Madagascar

[LoveEastAsia]

Hello everybody,

I am looking for the best way to go to Sambava Antahala from Tana Tamatave during the dry season September October.

3 choices?

1/ by air: the plane is too expensive, unreliable and uninteresting (Tana sambava 450 euros).

2/ by car:4 X 4 is great. We can stop when we want, already took hitchhikers last year (see photo) ! (already experienced it last year on RN7 salary Manakara tamatave) but it costs too. Also expensive with 4 x 4 (40 Euros) petrol, hotel. Unless that anyone interested to share travel and expenses? Does someone have any experience on that trip?

3/ by SEA: Someone gave me an hint and told me that it is possible to go by sea Tamatave Sambava or Antahala. Does someone already experience it? Which company? Where to book? Duration? Price?

Thanks beforehand.

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[Amadeuss]

One factor in my opinion is that each of you commenting is that you yourself have aged by ten years, this could also be a reason for not being as successful in pulling non pros as you used to.

I am in my fifties and am experiencing this in SA or in any African country I visit.
.

Your assumption is absolutely incorrect!

My first visit to Mada is 15 years back. I am many years your senior, but still don't have any problem finding "les filles" to join me for an hour, a night or a week as this happy young student from Toamasina:

[Beno69]

I got stuck without cash in tulear last December when the ATM's either did not work or ran out of money..

I was in Nosy Be absolutely no Problem to change in the street near market. The rate was better than in Tana in the Bank - because they don't pay what's written on the board - they will take a commission: about 5%!

[Lover Africa]

Golfino, Amadeus and Donomar are all seasoned Madagascar vets so my views as a 2 time visitor may let some newcomers see things from a newbie perspective.

If I may add something from a different point of view.

I reside in South Africa have never been to Mada but read the posts with interest.

One factor in my opinion is that each of you commenting is that you yourself have aged by ten years, this could also be a reason for not being as successful in pulling non pros as you used to.

I am in my fifties and am experiencing this in SA or in any African country I visit.

Great reports.

LA.

[Golfinho]

half day in waiting line in Mada ATM. .

I got stuck without cash in tulear last December when the ATM's either did not work or ran out of money. Never again. Had to change $ and € with the thieving Hindus at robbery exchange rate. Never again.

Correction: Airlink ticket exchange fee was $10.70.

[Golfinho]

Grow up bro. Using racist words like STINKY for Hindus simply paint you as a racist pig. I'm a Hindu myself from Mauritius and I can guarantee that I smell better than you. Know why? Because racist thugs like you STINK!

Not all stink. In Tana, we stay at the Hindu-owned Central Hotel which hosts various type of sub-Continentals yet manages to maintain a hygienic standard.

[SouthEaster]

Golfino, Amadeus and Donomar are all seasoned Madagascar vets so my views as a 2 time visitor may let some newcomers see things fro a newbie perspective. I won't bother with the expense and language issues. They have been done already.

I have spent 10 days in Diego and have to say I had a good if not great time. I never knew the non pro days (if there is truly such a thing, enough said) he sadly recalls but after my time there and seeing what is on offer I would return. There are heaps of freelancers and as I said earlier most are not to my taste but you cannot help but find something decent after a couple of days, as I did. Sweet 22 year old, no kids GFE to the max right down to I love you and tears when we part. Not really my thing but hey better than some cold heart. She has lost her "patron" and is trying hard to find another. We communicated in a mix of mostly forgotten high school French and pidgin English. Granted perhaps I got lucky but there were plenty more very tasty girls around if you wait and watch. DonOmar says it's over. I say give it a try. I know what it is like to see the heyday gone and am pissed off every time I visit the PI and knew what it was like in the 80's and 90's. Same as Cambodia for the 90's and 2000's and Thailand for the 70's and 80's. Gone and never to return. But if you have never been to Mada before, don't mind pros for a great price and have a bit (OK a lot!) of patience try it. Pattaya or AC it's not. If that is what you are used to don't bother. It's like new guys going to AC, they think it's wonderful, never having known the true paradise it was in the 80's.

If you are up for an adventure and new horizons it might be for you. On the other hand as Amadeus believes, maybe I should be discouraging people from coming so they don't fuck it up even further! Best words of advice, don't come for 2 weeks. You need time and patience.

Southeaster

[Member #4178]

Don't forget to print face ticket that shows that you exit Thailand upon arrival from TNR.

The check it in TNR as you check in. In fact in every country. Without this you will not get into flight to BKK.

[DesiBoyz]

Air Mauritius is fastest going TNR-south Asia, now that Air Mada is off the Bangkok route. And that flight is not full of Chinese or stinky Hindus.

Grow up bro. Using racist words like STINKY for Hindus simply paint you as a racist pig. I'm a Hindu myself from Mauritius and I can guarantee that I smell better than you. Know why? Because racist thugs like you STINK!

[Golfinho]

Airlink fares are the highest.Air Seychelles were the most friendly ones with good fares, even one way, and on board a very good service.

Air Mauritius is fastest going TNR-south Asia, now that Air Mada is off the Bangkok route. And that flight is not full of Chinese or stinky Hindus.

[Amadeuss]

Wow. The reviews for Mada sure turned negative quickly.

Only one. Think of a tactic to fend the masses off. LOL.

[Amadeuss]

Airlink to Jo'burg charged me 17 USD (50 k AR) to change dates last month. How'd you like your 5 hour Nairobi stopover on the TNR-BKK route.

Airlink fares are the highest. Full eco fare, that's why changing is ok.

Kenya Air: I did try to get an urgent one way back ticket with Robinson Travel after Air France (f*#k them) refused to change dates. They were not very helpful.

Air Seychelles were the most friendly ones with good fares, even one way, and on board a very good service.

[SouthEaster]

Wow. The reviews for Mada sure turned negative quickly. I agree that travel to and from is expensive and French is the way to go but if you have the time and the money I would give it a try. I do speak enough so that I can at least make contact. Perhaps it truly is nearly impossible without but I just find that hard to believe.

As for mongering, DonOmar I'm not sure what you expected but surely you didn't think you were going to find many stunners for 5 K? I like SEA girls and truly find the Mada girls not especially attractive but there are so many you can't help but find something tasty. As for Diego, you must have very high end tastes if you did not find anything. I am here now and a very cute 22 yr old is coming over in an hour for some fun. Each night and even afternoon if you go to Vahine or sit with a coffee on the street you will see plenty on the make. If it isn't obvious many will approach you so no need to even try. Granted many are too old or not very attractive but a little patience will be rewarded.

As for your trip, I will be doing the reverse from Diego in a few days so would like to hear you travel details as I will be going all by road as well. I'm guessing that with your opinion of the place any reports I make in the future will be of little interest to you but perhaps they will be helpful to others. Sorry you did not enjoy your trip.

Southeaster

[Member #4178]

Airlink to Jo'burg charged me 17 USD (50 k AR) to change dates last month. How'd you like your 5 hour Nairobi stopover on the TNR-BKK route.

Yes, you also spend half day in waiting line in Mada ATM. LOL what a joke.

[Golfinho]

with Kenyan airways. They charge me only 100 k ariary to change the flight dates. That's nothing compering with other airlines. Very good stuff in Tana office. Roger aviation office.

Airlink to Jo'burg charged me 17 USD (50 k AR) to change dates last month. How'd you like your 5 hour Nairobi stopover on the TNR-BKK route.