Madagascar

[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.

[Triple Darknes]

June and July are cooler and might be a bit rainy in the capital Antanarivo. Concerning the Island of Nosy Be. Warmer than Tana but I personally Think NOSY is best by September-November and that also applies for the capital. Just my five cents! Concerning the Beauty of the African women it varies very much from the Islands of Cape Vert to Angola or Mozambique. But you are absolutely right about the beauty of the Eritreans and Ethiopians. But when it comes to the attitude it may leave a bit to be desired. And as a choice Madagascar is fine. Mostly in terms of natural Beauty both of the scenic views and the natural born Beauty of its ladies. And most important. Treat them with respect! Greetings from Lisbon.

Thanks for the response.

[Neddy69]

Love the body on that girl, mummmmm delicious, loves the chocolate.

The Tall Man.

Hey Tall Man! When you take the plunge? Tear yourself away from the Colombian Chicas negras and get yourself a ticket to the Dark Continent. I enticed a Canadian guy from ISG to take the plunge with my posts. He absolutely loved it. We had a blast in Mtwapa.

And also Madagascar. Such bodies are consumables here. Nothing special really. LOL.

La Buse.
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...

[Pokeris]

Seems cottise will open their agency at ambilobe from December 15. Will be interesting to know which routes they will offering.

[The Tall Man]

Took a kofifi taxi brousse from Tulear / Toliara to Fianar. Not grand luxe but good enough. Designated seats in a Mercedes Sprinter van. Took 2 seats on the row behind the driver for 30 k each place. Maybe the real price is 25 k. I had to phone different numbers, one said 25 k the other 30 k. We left around 7:30 and areived around 17:00 in Fianar.

I stayed at hotel Soratel conveniently located at 500 meter from the TB station and 250 meter from the train station. 64 k / night light breakfast included. Baths with hot water and good water pressure. The hotel is nothing special but it did the job for me.

The city has a good running semi-public bus service with numbers indicating where they go to, 400 AR anywhere you go to within the city.

Love the body on that girl, mummmmm delicious, loves the chocolate.

The Tall Man.

[Neddy69]

Bit hard to find the Gare Routiere du Sud for TB so its here https://goo.gl/maps/R2NWi4fjcQ8dqg3g9. They will happy to give you a good seat.

Took a kofifi taxi brousse from Tulear / Toliara to Fianar. Not grand luxe but good enough. Designated seats in a Mercedes Sprinter van. Took 2 seats on the row behind the driver for 30 k each place. Maybe the real price is 25 k. I had to phone different numbers, one said 25 k the other 30 k. We left around 7:30 and areived around 17:00 in Fianar.

I stayed at hotel Soratel conveniently located at 500 meter from the TB station and 250 meter from the train station. 64 k / night light breakfast included. Baths with hot water and good water pressure. The hotel is nothing special but it did the job for me.

The city has a good running semi-public bus service with numbers indicating where they go to, 400 AR anywhere you go to within the city.

I didn't know where to start so I asked a taxi driver to bring me to 'where the girls are walking outside'. He brought me to a crossing at about 750 meters from hotel Soratel. 10 SW's huddled together. You can't see very much but don't be intimidated. I walked to it and back in the dark 3 times never had a problem.

The girls are standing in front of Club Jax. Club Jax is a real club but is also a brothel. In the back they have have rooms. They are opened every day of the week except on mondays. Then SW's are an ecclectic mix. Some are ugly, some are fat, some are old but I also saw an absolute 9. She was gorgeous slim, young, long legged and dancing as if she was performing in a Michael Jackson video.

The club is probably not going to be to everyones liking. The atmosphere is a bit icy but I believe it is safe. It got talking to a guy who looked like a real hoodlum 115 kilos, sporting a huge afro. Actually he was the owner and a nice guy. His name is Nurah he's half Malgache and half French / Indian. Speaks perfect French, went to expat schools and studied in LE Reunion. Explained to me he and his coworkers are constantly scanning the place keeping the rif raf out. I was getting p*ssed with Nurah and I couldn't be bothered with the SW's anymore so I decided to walk home. I get lost. Where is my hotel? Suddenly I see a couple walking in my direction. She walks away from him and latches herself on to me. No French at all but she is doable. 40 k I say, ok. Good fuck, good service levels, no problem in the morning.

Next to club Jax there is a ST hotel with a bar restaurant and a couple of sex workers inside. Entry is through the bar. The SW I saw where second tier.

Sophia dance club: Went on a Monday. It was empty. According to the waitress it only gets busy thursdays to sundays. Als a couple of SW's outisde. Didn't see anything that caught my eye.

I think the city is generally safe. Watch out at night for the man holes you see here on every other corner.

Bloody excellent reporting. You're sure you're not a local?

La Buse.

Who's still hanging out in Antsirabe with an viral eye infection. But I scored yesterday a nice spinner of all places from Tulear " en vacance" sure.... LOL. From Tahiti. 40 k. No complaints. As I am partial to chicas in hot pants. In fact there were 2 good looking ones and about 5 uglies.

La Buse.

Eclectic mix. LOL. Same as here. Very nice way to put it...

[TailPipe]

Took a kofifi taxi brousse from Tulear / Toliara to Fianar. Not grand luxe but good enough. Designated seats in a Mercedes Sprinter van. Took 2 seats on the row behind the driver for 30 k each place. Maybe the real price is 25 k. I had to phone different numbers, one said 25 k the other 30 k. We left around 7:30 and areived around 17:00 in Fianar.

I stayed at hotel Soratel conveniently located at 500 meter from the TB station and 250 meter from the train station. 64 k / night light breakfast included. Baths with hot water and good water pressure. The hotel is nothing special but it did the job for me.

The city has a good running semi-public bus service with numbers indicating where they go to, 400 AR anywhere you go to within the city.

I didn't know where to start so I asked a taxi driver to bring me to 'where the girls are walking outside'. He brought me to a crossing at about 750 meters from hotel Soratel. 10 SW's huddled together. You can't see very much but don't be intimidated. I walked to it and back in the dark 3 times never had a problem.

The girls are standing in front of Club Jax. Club Jax is a real club but is also a brothel. In the back they have have rooms. They are opened every day of the week except on mondays. Then SW's are an ecclectic mix. Some are ugly, some are fat, some are old but I also saw an absolute 9. She was gorgeous slim, young, long legged and dancing as if she was performing in a Michael Jackson video.

The club is probably not going to be to everyones liking. The atmosphere is a bit icy but I believe it is safe. It got talking to a guy who looked like a real hoodlum 115 kilos, sporting a huge afro. Actually he was the owner and a nice guy. His name is Nurah he's half Malgache and half French / Indian. Speaks perfect French, went to expat schools and studied in LE Reunion. Explained to me he and his coworkers are constantly scanning the place keeping the rif raf out. I was getting p*ssed with Nurah and I couldn't be bothered with the SW's anymore so I decided to walk home. I get lost. Where is my hotel? Suddenly I see a couple walking in my direction. She walks away from him and latches herself on to me. No French at all but she is doable. 40 k I say, ok. Good fuck, good service levels, no problem in the morning.

Next to club Jax there is a ST hotel with a bar restaurant and a couple of sex workers inside. Entry is through the bar. The SW I saw where second tier.

Sophia dance club: Went on a Monday. It was empty. According to the waitress it only gets busy thursdays to sundays. Als a couple of SW's outisde. Didn't see anything that caught my eye.

I think the city is generally safe. Watch out at night for the man holes you see here on every other corner.

[Member #4673]

Who's booked on the morrow to Fianar on Sonatra for 18.000 AR.

Bit hard to find the Gare Routiere du Sud for TB so its here https://goo.gl/maps/R2NWi4fjcQ8dqg3g9. They will happy to give you a good seat.

[Member #4673]

Who's booked on the morrow to Fianar on Sonatra for 18.000 AR.

I was staying in Hotel Mini Croq https://goo.gl/maps/k3qSSR754WBTae5Q9 its very central you will be surrounded by food options. Its cheap hotel but good.

Many small hole in the walls bars with girls. In fact walk from hotel and say Hi To Taxi drivers they will tell you the best places.

No need puspus there I was walking everywhere. I was in Jan and the roads becomes river.

[Neddy69]

Accommodation: Unless you really like to stay right besides Tahiti IMHO Diamant is really run down.

I checked following options:

LE LOUIS 15.

Rue Lyantey, Antsirabe, Madagascar.

+261 34 06 861 09.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DT5QK4BvE6ZPrqVA6

Hotel Hasina.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7iArW2ZPZx5e1H3Z6

Baobab.

Antsirabe, Madagascar.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/62bjHKnJsoHZ93Yj6

All these places are ok. Between 40 and 50 k AR.

Recommended eateries:

As mentioned by NMExpert.

Hands down best place for breakfast. I love the cheese sandwiches.

Mirana.

Antsirabe, Madagascar.

+261 20 44 491 81.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgtJ9h1CNNATrL6E8

One of my top5 eateries in Mada. I love that place. In fact I am there right now. Draft THB. Just excellent food and cosy atmosphere and very good service.

Razafimamonjy.

Antsirabe, Madagascar.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6guog4Psr7bH1Wyx8

If you like greek food. See my greek friend:

LE Grec.

Antsirabe, Madagascar.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/wnUp2yLNpK8equVY8

Good south african Red Wine.

Sortir:

You can find chics as mentioned already in Tahiti and opposite SWs. This is the only place.

Other than that try the Karaoke joints.

I was lucky there. Nice atmosphere.

Nouveau Synchro.

Lot 01 E150, Lalana Pastuer, Antananarivo, Madagascar.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/oBCZVTTbbuxQY4gr7

Or for the brave hearted:

Karaoke Atlas.

Antsirabe, Madagascar.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/EJpJQ2mW1X5BEVfq7

All other places I wrote about. As pointed out already. Don't come here if you're on a Sex-a-thon.

But perfect spot for R&R

La Buse.

Who's booked on the morrow to Fianar on Sonatra for 18.000 AR.