Madagascar

[Vahaza Be]

There is an American Cultural Center in Tana not too far from the old train station. Worth a stop by to meet Malagasy who speak (or want to speak) English.

You could also post an ad at the University (ask the taxi to take you to Ankatso and the Universite) for a female English speaking guide.

English was proclaimed the 3rd official language by the ex-President now in exile a few years ago, but very few people speak fluent English. The Malagasy -- unlike the French -- are not snobs about their language. A few mixed words of Malagasy, French and/or English will sometimes be enough if you are polite.

Diego Suarez in the north has lots of ex-pats of all stripes. The tourist island of Nosy Be is nearby, and will have more than an average number of people with some minimal English skills.

Be careful with motorcycles in Mad, especially around bigger cities (bad roads and drunk drivers!).

[Trevor2522]

Are there any English-language interest groups in Antananarivo who would be interested in meeting visiting native English speakers? It might be a way for newbies to make local friends and be introduced to the culture. Or even paid English-speaking tourist guides, preferably female?

[MarioMarengo]

VB ... outside of the capital Tana which town would you say has the most-vibrant expat community? Being almost-exclusively French-speakers, how open are they to native English speakers who make a genuine effort to speak French? Presumably the younger ones would speak a fair bit of English too.

Roughly how much do provincial motorcycle rentals cost per week for a small machine? And is my UK / EU photocard licence enough or should I bring an international one too? Being the third world, I presume the foreigner is always deemed to be wrong in case of accident, but is there any insurance included? Presumably helmets are cheap locally but not of the greatest quality. Thanks again.

I think you are right,if something happens you are in troubles, once i had a problem in Saly SENEGAL, i had to pay if i dont want to go to prison the ***** and police station tell the truth me was the lier.Dont drive in third world

[Trevor2522]

VB ... outside of the capital Tana which town would you say has the most-vibrant expat community? Being almost-exclusively French-speakers, how open are they to native English speakers who make a genuine effort to speak French? Presumably the younger ones would speak a fair bit of English too.

Roughly how much do provincial motorcycle rentals cost per week for a small machine? And is my UK / EU photocard licence enough or should I bring an international one too? Being the third world, I presume the foreigner is always deemed to be wrong in case of accident, but is there any insurance included? Presumably helmets are cheap locally but not of the greatest quality. Thanks again.

[Vahaza Be]

The scenes are from all over Mad in that video. The Glacier is a bar/hotel in Tana, and the steps are also in Tana. One of the outdoor bars looked like the one across the street from the "Old Baobab Hotel" in Mahajanga (NW). The dancing scene looks a lot like a bar (whose name I forget) in Toliary (SW) frequented by all the ex-pat vazahas.

[Trevor2522]

Vazaha Be, do you know the location of the bar where 'Rasta President' picks up Christiane in this clip? It's called '_____ House'. Are such bars common as they never seem to be mentioned alongside Glacier, Buddha Club or Le Buffet du Jardin?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gumr8QtOG0U

[Vahaza Be]

Sorry to hear that the wireless '2G' Internet is so slow ... enough for international VOIP telephone calls perhaps (needs at least 100 kbps)? Otherwise, how much would I need to spend daily at a provincial hotel to be sure of having reasonable in-house WiFi Internet? I fear it is a sad reality of Mada that Western facilities are going to cost significantly by comparison with SE Asia. Thanks for your up-to-date info.

Even the best hotels may still have slow dial-up/modem internet connections. They won't cost much, and they aren't worth much either
The best connections are OK for email and down/uploads that don't exceed 1MB. Big images?? Forget about it!
cheers,
vb

[Trevor2522]

I use ORANGE for phone and laptop-based internet -- which is SLLOOWWW!! Fiber optics and broadband are finally in Mad, but only for business and govt so far as I can tell. Sim shops are found all over Tana.vb

Sorry to hear that the wireless '2G' Internet is so slow ... enough for international VOIP telephone calls perhaps (needs at least 100 kbps)? Otherwise, how much would I need to spend daily at a provincial hotel to be sure of having reasonable in-house WiFi Internet? I fear it is a sad reality of Mada that Western facilities are going to cost significantly by comparison with SE Asia. Thanks for your up-to-date info.

[Vahaza Be]

currently i'm in thailand where every western culinary and shopping whim is well-catered for. but what items are essential to bring from home when travelling to madagascar, i.e. that are not available there, hard-to-find, or expensive? do provincial hotels always supply towels, for instance? would a battery lantern be useful in case of power cuts? a voltage stabiliser perhaps to protect your electronics?

also, does madagascar have a functional internet service via the mobile (cellular) phone network? i'm thinking 2.5 g speeds: at least 150 kbps. this would free the traveller from needing to stay at top hotels with wi-fi. where is the best place in tana to get the data sim card and top-up for such a service? and best company to use? thanks.

i use orange for phone and laptop-based internet -- which is slloowww!! fiber optics and broadband are finally in mad, but only for business and govt so far as i can tell. sim shops are found all over tana.

i always have a battery lantern and headlamp to back up the candles when electricity cuts occur. and they will occur in most places. voltage stabilizers can be purchased in electronic shops on rue de independence and in tsaralalana, but bring one if you're worried.

towels are cheap. i wouldn't bother packing one -- just pick them up in mad.

safe travels,
vb

[Trevor2522]

currently i'm in thailand where every western culinary and shopping whim is well-catered for. but what items are essential to bring from home when travelling to madagascar, i.e. that are not available there, hard-to-find, or expensive? do provincial hotels always supply towels, for instance? would a battery lantern be useful in case of power cuts? a voltage stabiliser perhaps to protect your electronics?

also, does madagascar have a functional internet service via the mobile (cellular) phone network? i'm thinking 2.5 g speeds: at least 150 kbps. this would free the traveller from needing to stay at top hotels with wi-fi. where is the best place in tana to get the data sim card and top-up for such a service? and best company to use? thanks.

[Vahaza Be]

Hey,

What about security in Madagascar for tourists?

I don't know French and will I face major problem in finding girls.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

Security isn't too much of a problem if you keep your wits about you.
Always travel with your passport and visa, and keep a photocopy handy on nights out around the town, especially in the capitol of Antananarivo. Be careful in Tana not to get too drunk and wander into dark streets alone late at night -- you will be mugged and robbed, just like anywhere else in the world with a large urban center full of thugs and desperately poor folks. Be prepared to pay small bribes (~$10) if you are hassled by the police or drunk soldiers. Smile and be polite, and explain that you do not speak French or Malagasy.

You will need to find a "friend" to help you navigate Madagascar if you don't speak any French or Malagasy. Outside of the cities, almost no one will speak English and even in the larger cities, few people can converse in English.

Don't worry, the girls will find you -- in bars, discos, on the beach and on the streets. Smile and be kind. "Presents" are expected for sexual favors, even from nonpros.

[CoolBuddy]

Hey,

What about security in Madagascar for tourists?

I don't know French and will I face major problem in finding girls.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,

[Amadeuss]

Any help appreciated, from you familiar with Mada, to confirm whether almost all hotels are GF or not, even upscale accomodations?
Simbad

I agree to Vahaza's comment that no hotel has restrictions, as long as your companion can show her ID.
BUT..in some cases its just annoying to stand at the reception desk of a 3/4 star hotel, waiting to finalise the formalities and meanwhile a group of other guests staring at you as the typical sex tourist. (normally out of jealousy only, looking at their McDonald feeded wife ..)

I only stay in an upscale place, if I court a "good girl", but not buying a SW or Disco-*****.

For Diego Suarez...if you really like to go, I suggest this little abode>
Le Jardin Exotique, 9 Rue louis brunet (+261) 20 82 219 33
But Diego is a boring, hot, dusty town. At least move to Ramena beach for a couple of days...or cancel that in favor of Taomasina..with a much better selection of girls.

At Le Jardin>>

[Dialvaca]

Thanks Vazah-Be, I finally found the place, nice place, I liked it, was drinking a whisky at the bar, some girls there I guess prone to go home with no probs. And went for a massage, Patricia did gave the massage, after a while asked for extras and decided for the blowjob, man! It was a nice one, BBBJ and CIM, she liked it rough, slaping her ass, grabbed her hair, forced her to deeper, jaja, she was even shaking her body while staying down, she good suck I can tell you, quite slutty. Didn't asked for pics, sorry, but next time I will.

[MrSoulo]

Quite tall and very thin, nice long legs. Very good sucker, enjoyed the fact that I took pics of her. I cummed doggystyle.

Fantastic pics my man.

Keep up the good work.