhere I can blend in without too much fuss. Where I can easily make an acquaintance or two & have a bit of a crack. I'm not really one for 'Hi. How much?' as an opening line. It's not my thing. I like a rapport. That said after 5 days of sleeping alone, who knows?

Thanks in advance.

[AttilaTheHun]

My take on Covid19 is. Its basically the seasonal flu albeit apparently more contagious. It needs the right conditions to rapidly spread. I. e. No wind, high humidity, temperatures around 10. For me the major annoyance is that I'm stuck in Covid prison as there is no flights. There's a boatload of tropical diseases that are more dangerous in Madagascar. Check the normal death rates. On a good day in Italy 1800 people die for example. I don't think it will spread a lot in African countries. It's simple too hot there. People in the slums will die of hunger because of the idiocy of governments imposing lock downs. Two of my German friends live in Morandave. Their biggest worry is civil unrest. Hungry people plunder their house and make off with the flat screen TV. Not Covid19.

Let's Hope the government won't make white foreigners the culprit and blame the epidemic on them like in Thailand. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/t...navirus-crisis.

[Steve Ohh]

All flights are suspended right now. Nobody knows when it starts for sure.

https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/int...1580226297.htm

Air Madagascar suspended flights to France until 11th of may, what others do I didn't find online.

https://lexpress.mg/18/04/2020/perte...r-le-tourisme/

If anybody knows when is starts again please post it, add a reliable source. Thanks.

[SouthEaster]

Hey Bert,

There are very few hotels in the entire country that don't allow girls. Most look at you strange when you return in the evening without one. As for advice? Everything you need to know is in previous reports. Start reading.

SE.

[FishermanBert]

Hey everyone,

New here on the Madagascar scene, I'm thinking of going there soon after flights are available, I plan on staying in Tamatave region, Is the calypso hotel girl friendly? I already got 2 targets locked until I get there, but now I'm looking for a good place to stay and still can have girls in my room. What do you guys advice?

[Neddy69]

Who here is in TOLIARA or MANGILY right now? Can you give us an idea how life is for you as a monger? Maybe some expatriates living there can explain better!

I finally got word from my mate in Tulear. He got stuck there intentionally. He pays in LE Recif 40 k AR a day. 8 or 9 chicas can be had for a lunch or 20 k AR. And the best part. He overstayed his visa already 2 months free of charge. In a nutshell. Paradise.

La Buse.

[Member #4673]

It's always better to see the glass half full and have hope.

That's exactly why Mada president is optimistic, I mean who will vote for pessimistic president that associate himself with bad news. Look at Trump Corona task force daily briefing he his over optimistic and yes the curve is flatting. Here in Thailand we reach 13 case per day and decreasing. Hot weather helps? Absolutely.

That's why I am counting that my trip to Toliara in late August will be as planed.

[Rebel Monger]

Some people believe in Santa Claus I guess.

How can you assume it works after testing it on 2 people? This is ridiculous.

Well, the placebo effect does work (scientifically proved), so maybe an infected person could have drank the herbal remedy before reading your post and get cured, after it's very unlikely.

It's always better to see the glass half full and have hope.

And if something works where the pharma industry is not involved that would be fantastic!

[Slowalk]

My take on Covid19 is. Its basically the seasonal flu albeit apparently more contagious. It needs the right conditions to rapidly spread. I. e. No wind, high humidity, temperatures around 10.
La Buse.

I thought that too. What you described is the characteristics of a flu virus cell. However, this virus is spreading in all indoor and outdoor environments, temperature, humidity and wind. Its being spread not just from coughing but by the breathing of humans and pets alike. It will likely come in heavy waves until most people either develop immunity or until a vaccination is feasible.