Madagascar

[Vavy Lover]

Very good news. Keeps all Pattaya tourists away. Even Nairobi there was a recent cholera outbreak when I was passing through 2 months ago. Until now they have no working sewage system.

I recall learning that there are actually "outbreaks" every year, but only some make it into the western / global press. I don't think there is much to worry about from your typical mongers perspective as it is typically restricted to the truly impoverishe. Sad situation.

[Neddy69]

I went through just a year ago but can't recall. Anybody left the country recently know if there is a departure fee / tax at Ivato?

No. I think its included in the ticket price now. I only paid 20€ to jump the long queue at the check-in of air France.

[Neddy69]

Another outbreak of bubonic plague! In Antananarivo this time. But, no worries: it is curable.

Very good news. Keeps all Pattaya tourists away. Even Nairobi there was a recent cholera outbreak when I was passing through 2 months ago. Until now they have no working sewage system.

[Pokeris]

I went through just a year ago but can't recall. Anybody left the country recently know if there is a departure fee / tax at Ivato?

Last time I was there on July and didn't pay any departure taxes when fly out from Antananarivo.

[SouthEaster]

I went through just a year ago but can't recall. Anybody left the country recently know if there is a departure fee / tax at Ivato?

[Golfinho]

Another outbreak of bubonic plague! In Antananarivo this time. But, no worries: it is curable.

[Neddy69]

Nice Report, but what about the Variety of girls in Managily? Quantity choice etc. Some older reports states that sometimes that area is dead in some months.

This is not Pattaya. I had always the same 5 massage girls. But that's sufficient. Or you go to Tulear for fresh take out.

[Neddy69]

Hey Neddy. The naked girl in your third photo. Was her name Marina? Pretty sure I had her a few years earlier in Toliara. Gorgeous and supreme body, not particularly experienced at that time.

Ah Toliara.

Don't remember. But it's her. Hot chica. Super sweet personality. She picked me up.

Memories.

[Neddy69]

Carry a copy of your Yellow Fever cert, too. The 'smarter' ones have thought to ask for that as well.

I never had a run in with them. But in Tana at night I move only with R4 taxi. But some friends were shaken down because they moved on foot. 10.000 AR. I only remember early morning on my way to the airport a hand came in through the R4 taxi window. I just said no comprende. Than the hand was withdrawn. Hehe. And I ll never forget the flic in totally french style on RN to Toliara.

Neddy.

Only my taxi driver was shaken down. Me dumb tourist. Ne pas de francais. Hehe.

[Vavy Lover]

Fond memories Mangily. Tulear 2015. You can see the buckets in front of my bungalow. Next year plan to go to 2 months Andavaduk. Internet actually ok. 3G. Bring a Solarpanel Charger. And I bought a netbook with 10 hrs batterylife. And my kindle. One time a day you go to Sebans drink beer and charge. And I bring my small sawyer waterfilter and permethrine treated mosquito net.

Hey Neddy. The naked girl in your third photo. Was her name Marina? Pretty sure I had her a few years earlier in Toliara. Gorgeous and supreme body, not particularly experienced at that time.

Ah Toliara.

[Golfinho]

its a requirement to carry along your passport and an usual game of the police to get some cash if you don't. Not only the passport but also your visa: means, if you make a copy of the pages, then go to any police station and ask for their chop to confirm it. I did it once in Tana and it was working fine at all the check points.

Carry a copy of your Yellow Fever cert, too. The 'smarter' ones have thought to ask for that as well.

[Amadeuss]

Now one of my own. Got stopped by a cop / soldier around 10 pm last night in a pousse who asked for my passport. I spoke only English and said it was at the hotel. In return I heard blah blah blah the'argent blah blah. I played stupid, got out of the pousse and indicated that he should follow me to the hotel. He eventually gave up, I got back in the pousse and off we went. My question: is it a real requirement to have your ID at all times or was he just trying to get some cash? I don't fancy carrying my passport around at night.

Southeaster.

Thanks for your report. Yes, IleSM is said to be a place were coincidentially you can find your girl for the night as everywhere. But better if you bring along a girl from Ttave.

Now-- your question: yes, its a requirement to carry along your passport and an usual game of the police to get some cash if you don't. Not only the passport but also your visa: means, if you make a copy of the pages, then go to any police station and ask for their chop to confirm it. I did it once in Tana and it was working fine at all the check points. Because if you hand over the real passport, you are on their mercy.

[SouthEaster]

Just wrote report only to be booted back to the login page! Fuck is that frustrating. Here we go again.

I took a taxi brousse boat combo. The supposedly 6 hour trip turned out to be almost 12.5 hour on the TB, a 4 hour delay at the dock and almost 2 hours on the boat. I suspect the delay is common. Shallow water at the harbour entrance probably means they have to wait for high tide. Coming back they will tell you to get to the dock at 4:30 am. Don't bother and sleep another hour. The boat doesn't leave till 6 at the earliest.

The town is basically about a 500 metre strip of main road along the waterfront with several hotels and restaurants. If you download LP's 2016 guide you can expect prices to have risen about 20%. I can recommend mama Santas pizza. Good value and big enough to share with your girl or friend. Poor selection of alcohol though. I thought La Paillotte was overpriced and under delivered but they do have the cheapest wine in town.

Girls. Of course not the numbers and selection of larger places but still available. If you wander the main drag in the evening you will see some and a few will even approach you. She doesn't want to talk about the weather! I went to La Banane each evening as there is usually a few FL girls inside and walking past. Buy a THB and sit outside and you will find something. I paid 30 K ST. If you have a girl already take her along. They all love the place.

If you want to be a pro monger French is a must.

Any question feel free to ask.

Now one of my own. Got stopped by a cop / soldier around 10 pm last night in a pousse who asked for my passport. I spoke only English and said it was at the hotel. In return I heard blah blah blah the'argent blah blah. I played stupid, got out of the pousse and indicated that he should follow me to the hotel. He eventually gave up, I got back in the pousse and off we went. My question: is it a real requirement to have your ID at all times or was he just trying to get some cash? I don't fancy carrying my passport around at night.

Southeaster.

[SouthEaster]

Thought I would give you guys a bit of info on my trip there. Not a lot of info on this forum on the place.

I went by taxi brousse and boat. The supposed 6 hour trip turned out to be almost 12! 5 hours plus by TB then a 4 hour delay with the boat and finally almost 2 hours to the island. I suspect the delay is common as the ocean bottom out of the harbour is very shallow and they must wait for optimum tide.

Coming back they will tell you to be at the dock at 4:30 am. This is bullshit as the boat doesn't leave until 6 at the earliest. Stay at your hotel until 5:30 and get some extra sleep.

The main town is basically around 500 meters of one street almost fronting the sea. There are several hotel options and a few restaurants that are western run or are designed for western clientele. If you download the 2016 LP guidebook from 2016 you can expect prices to have climbed about 20% past that. Not to say it is expensive, maybe slightly more pricey and smaller portions than Tamatave. I can recommend Mama Santas pizza as good and the best deal I found but very limited alcohol selection. Pizza is big enough to share with your girl. La Pailotte is overpriced and under delivers. The best thing there is the cheapest wine in town.

Girls. As in the rest of the country of course they are around. In the evening if you are strolling the main drag you will get some obvious looks or even the odd one who will begin talking to you. She is not asking about the weather. I found the best place to be La Banane. Most evenings there will be a few freelancers both inside and walking past. Buy a THB and sit outside. Makes things very simple and cost is cheap. I paid 30 K for ST. Having said all that, you are not going to get the same choice or numbers as say, Taxi Be in Tamatave. If you have a girl you like one option is to bring her along. They all love the place.

Be prepared for electric cuts and low water pressure both of these are precious on the island. They deliberately cut the power from 5-8 am everyday but it can and does go out randomly as well.

Would I go back? Not worth the grief of the trip in my opinion but if you want a really quiet escape and you are already in Tamatave check it for yourself.

Now a question of my own. Got stopped around 10 pm coming back from La Terrasse in a pousse by a cop / soldier who asked for my passport. I said it was at my hotel and then I heard blah blah the'argent. I played stupid and spoke only in English and then got out of the pousse and indicated for him to follow me to my hotel which was just around the corner where I could show him my passport. He gave up, I got back in the pousse and back to my hotel. My question: is there an actual requirement to carry your identification at all times or was he just trying it on to get some cash out of me? Anyone know for sure? I do not like carrying my passport around in the evening.

Southeaster.

[Member #4563]

Fond memories Mangily. Tulear 2015. You can see the buckets in front of my bungalow. Next year plan to go to 2 months Andavaduk. Internet actually ok. 3G. Bring a Solarpanel Charger. And I bought a netbook with 10 hrs batterylife. And my kindle. One time a day you go to Sebans drink beer and charge. And I bring my small sawyer waterfilter and permethrine treated mosquito net.

Nice Report, but what about the Variety of girls in Managily? Quantity choice etc. Some older reports states that sometimes that area is dead in some months.