Madagascar

[Member #4178]

Be very careful, the room cleaners can get out of control.

[Member #4178]

Off the topic, for anyone that liked my non-nude style photos stay tune to Thailand photo gallery.

The reason I mention it here is because we has some questions in the past where in mada we can meet Asian look girls.

Jp

[Botaki]

Anyone remember what's gooing on as far as weather and rain in December or jan?

My experience Jan / Feb:

Tana: pleasant, even warm at night that many SW's roam the roads.

Tulear: torching hot and dry.

Diego: 3 out of 5 days rain and wind.

[Member #4178]

Anyone remember what's gooing on as far as weather and rain in December or jan?

Saw the chart at wiki but real life experience is better.

Jp

[Member #4178]

The best monger hotel is vitasoa which recently appears in Google maps. Ask for Paul he works in the Restaurant belong to carol. (Its within the hotel compound). Paul can help with anything. Many girls are all over and all of them are free to adventure. Its a very small town so very soon you will get many friends. Some other nongers / expats are around the main coffee shop in the center.

Antalaha girls are more eager to jump to bed then the one from Sambava. Below are some photos from sambava but Antalaha is much better place to stay.

[Amadeuss]

How is the situation about the police? Hassles and passport control? Monger's arrest? Etc?

No need for alarm, this island is not an international center of tourism, far from it. The prices are however higher than those on the mainland and are displayed in euros. Anyway, hassles if, are not any more than in Diego, or Tamatave or Tulear.

[Alexsandro]

How is the situation about the police? Hassles and passport control? Monger's arrest? Etc?

[Vahaza Be]

An Indian merchant was killed (brutally) in Diego recently. A French ex-pat a few weeks before that. There is no functioning govt outside of Tana, and desperate people are taking advantage of the chaos and corruption. Even taxi-brousses traveling at night tend to caravan together in order to help limit the roadblocks and bandits.

Be careful and use common sense. If you are a loner, be extra cautious.

Vb

[Romlepes]

Thanks Botaki6 for your point of view.

I didn't want to travel across the country with a motorbike, but just explore the places arround citys. I just think it's a good way to be free and stay close with the population and more particularly girls.

[Amadeuss]

Sorry guys. We need to agree to disagree.

My reply was related to the question of availability of motobikes and on the danger of riding it in the traffic and road conditions of Mada. I did it and do not consider myself as "crazy". Perhaps adventorus.

I did not refer to the general situation of safety as it was not the question asked. Both of you wrote very positive reports of your recent stay. And then by a sudden you come up with comments as if Mada is hell on earth. Strange.

On Mada safety: Yes, I've read about that murder. It was in a little town near Tulear. Reasons still unknown.

In LA area you had 189 homicides just within past 5 months.

http://projects.latimes.com/homicide/map/

And then in the small mongering community of Angeles City / Phils. Within this year 3 foreigners shot on open roadside. Not to talk about the many killings of foreigners still unsolved within past years in that shithole.

Go figure where its more dangerous to be on the road alone.

I think we all like Mada and we know its a developing country with all its typical setbacks and dangers. No need to be hypocryte about it, but be pragmatic and watch your back as in other similar countries.

Will it stop YOU to return back? I don't think so. I'll be back! Soon!

[TigeDeJade]

Unavailability? Did I said that?

Mada is a very dangerous place now for the last two years. Tourist killed and rubbed all the time now. Things change.

Please refer to:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...ica/madagascar

"The weakening of government authority and rising unemployment, muggings and robberies are occurring with increasing frequency, not only in urban areas but in nature reserves and on beaches. There have also been increasing numbers of robberies from Bush taxi passengers. You should keep clear of any street disturbances. You should not leave your bags unattended, or go near unattended bags. You should keep large amounts of money, jewellery, cameras and cell phones out of sight when walking in town centres. Avoid walking in city centres after dark.

There have been incidents of armed robbery in some National Parks.

You should also take sensible precautions in crowded areas such as street markets and airports, where pick-pocketing is common. You should also be cautious on beaches where there have been reports of attacks and robberies. You should avoid visiting them alone.

Safeguard valuables, important documents and cash. Deposit them in hotel safes, where practical. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, in a separate place to the documents themselves.

Vehicle theft and theft from cars has become more frequent during recent months."

I fully agree with JP.

For info a couple of French who were restaurant owners near TOLIARA, travelling alone with quad have just been killed with knives on the beach last week near TOLIARA (cf today : L'EXPRESS DE MADAGASCAR justice instruction is in process)

Why to behave foolishly when it is so easy to enjoy with a minimum of attention.

To go alone with a quad is foolish from my point of view.

Always better to rent a car with driver or (equivalent) hire a taxi: if there is any problem you will not be alone, with somebody speaking malagasy and the risks are lower.

Moreover the guy will know the places to avoid to remain safe.

[Member #4178]

I am not sure where are the hottest girls in Mada, but this lady from Morandava fucked me like hell. When I have told her that I am going to leave to Diego she said " what time we are leaving".

I think that the girls in the south are more wild then the north. In the north they more civilized and polite. Don't take me too seriously, perhaps I am fantasizes because I want to feel again the wild south.

[Member #4178]

John: got to disagree with your statement of danger and unavailability.

Unavailability? Did I said that?

Mada is a very dangerous place now for the last two years. Tourist killed and rubbed all the time now. Things change.

Please refer to:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...ica/madagascar

"The weakening of government authority and rising unemployment, muggings and robberies are occurring with increasing frequency, not only in urban areas but in nature reserves and on beaches. There have also been increasing numbers of robberies from Bush taxi passengers. You should keep clear of any street disturbances. You should not leave your bags unattended, or go near unattended bags. You should keep large amounts of money, jewellery, cameras and cell phones out of sight when walking in town centres. Avoid walking in city centres after dark.

There have been incidents of armed robbery in some National Parks.

You should also take sensible precautions in crowded areas such as street markets and airports, where pick-pocketing is common. You should also be cautious on beaches where there have been reports of attacks and robberies. You should avoid visiting them alone.

Safeguard valuables, important documents and cash. Deposit them in hotel safes, where practical. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, in a separate place to the documents themselves.

Vehicle theft and theft from cars has become more frequent during recent months."

[Amadeuss]

I have plan to go to Mahajunga and Diego, rent a motorbike on place and go to visit the small towns arround. Do you think it's a good idea?

John: got to disagree with your statement of danger and unavailability.

Rom: I did rent motobikes all over Mada: 650 cc Transalp as well 125 cc Scooters / Naked bikes and a 350 cc Quad.

In Tana you can find 2 companies renting out the big ones: 650. 1000 cc. Google them. Easy to find. They charge you 40. 50 EU / day. Its even more expensive then a car with driver. I did it once: Tana. Antsirabe. Mahanoro and return in a week. Challenging! Great winding road but riding max 250 km and you will call it a day.

I did rent a Quad to explore the spiny forest near Tulear. Also 40 EU / day. Good for short distance. BUT. It sucks fuel. 10 l / 100 km and the tank takes only 9 l. There are 2 companies in Tulear on the net renting out Quads.

I did rent a scooter in Diego. The place was at the end of the mainroad up the hill where the roundabout is. Its a restaurant with bikes parked in front for rent. I paid 20. 000 MGA / day and did explore the beach up to Sakalava. Great experience.

I did rent a China-made 150 cc from a local guy by talking to him on the road in Fiana. Offered him 100. 000 MGA for 4 days and he agreed happily. Almost wanted to throw in his young wife as companion for my trip.

I did rent a 175 cc Cross bike in Nosy Be. There are many places along the main road. I paid 25. 000 MGA / day and did cruise over the whole island.

I never came across any threatening situation in regards of riding the bikes. But since young years I do ride bikes all sizes also in not so well developed countries like Romania or Serbia.

On the opportunities to hook up a Malagasy along the road? Well. If you can hook up a torte in your home-country, you can do even much better in Mada. Opportunities everywhere.

[Member #4178]

Hi John Palmer, good pictures!

I'll visit madagascar in July. So, I like your way to travel and I have plan to go to Mahajunga and Diego, rent a motorbike on place and go to visit the small towns arround. Do you think it's a good idea? Do you have any advise on the small towns arround these two places?

Thanks

Too risky as far as safty, Mada is not Thailand. Motorbikes rent are expensive. Cheaper and safer to take a taxi per half a day or a few hours. I took a taxi from Diego to Ramena including stops for photos and the driver scroll to all the hotels and show me the village. I paid around 20 US$ for the trip. I stayed there 2 days.

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