Madagascar

[Albert9989]

Just BS. To collect cadeaux. 10.000 AR.

Thanks amadeuss for details below about security.

And here, Neddy, I am interested in knowing how these cadeau can be given to police. My old experience was in Ivory Coast, were I lived some time ago (years 80.), and every time they were arresting us for cadeau, but usually we were discussing and arguing a lot before accepting to give something, sometimes at the end they just said OK go without cadeau, or when we were sure they wanted that we give something. But we didn't start speaking cadeau too fast, they could take that as a trial to corrupt them.

And now in mada, is it the same process. Some dicussion before to be sure they will accept that? Or can we go strait to the cadeau?

[Neddy69]

Carry your yellow fever cert, too. One actually asked for it (which I fortunately had).

Just BS. To collect cadeaux. 10.000 AR.

[Pokeris]

I'm only here in Mada for 10 days and I know it's a brief time but I am in ZA for a few weeks with Mada nearby so I figured that I'the visit it again to relieve my old glories times there. I'm staying in Maroantsetra for a couple of days and hang out at Masaloa to enjoy the wildlife there.

As for the night walk in Tana, wouldn't a 5 minute walk be OK? I guess being with a gal or two would help though. Again, appreciate your informative response!

5 minutes walk can be safe or not safe depends where are you walking. Just use your common sense If you feel unsafe to walk at night at some part of town take taxi it should cost you no more than 4000- 5000 ariary at night for short distance ride.

[Golfinho]

Very true in Tana downtown. After dark, carry your original Passport with you. Even if you take a cab: they pull you out if you don't have identification documents with you.

Carry your yellow fever cert, too. One actually asked for it (which I fortunately had).

[KaliDude88]

No need to go to Mada for Tana only. At night its never safe in general. Walk with a mate or girl is reasonably ok. But alone: watch your back.

I'm only here in Mada for 10 days and I know it's a brief time but I am in ZA for a few weeks with Mada nearby so I figured that I'the visit it again to relieve my old glories times there. I'm staying in Maroantsetra for a couple of days and hang out at Masaloa to enjoy the wildlife there.

As for the night walk in Tana, wouldn't a 5 minute walk be OK? I guess being with a gal or two would help though. Again, appreciate your informative response!

[Pokeris]

Very true in Tana downtown. After dark, carry your original Passport with you. Even if you take a cab: they pull you out if you don't have identification documents with you.

So true!! Happen for me couple of times at tana police stop the cab and ask to show passport I didint have a passport but 10000 k sort out all problems both times. I know before I should carry passport with me but I am scared to loose it so better just pay small bribes. Someone suggest here before better make a copy of passport and visa and go to police station and ask to put stamp on it so you can carry just copy.

[Amadeuss]

Watch out for police. After dark, especially, wherever you are.

Very true in Tana downtown. After dark, carry your original Passport with you. Even if you take a cab: they pull you out if you don't have identification documents with you.

[Amadeuss]

And what about security in other cities like Fiana or Tulear, Mangily? Night walks are more safe?

Mangily is not really a city. Just a few straw huts and beach hotels. No streets, just sandy pathes. No lights. You need a torch to find your way. Without the moon its pitch dark!

Fianar. Nothing to walk. Only 2 or 3 places at night to visit. Taxis are battered old cars but cheap: 1 EU. Trip.

Tulear. Tamatav: both are ok 100 m around the pubs or restaurants. Otherwise plenty Bicycle Push-Push for 2000 MGA. Walking makes no sense.

In general: its not a country with a big bar-nightlife. At 6:00 its pitch dark already and after 8:00 in most parts no one on the road anymore.

[Golfinho]

No need to go to Mada for Tana only. At night its never safe in general. Walk with a mate or girl is reasonably ok. But alone: watch your back.

Watch out for police. After dark, especially, wherever you are.

[Albert9989]

No need to go to Mada for Tana only. At night its never safe in general. Walk with a mate or girl is reasonably ok. But alone: watch your back.

And what about security in other cities like Fiana or Tulear, Mangily? Night walks are more safe?

[Amadeuss]

Appreciate the latest tidbits especially on the Tana's scene. I'm assuming that Isorska neighborhood is still safe to walk around at night.

No need to go to Mada for Tana only. At night its never safe in general. Walk with a mate or girl is reasonably ok. But alone: watch your back.

[KaliDude88]

Not a trip report of how many I "milely" (that would take too much time to write about by at least 2 a day over the period of 4 weeks) with but more Infos on practicalities:

Visa on Arrival: print out from internet the application form, complete it at home, add a pic on it and the process at arrival is smooth and straightforward. 35 EU for 30 days.

Taxi to town: one time I paid 40.000, another time 50.000.

Hotel in Tana: NewSelect Hotel. Its next door to the Glacier. Location is perfect in downtown. The staircase is under construction and the elevator does not work (3 floors to walk up!) But the rooms for 72.000 with balcony are good, bed firm, shower hot and everything is working fine. ID-card form your copain is strictly required.

Glacier starts at sunset, I. E. 5:30, to get filled up. At 8:00 all the pros are there. You see them later at other bars. The last stop, as from midnight, is the TaxiBe, open till 4:00. Prices they ask are starting from 100 Euro, to go quickly down to 100.000 MGA and most settle between 40. To 60.000.

"Good" dating girls on TongaSoa and on Celebweb. On Badoo you find the pros.

Dinner to enjoy at Les Artistes, just in the lane behind the Glacier. Try the big (assume 1 kg) bbq prawn platter for 35.000: absolutely delicious..

Appreciate the latest tidbits especially on the Tana's scene. I'm assuming that Isorska neighborhood is still safe to walk around at night.

[Pokeris]

Not a trip report of how many I "milely" (that would take too much time to write about by at least 2 a day over the period of 4 weeks) with but more Infos on practicalities:

Visa on Arrival: print out from internet the application form, complete it at home, add a pic on it and the process at arrival is smooth and straightforward. 35 EU for 30 days.

Taxi to town: one time I paid 40.000, another time 50.000.

Hotel in Tana: NewSelect Hotel. Its next door to the Glacier. Location is perfect in downtown. The staircase is under construction and the elevator does not work (3 floors to walk up!) But the rooms for 72.000 with balcony are good, bed firm, shower hot and everything is working fine. ID-card form your copain is strictly required.

Glacier starts at sunset, I. E. 5:30, to get filled up. At 8:00 all the pros are there. You see them later at other bars. The last stop, as from midnight, is the TaxiBe, open till 4:00. Prices they ask are starting from 100 Euro, to go quickly down to 100.000 MGA and most settle between 40. To 60.000.

"Good" dating girls on TongaSoa and on Celebweb. On Badoo you find the pros.

Dinner to enjoy at Les Artistes, just in the lane behind the Glacier. Try the big (assume 1 kg) bbq prawn platter for 35.000: absolutely delicious.

Fianar: going by Bus Cotisse is easy. 35.000. Did stay at the Vannie Hotel for 55.000. Nightlife at "Charlies Bar". Its a dump, filled with pot smoke -- but close to the feeling of Apocalypse Now: shag a Bush-girl behind the fence for 10.000.

Tulear: going from Fianar by taxi brousse Merc Sprinter: buy two seats in the row behind the driver. Its 60.000 and gives you space for the 8 hour ride.

Hotel Serena: nice rooms for 90.000. There are cheaper places but most of then dumps. The Boef for dinner and meeting local expats. Plenty streetwalkers in front. The discos start late. My friend went and was very happy.

Mangily: if you like Sun Sea and Sex, its the place. The new bungalows BellaDonna pieds dans leau are perfect to relax at daytime, with a massage thrown in. Then at night you walk 10 min to the main road: plenty local freelancers eager to share your bed. The morning cadeaux of 20.000 makes them happy.

Eating at "Freddies"- everyone knows. But cheaper and good quality seafood at Daniel's, 100 m up the beach: we had lobster "satt" for 2, costing 50.000.

Flight back to Tana: no problem to book in the Tulear office of AirMad: 630.000 one way -- and you can change date without add on charges. Flight was on time. All good.

Thanks for sharing mate!! Good information for future trip!

[Muzungufotsy]

Glacier starts at sunset, I. E. 5:30, to get filled up. At 8:00 all the pros are there. You see them later at other bars. The last stop, as from midnight, is the TaxiBe, open till 4:00. Prices they ask are starting from 100 Euro, to go quickly down to 100.000 MGA and most settle between 40. To 60.000.

Girls asking 100 euros in Mada? I would never think this will happen in my lifetime!

That s shocking!

Must be the consequence of stupid overpaying mongers who spoiled so many destinations and now even Mada.

[Amadeuss]

Not a trip report of how many I "milely" (that would take too much time to write about by at least 2 a day over the period of 4 weeks) with but more Infos on practicalities:

Visa on Arrival: print out from internet the application form, complete it at home, add a pic on it and the process at arrival is smooth and straightforward. 35 EU for 30 days.

Taxi to town: one time I paid 40.000, another time 50.000.

Hotel in Tana: NewSelect Hotel. Its next door to the Glacier. Location is perfect in downtown. The staircase is under construction and the elevator does not work (3 floors to walk up!) But the rooms for 72.000 with balcony are good, bed firm, shower hot and everything is working fine. ID-card form your copain is strictly required.

Glacier starts at sunset, I. E. 5:30, to get filled up. At 8:00 all the pros are there. You see them later at other bars. The last stop, as from midnight, is the TaxiBe, open till 4:00. Prices they ask are starting from 100 Euro, to go quickly down to 100.000 MGA and most settle between 40. To 60.000.

"Good" dating girls on TongaSoa and on Celebweb. On Badoo you find the pros.

Dinner to enjoy at Les Artistes, just in the lane behind the Glacier. Try the big (assume 1 kg) bbq prawn platter for 35.000: absolutely delicious.

Fianar: going by Bus Cotisse is easy. 35.000. Did stay at the Vannie Hotel for 55.000. Nightlife at "Charlies Bar". Its a dump, filled with pot smoke -- but close to the feeling of Apocalypse Now: shag a Bush-girl behind the fence for 10.000.

Tulear: going from Fianar by taxi brousse Merc Sprinter: buy two seats in the row behind the driver. Its 60.000 and gives you space for the 8 hour ride.

Hotel Serena: nice rooms for 90.000. There are cheaper places but most of then dumps. The Boef for dinner and meeting local expats. Plenty streetwalkers in front. The discos start late. My friend went and was very happy.

Mangily: if you like Sun Sea and Sex, its the place. The new bungalows BellaDonna pieds dans leau are perfect to relax at daytime, with a massage thrown in. Then at night you walk 10 min to the main road: plenty local freelancers eager to share your bed. The morning cadeaux of 20.000 makes them happy.

Eating at "Freddies"- everyone knows. But cheaper and good quality seafood at Daniel's, 100 m up the beach: we had lobster "satt" for 2, costing 50.000.

Flight back to Tana: no problem to book in the Tulear office of AirMad: 630.000 one way -- and you can change date without add on charges. Flight was on time. All good.