Madagascar

[TailPipe]

Took the Cotisse taxi brousse from Fianar to Tana yesterday. Light class 25 k, 10 h30. The TB wasn't sold out contrary to the back breaking TB I took yesterday from Ranomafana. Every time you think you have seen it all. 11 adults and a baby in the row behind the driver. 5 sitting on 4 seats, 2 in foetal position on the floor 3 standing like Quasimodo hunchbacks, 1 on someones lap and 1 baby. In moments like these you know you have to let go and be more Zen than the Buddha. Otherwise your going to drive yourself mad.

Went for the first time to club Manson yesterday. About 40 girls and to my surprise about 20 vaza but good atmosphere. A girl decided to strip herself half naked on the bar. Took a starfish home but actually I knew she wasn't kosher.

Usually you can sense there is something amiss with a girl but for whatever reason you ignored the signs. From now on if they is anything I don't like about a girl I move on to the next one, beautiful or not.

Does anyone know what the best gym is in Tana? I’m planning to go to Equinox in a couple of hours.

[Neddy69]

Wrong Analysis.

The guy was walking streets in a Slum of isotry antananarivo with a backpack containing laptop and camera. His other stuff he left in first class hotel in Tana.

1. why you visiting slums?

2. why you visiting slums with camera / laptop?

So the solution is not to be in this situation in the first place http://www.midi-madagasikara.mg/a-la...inois-tabasse/.

La buse.

Who's arriving next week to Toliara for two month in Mad.

You and me. We are no tourists. And I also don't walk 5 o'clock in the morning in Isoraka.

Have fun in rainy season.

La Buse.

[Triple Darknes]

20 hours to travel 100 miles. Violent armed robberies. Medieval plague, cholera, syphilis and much more. Call me a pampered westerner but I'm thinking more and more of just staying put in Nosy Be next summer!

My sentiments exactly.

Trip.

[Albert9989]

Don't play dumb tourist. And resist. Like these Chinese dragging around cameras and tablets... Make no mistake these people operate in gangs. They're armed with pistols, batons, knives and machetes...

These are very recent newspaper clippings...

La Buse

Hmmm, yes, but I can show same stories which happened here in Paris.

[Member #4673]

Don't play dumb tourist. And resist.
La Buse

Wrong Analysis.

The guy was walking streets in a Slum of isotry antananarivo with a backpack containing laptop and camera. His other stuff he left in first class hotel in Tana.

1. why you visiting slums?

2. why you visiting slums with camera / laptop?

So the solution is not to be in this situation in the first place http://www.midi-madagasikara.mg/a-la...inois-tabasse/.

La buse.

Who's arriving next week to Toliara for two month in Mad.

[Neddy69]

20 hours to travel 100 miles. Violent armed robberies. Medieval plague, cholera, syphilis and much more. Call me a pampered westerner but I'm thinking more and more of just staying put in Nosy Be next summer!

Don't play dumb tourist. And resist. Like these Chinese dragging around cameras and tablets... Make no mistake these people operate in gangs. They're armed with pistols, batons, knives and machetes...

These are very recent newspaper clippings...

La Buse

[Chris P]

20 hours to travel 100 miles. Violent armed robberies. Medieval plague, cholera, syphilis and much more. Call me a pampered westerner but I'm thinking more and more of just staying put in Nosy Be next summer!

[Neddy69]

Ah yes, traffic, for sure.

But. Pneumonic plague, this let you 24 to 72 hours before death. So depending where you are, you must urge to find the treament. Once you notice that you are infected.

That's also Mada's nice gifts.

Albert. The most sadly thing I heard today. Would you believe that 12 years old kids die in Madagascar of common measles. It just makes me sad.

La Buse.

Unimaginable in the 21st century. Fuck all these so called do gooders like the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. All they do throw billions at the pharmaceutical Industry. Makes me throw up!

[Albert9989]

No major outbreak this year. The last big one was 2017. Most affected were the central Highlands. Plague can easily be treated with the right antibiotics.

La Buse.

My risk assessment is. The biggest danger in Africa is the traffic.

https://www.who.int/csr/don/27-novem...madagascar/en/

Ah yes, traffic, for sure.

But. Pneumonic plague, this let you 24 to 72 hours before death. So depending where you are, you must urge to find the treament. Once you notice that you are infected.

That's also Mada's nice gifts.

[Neddy69]

And what about plague this year, two years ago, at same period they had a strong case with hundreds of people hit by plague, and many with pneumonic plague, nice disease, death coming two days after 1st contact.

But I didn't heard about this year.

No major outbreak this year. The last big one was 2017. Most affected were the central Highlands. Plague can easily be treated with the right antibiotics.

La Buse.

My risk assessment is. The biggest danger in Africa is the traffic.

https://www.who.int/csr/don/27-novem...madagascar/en/

[Albert9989]

Aaah. And not to forget leprosy. In fact Antsirabe was founded as Leper station by norwegian missionaries of the Lutheran church.

In fact I just donated some change to a begging leper on the roadside. His hands were only stumps.

La Buse.

And what about plague this year, two years ago, at same period they had a strong case with hundreds of people hit by plague, and many with pneumonic plague, nice disease, death coming two days after 1st contact.

But I didn't heard about this year.

[Neddy69]

Not to forget the biggest syphillis outbreak at Ft Dauphin.

Quote:

An outbreak of syphilis has prompted the government in Madagascar to declare a state of emergency in the southern town of Fort Dauphin. Ongoing tests suggest that about 17,000 people, or 30% of the region's sexually active population, may have the sexually transmitted disease. An economic boom linked to local mining projects has attracted prostitutes and international mine workers.

Unquote.

Ok, it was in 2007. But with the treatment they got, there are leftovers.

Aaah. And not to forget leprosy. In fact Antsirabe was founded as Leper station by norwegian missionaries of the Lutheran church.

In fact I just donated some change to a begging leper on the roadside. His hands were only stumps.

La Buse.

[Neddy69]

There are 3 available classes on the train to Makara. 1st class tourists and 1st & 2nd class Malagasy. Tickets are 70 k one way. Reservations can be made in the station of Fianar or Manakara. Non residents are obliged to sit in 1st class vaza. You get the best view if tou take a seat on the left side of the train. Trains leave Fianar at 7:00 in the morning tuesdays and saturdays and leave in the opposite direction from Manakara the next day at 7:00 wednesdays and sundays.

The distance is about 180 km. The train charges / discharges every 10 km at a station so no need to bring food along. You have enough time to buy food from the vendors. A big bottle of water will do. Comfortable ride but it can get hot. These trains originally rode a track in the Swiss mountains. In India every wagon is fitted with 20 ventilators, here none. When you go to the toilet you will see a small area designated for police and railway workers. Try to make friends with them so you can sit there. They have the slide doors open at both sides so the area gets naturally ventilated and you get an amazing view.

The train broke down a couple of times. After 20 hours journey we arrive in Manakara at 3:00 in the morning.

Pousse drivers are playing it hard here. It's 3:00 am and they know your exhausted and need a pousse. I originally got quoted 15 k to bring me to be beach (Hotel Delice Annex). I negotiated 2000. (Residents pay 1000-1500).

We are cycling to the beach and it's pitch black outside. I see a non moving vehicle at 150 meters, torches flashing and people talking. I'm a bit tense I thought we where cycling towards a police check point. A man flashes his torch into my direction. I believe he's a police man. When we get closer I realize he's a Frenchman who sat with us on the train. He has a hole in his forehead and he's bleeding profusely.

He and his wife got caught in an ambush minutes before I arrived there. They got attacked by 3 guys wielding battons. The pousse drivers left their pousses behind and did a runner leaving the couple at the mercy of their attackers.

The beach is about 1,5 km from the city center. To get there you have to cross a bridge. It's a deserted area nobody lives there. Just before the bridge there is a ramp forcing traffic to slow down. It's 3:30 in the morning. It's the ideal time and place for a robbery.

Normally you would show empathy towards the victims but I was worried about my own safety. This had happened minutes before I arrived. These guys where still around and I needed to get to my hotel. I felt vulnerable. A pousse isn't a taxi you can't close the doors.

I met the couple the next day. Both of them needed medical attention. He has no clothing left, nothing.

According to locals this does not happen often but it is the second time this year.

I was sleeping at Hotel Delice Annex 80 k. You get a view of the Pangalane canal but overpriced to my opinion and I don't want cross that bridge at night. You're also cut off from the main village.

The next day I moved to Hotel Delice in the actual city of Manakara. This is some of the best budget accommodation I have seen in Madagascar. Rooms from 25 k to 50 k. I took a room for 50 k but even the rooms of 25 k are value / money. I didn't have the feeling I lowered myself to Neanderthal level by sleeping here.

Hotel Delice also has an excellent budget restaurant. Ask for the 'plats du jour'. I had fresh fish with sauce and rice for 8 k and duck with rice for 9 k.

Another good budget restaurant is LE Poulet. I ate a 300 gram Zebu steak with fried potatoes for 8 k.

For breakfast I went to the Hotel Noor (awful rooms). 2 fried eggs for 1500 AR and tea with milk for 1000. You do have to buy your own bread at the cornershop, 400 AR for half a baguette.

Neddy asked if I'm a local. I'm as vaza as you can get and sometimes I make mistakes. It happened when I was enjoying my afternoon tea at the restaurant of Hotel Noor. A bit a crappy place but their tea is excellent and you have a view of the locals buying fresh fish. Then I saw her. A small 100 m runner wearing a miniature jeans about 10 cm long LOL. I couldn't stop smiling. She had noticed but she was with family. I lost sight of her and thought: that's it then. Suddenly she was sitting at my table. We chatted a little and I asked for her number. She proposes to go for a drink later that evening. Big mistake of mine. These so called 'amateurs' can be worse than the majority of the pros. But I thought she was an amateur wasn't she? So I foolishly didn't smell a rat.

She hit the jackpot and we where going to go out in grand style. Sisters joined the table and enjoyed the fruits of the horn of plenty. We are not talking about huge sums but I consider it to be disrespectful. She was getting pissed. On the way back home she starts manhandling the pousse driver. She starts fighting him. A police man has to drag her away from him. Add to all this the playing, manipulation, dishonesty, fake sex and more she was a disaster in the making. As I had asked her early in the night if she could do my washing I was stuck with her a second night. The next day she wanted me to go and eat at her parents place. I politely declined. I know it's safer not to 'wine and dine' them but it still should, one way or another, be possible to go for a drink with a girl.

Didn't do any other mongering around here. Did hear from an Englishman there where some SW's standing in front of hotel Sidi as NMexpert has mentioned in a previous report.

Many thanks.

Wow. Adventure. Sort of. 20 hours for 180 km. That's problematic to arrive 3 o clock in the morning. Very tricky. This French guy was just very unlucky. In Kenya also people wait for daybreak in the matatu. I carry all my cash and passport in sewn in hidden pockets inside my trousers. I'd just run away if I were in a similar situation leaving my luggage behind. nothing in there which can't be replaced...
A German I know was robbed in Tana by his taxidriver and a second guy... Was a recommendation of the hotel LOL... Inside job. Another guy I know was robbed at gunpoint when the taxi stuck in traffic. they took off with his luggage....

In Africa the bad guys melt away at dawn. I'd probably would have stayed put at the train station until dawn. Difficult decision.

La Buse.

I had a similar party girl in Morondave. Make no mistake some of these chicks are hard partiers. But you call the shots. They get one THB GM and that's it. Here in Antsirabe the chicas operate in pairs. You also pay a drink for the friend. But only one. And as a courtesy I when I took a girl of the two the other asks politely for the frais pousse home. 2000 AR. Don't feel bad. I am partial to chics in 10 cm Hot pants too. As long as it doesn't break the bank. Let others do the laundry though. .

[TailPipe]

There are 3 available classes on the train to Makara. 1st class tourists and 1st & 2nd class Malagasy. Tickets are 70 k one way. Reservations can be made in the station of Fianar or Manakara. Non residents are obliged to sit in 1st class vaza. You get the best view if tou take a seat on the left side of the train. Trains leave Fianar at 7:00 in the morning tuesdays and saturdays and leave in the opposite direction from Manakara the next day at 7:00 wednesdays and sundays.

The distance is about 180 km. The train charges / discharges every 10 km at a station so no need to bring food along. You have enough time to buy food from the vendors. A big bottle of water will do. Comfortable ride but it can get hot. These trains originally rode a track in the Swiss mountains. In India every wagon is fitted with 20 ventilators, here none. When you go to the toilet you will see a small area designated for police and railway workers. Try to make friends with them so you can sit there. They have the slide doors open at both sides so the area gets naturally ventilated and you get an amazing view.

The train broke down a couple of times. After 20 hours journey we arrive in Manakara at 3:00 in the morning.

Pousse drivers are playing it hard here. It's 3:00 am and they know your exhausted and need a pousse. I originally got quoted 15 k to bring me to be beach (Hotel Delice Annex). I negotiated 2000. (Residents pay 1000-1500).

We are cycling to the beach and it's pitch black outside. I see a non moving vehicle at 150 meters, torches flashing and people talking. I'm a bit tense I thought we where cycling towards a police check point. A man flashes his torch into my direction. I believe he's a police man. When we get closer I realize he's a Frenchman who sat with us on the train. He has a hole in his forehead and he's bleeding profusely.

He and his wife got caught in an ambush minutes before I arrived there. They got attacked by 3 guys wielding battons. The pousse drivers left their pousses behind and did a runner leaving the couple at the mercy of their attackers.

The beach is about 1,5 km from the city center. To get there you have to cross a bridge. It's a deserted area nobody lives there. Just before the bridge there is a ramp forcing traffic to slow down. It's 3:30 in the morning. It's the ideal time and place for a robbery.

Normally you would show empathy towards the victims but I was worried about my own safety. This had happened minutes before I arrived. These guys where still around and I needed to get to my hotel. I felt vulnerable. A pousse isn't a taxi you can't close the doors.

I met the couple the next day. Both of them needed medical attention. He has no clothing left, nothing.

According to locals this does not happen often but it is the second time this year.

I was sleeping at Hotel Delice Annex 80 k. You get a view of the Pangalane canal but overpriced to my opinion and I don't want cross that bridge at night. You're also cut off from the main village.

The next day I moved to Hotel Delice in the actual city of Manakara. This is some of the best budget accommodation I have seen in Madagascar. Rooms from 25 k to 50 k. I took a room for 50 k but even the rooms of 25 k are value / money. I didn't have the feeling I lowered myself to Neanderthal level by sleeping here.

Hotel Delice also has an excellent budget restaurant. Ask for the 'plats du jour'. I had fresh fish with sauce and rice for 8 k and duck with rice for 9 k.

Another good budget restaurant is LE Poulet. I ate a 300 gram Zebu steak with fried potatoes for 8 k.

For breakfast I went to the Hotel Noor (awful rooms). 2 fried eggs for 1500 AR and tea with milk for 1000. You do have to buy your own bread at the cornershop, 400 AR for half a baguette.

Neddy asked if I'm a local. I'm as vaza as you can get and sometimes I make mistakes. It happened when I was enjoying my afternoon tea at the restaurant of Hotel Noor. A bit a crappy place but their tea is excellent and you have a view of the locals buying fresh fish. Then I saw her. A small 100 m runner wearing a miniature jeans about 10 cm long LOL. I couldn't stop smiling. She had noticed but she was with family. I lost sight of her and thought: that's it then. Suddenly she was sitting at my table. We chatted a little and I asked for her number. She proposes to go for a drink later that evening. Big mistake of mine. These so called 'amateurs' can be worse than the majority of the pros. But I thought she was an amateur wasn't she? So I foolishly didn't smell a rat.

She hit the jackpot and we where going to go out in grand style. Sisters joined the table and enjoyed the fruits of the horn of plenty. We are not talking about huge sums but I consider it to be disrespectful. She was getting pissed. On the way back home she starts manhandling the pousse driver. She starts fighting him. A police man has to drag her away from him. Add to all this the playing, manipulation, dishonesty, fake sex and more she was a disaster in the making. As I had asked her early in the night if she could do my washing I was stuck with her a second night. The next day she wanted me to go and eat at her parents place. I politely declined. I know it's safer not to 'wine and dine' them but it still should, one way or another, be possible to go for a drink with a girl.

Didn't do any other mongering around here. Did hear from an Englishman there where some SW's standing in front of hotel Sidi as NMexpert has mentioned in a previous report.

Many thanks.

[Amadeuss]

But Mada you face the whole range of tropical disease:
Typhoid
Cholera
Plague
Malaria
Scabies
Food poisoning
Viral Eye infections
Chancroid
Hook worm
As this island has only endemic species... go figure... Endemic bacteria abound... As the french army finally invaded Madagascar in 1895 they had 6000 casualties through disease and 25! combat casualties... Go figure...

Not to forget the biggest syphillis outbreak at Ft Dauphin.

Quote:

An outbreak of syphilis has prompted the government in Madagascar to declare a state of emergency in the southern town of Fort Dauphin. Ongoing tests suggest that about 17,000 people, or 30% of the region's sexually active population, may have the sexually transmitted disease. An economic boom linked to local mining projects has attracted prostitutes and international mine workers.

Unquote.

Ok, it was in 2007. But with the treatment they got, there are leftovers.