Madagascar

[Muzungufotsy]

Simple commercial transaction. What an accomplishment. You are the best.

Of course. And this has nothing to do with corruption.

[Golfinho]

And I pay them too and I'm aware of thatL.

Simple commercial transaction. What an accomplishment. You are the best.

[Muzungufotsy]

Total lack of self-awareness. Meanwhile, you are paying girls.

And I fuck them too and I'm aware of that LOL.

[Golfinho]

If you don't like waiting don't go to Mada then. If everytime I have to wait there I would give something I would be broke in 1 day. I don't encourage corruption.

Total lack of self-awareness. Meanwhile, you are paying girls.

[Muzungufotsy]

So much easier unless you enjoy waiting. If you don't have a seat in front of the plane, or you can't get off fast enough and you need a visa on arrival, it's a no brainer to give one of the guys 10 k ariary (if you saved some from your previous trip) to get your passport through first and with visa. If you've been around Africa enough, you ought to know the difference between a shakedown and a little facilitation donation.

If you don't like waiting don't go to Mada then. If everytime I have to wait there I would give something I would be broke in 1 day. I ve been to Ivato countless times and never paid anything extra there. Just a big smile one word in Malagasy to show him I m not a stupid newbie and that's it. No questions asked. Nobody checked my luggage. I don't encourage corruption.

[Golfinho]

I don't like customs make a mess of my luggage. A small tip makes life so much easier in Mada.
I also gave a small tip 5 k to avoid unpacking my trolly. So much easier.

So much easier unless you enjoy waiting. If you don't have a seat in front of the plane, or you can't get off fast enough and you need a visa on arrival, it's a no brainer to give one of the guys 10 k ariary (if you saved some from your previous trip) to get your passport through first and with visa. If you've been around Africa enough, you ought to know the difference between a shakedown and a little facilitation donation.

[Beno69]

They have stolen my mobile today, but I catch him and took it back. Even my girlfriend told me it's crazy in this days! Her brother they steel 20 000 arial same afternoon. Also in the market during daytime! And she changed 100 Euros and they trick her and steel 50 000 arial from the 390 000 arial. Crazy even for locals. And no one try to catch the thieves!!

[Muzungufotsy]

I don't like customs make a mess of my luggage. A small tip makes life so much easier in Mada.

Bribing when you are wrong maybe. Bribing because you are lazy and then encourage officials to bother other tourists for nothing I don't agree. There is enough corruption here no need to make it worse.

[Doc16]

Sorry, but I don't see the point here, if you find better price on internet and you prefer to book in advance, so why not booking on internet?

Sorry, but the euro sign didn't show up. I saw it on internet for 45 euros!! That's about 180 k AR! By contrast, Neddy quoted a price as of 50-60 k AR!!Hope I made my point now.

[RangeLove]

Why you want to skip control? Never ever had any problem. What's your problem?

And 5 Euro as tip --gosh men- its 20.000 MGA, the fee for a shag or for a complete meal in a good restaurant. You ever been to Mada?

I don't like customs make a mess of my luggage. A small tip makes life so much easier in Mada.

But I never usualy give that much. When I arrived I still had no Ariary changed and the smallest euro note is €5. That's the reason why.

When I toke my flight to Majunga the cabin luggage was limited to 7 kg. Mine was 10 kg.

I also gave a small tip 5 k to avoid unpacking my trolly. So much easier.

[SouthEaster]

I am a bit confused too. Apparently you can book online for what seems to be a very good price, so what is stopping you? If you are worried you won't like it book it for a few days and have a look around for something more to your taste.

SE.

[Neddy69]

Neddy,

You have been so kind to provide an overview of some accommodations in Nosy Be. You quote Hotel Ylang-ylang for 50-60 k. However, on the internet they advertise a double room for 45! Could the difference between pre-booking and on the spot negotiation indeed be that large? I would be surprised. I know that in general it is better not to prebook. However, I will arrive at NB airport around 18:00 o'clock and would prefer not to have too much hassle finding a decent hotel that late in the evening. Any suggestions (from anyone)?

5000 AR is about 1. 25 euros. I think you can trade them down to 40 k if you stay a month. The problem with ylang ylang is that it is fully booked most of the time. Try hotel ody. No need to prebook. Better negotiate on the spot.

[Albert9989]

Neddy,

You have been so kind to provide an overview of some accommodations in Nosy Be. You quote Hotel Ylang-ylang for 50-60 k. However, on the internet they advertise a double room for 45! Could the difference between pre-booking and on the spot negotiation indeed be that large? I would be surprised. I know that in general it is better not to prebook. However, I will arrive at NB airport around 18:00 o'clock and would prefer not to have too much hassle finding a decent hotel that late in the evening. Any suggestions (from anyone)?

Sorry, but I don't see the point here, if you find better price on internet and you prefer to book in advance, so why not booking on internet?

[Golfinho]

Neddy, You quote Hotel Ylang-ylang for 50-60 k. on the internet they advertise a double room for 45! Could the difference between pre-booking and on the spot negotiation indeed be that large?, I will arrive at NB airport around 18:00 o'clock and would prefer not to have too much hassle. Any suggestions (from anyone)?

A suggestion: the difference is $1.50! For an amount of that nature, you must really consider your spot negotiation ability in relation to your preference to not have too much hassle.

[Doc16]

Neddy,

You have been so kind to provide an overview of some accommodations in Nosy Be. You quote Hotel Ylang-ylang for 50-60 k. However, on the internet they advertise a double room for 45! Could the difference between pre-booking and on the spot negotiation indeed be that large? I would be surprised. I know that in general it is better not to prebook. However, I will arrive at NB airport around 18:00 o'clock and would prefer not to have too much hassle finding a decent hotel that late in the evening. Any suggestions (from anyone)?