Madagascar

[Neddy69]

Well. After spending almost 2 weeks in Antsirabe due to various health issues. Time to move in the direction of Tulear. Sort of. The travel from Antsirabe to Fianar went fairly painless. Sprinter 6 hours. My intention was to continue next morning to Tulear. New lessons learned. Avoid taking Taxi Brousse on Sundays. Takes too long to fill up. After presenting myself at Sonatra at 0630 I figured a departure around 0800 latest. Well. Fat chance. Here you're being pestered by all kinds of touts want to extract money off you for an imaginary service. After playing the waiting game it looked we were going to depart finally around 0900. It's getting late. Than an malgache Expat family Reunion? Started to raise hell with the driver he took on an unauthorized policeman as passenger crammed in. Than he started to drive like a madman to make up for lost time. End of story of that SNAFU we all ended up close to 1000 hours BACK at the station. Welcome to Mada.

I find Fianar actually very pleasant and cheap. Much milder climate Yesterday evening I checked out Jax. But I also liked the gasy boite besides it. Some fuglies tried to attach themselves. I pass merci.

La Buse.

Who doesn't feel to continue to Tulear right now. Found a cozy guest house run by a former chinese Kung Fu champion. Dirt cheap 35 k.

[RangeLove]

I had also wanted to do this but I was unsure about the taxi cost. I wonder if there is an accepted hourly taxi rate. What did you agree with the driver?

When he brought me back with 2 girls I choose I just gave him an extra tip of 5 k. But he also liked the whole thing and we very much laughed and made fun with the girls in the street.

So it was not so much a ride he didn't like to make.

[Pokeris]

I had also wanted to do this but I was unsure about the taxi cost. I wonder if there is an accepted hourly taxi rate. What did you agree with the driver?

You always can negotiate the rate with driver like every country.

[TailPipe]

When I was in Tana I asked a taxi driver to drive slowly around in the streets with SW. It was safe and easy to pick up a girl. Taxi driver was also into it and helped me to translate for girls who didn't speak French.

When we stopped to negotiate with a girl I liked all the girls came to the taxi ans start chatting to us. Very funny and I felt safe the whole time.

I had also wanted to do this but I was unsure about the taxi cost. I wonder if there is an accepted hourly taxi rate. What did you agree with the driver?

[RangeLove]

A pity Tana is so dangerous at night. If you walk a bit around Sole Hotel you will notice the whole area is full of SW's after nightfall. You have to be discriminate though. Some of them are clearly in need of medical attention. In some other cases the difference between a club girl and a street girl is just a wig and high heels in my opinion. I think I would dare to cruise the area until 21-22 o clock but not later than that.


TP.

When I was in Tana I asked a taxi driver to drive slowly around in the streets with SW. It was safe and easy to pick up a girl. Taxi driver was also into it and helped me to translate for girls who didn't speak French.

When we stopped to negotiate with a girl I liked all the girls came to the taxi ans start chatting to us. Very funny and I felt safe the whole time.

[TailPipe]

Nosy Be, Ambatoloaka is completely different than any other place I visited in Mada so far. It actually is a small holiday resort with the advantages and disadvantages it comes with but I feel good here. If I would have to choose between Nosy, Tulear or Tana, Nosy would win hands down. And I'm just speaking about the feel good factor on the ground. The women are beautiful and plentiful.

Food costs here nearly double than what I was paying in Manakara and Ranomafana and there are not that many budget eateries. If you stand with your back to the casino you will see a gargotte in front of you serving dishes between 6 to 10 k. Most of these gargottes will serve more or less the same menu. Fish, chicken or beef in sauce with rice. I'm from a potato eating country. I have not found a gargotte yet that serves a simple steak with fries.

I went for a stroll on the beach yesterday. It was to my surprise less commercial than I expected it to be. A bit more upscale restaurants and hotels but no beach bars. Or did I walk the wrong way?

At the end of Dar I saw a 'hotel' called 'Tortue Rapide'. It is next to the 4 star hotel Royal Beach Hotel. Rooms start at 36 k. Not for me. Very basic. If the price is your main issue.

[Amadeuss]

Why walk these areas at night? Between the police or whatever else, you don't need the aggravation.

10 years ago you got stopped every 500 m by a police control, asking for your passport with visa. And some cadeaux.

Its getting less over the years.

At my last visit I did walk in that area at night. Didn't feel an imminent threat and also didn't see those controls anymore. But at the same time also less SW's around the Sole Hotel and from there the way up to the Sakamaga Hotel, which was before a hotbed of groups of ladies of all ages.

[Neddy69]

I only realised they where there the night before I flew to Nosy and as such I don't know what the tariff is for Tana street walkers.

My main issue is I don't like clubbing. I start losing interest in the girls after a couple of drinks and it ruins my day after. But I admit there is a risk factor. A calculated risk but a real risk nevertheless.

Didn't feel good yesterday. This morning I woke up to find 3 pimple like spots on my knob. Probably not herpes, I know what that looks and feels like. I hope I have not contracted an STD.

TP.

If you go in raw. There is a fairly common STD called chancroid. Nothing special really. Ulcus molle caused by a bacteria H. Ducreyii. You get a painful small ulcer where the bacteria enters the skin. Usually on the foreskin area. Go to the next pharmacy and buy 1500 MG Azithromycine. Take a single dose of 1000 mgs. Takes about 10 days for the ulcer to heal. Most females are not aware as they're mostly symptom free.

My educated guess anyway. LOL.

Other than that Herpes genitalis.

La Buse.

The one who claims who has never paid bribes or never contracted STD is a liar and has never been to Africa. LOL.

[TailPipe]

Totally different gym: Tamboho suites overlooks Ambohijatovo Garden where the good gym is.

If the street girl puts on a wig and make-up and pays the cover for LE Glacier, she's dressing up for her date! Surely that merits paying double, otherwise true: there is little difference in most cases.

Why walk these areas at night? Between the police or whatever else, you don't need the aggravation.

I only realised they where there the night before I flew to Nosy and as such I don't know what the tariff is for Tana street walkers.

My main issue is I don't like clubbing. I start losing interest in the girls after a couple of drinks and it ruins my day after. But I admit there is a risk factor. A calculated risk but a real risk nevertheless.

Didn't feel good yesterday. This morning I woke up to find 3 pimple like spots on my knob. Probably not herpes, I know what that looks and feels like. I hope I have not contracted an STD.

TP.

[Neddy69]

Think this is the same gym NME is referring to. If you stand with your back to Manson walk down the street 150 metres.

A pity Tana is so dangerous at night. If you walk a bit around Sole Hotel you will notice the whole area is full of SW's after nightfall. You have to be discriminate though. Some of them are clearly in need of medical attention. In some other cases the difference between a club girl and a street girl is just a wig and high heels in my opinion. I think I would dare to cruise the area until 21-22 o clock but not later than that.

Arrived in Nosy Be this morning. Did some budget hotel hunting this afternoon. Visited La Caravelle 60 k+, Coucher du Soleil 80 k+, Ody 60 k+, Barracuda and hotel Ambatoloaka 60 k+.

The absolute best of the whole lot was undoutably Hotel Ambatoloaka. It's a new hotel and they are offering discounts to attract customers. You can find pictures online but don't book through the websites, contact the hotel directly. Prices start at 60 k for a room with mountain view, 72 k for a room with sea view and add about 35 k more for air conditionting. I reserved a room with mountain view for tomorrow (no direct sunlight, less heat). FYI: no toilet seats.

TP.

Accurate sitrep. I walked many times after night fall in that area. Mostly the SWs huddle together in groups some in well lit areas in front of shops. Sometimes there's chics even before nightfall. Met three sweet lasses last year around Les artistes late afternoon. Could have taken all three if I wanted. I was followed by a sweet lass also late afternoon before nightfall. If you do that stunt after nightfall avoid dark corners, stick to well lit roads, be aware of your surroundings, walk in the middle of the road and wear your fast sole sneakers and be ready for a 1000 meter Sprint LOL. Carry only a cheap Nokia and 20 k AR. But absolutely some sweet young SWs.

As for Hotel Ambatalook. Its for sure new. Belongs to a Chinese. When I was there some floors were a construction site. But sure. Brand new rooms. Expect prices to go up when the hotel is finished. I personally don't like concrete bunkers which have to be cooled down by AC though. No toilet seats. LOL. No water is a lot worse for the seasoned Africa Traveller...

La Buse.

Who doesn't need AC in Antsirabe.

[Golfinho]

Think this is the same gym NME is referring to. If you stand with your back to Manson walk down the street 150 metres.
A pity Tana is so dangerous at night. If you walk a bit around Sole Hotel you will notice the whole area is full of SW's after nightfall. You have to be discriminate though. Some of them are clearly in need of medical attention. In some other cases the difference between a club girl and a street girl is just a wig and high heels in my opinion. I think I would dare to cruise the area until 21-22 o clock but not later than that.
TP.

Totally different gym: Tamboho suites overlooks Ambohijatovo Garden where the good gym is.

If the street girl puts on a wig and make-up and pays the cover for LE Glacier, she's dressing up for her date! Surely that merits paying double, otherwise true: there is little difference in most cases.

Why walk these areas at night? Between the police or whatever else, you don't need the aggravation.

[Member #4673]

Arrived in Nosy Be this morning.
TP.

Opposite Taxi be 50 m up the dirt road you will see the GYM but now in a bad condition. Let me know if you find better one then that.

[TailPipe]

Gym: across the street from Tamboho Suites.

Think this is the same gym NME is referring to. If you stand with your back to Manson walk down the street 150 metres.

A pity Tana is so dangerous at night. If you walk a bit around Sole Hotel you will notice the whole area is full of SW's after nightfall. You have to be discriminate though. Some of them are clearly in need of medical attention. In some other cases the difference between a club girl and a street girl is just a wig and high heels in my opinion. I think I would dare to cruise the area until 21-22 o clock but not later than that.

Arrived in Nosy Be this morning. Did some budget hotel hunting this afternoon. Visited La Caravelle 60 k+, Coucher du Soleil 80 k+, Ody 60 k+, Barracuda and hotel Ambatoloaka 60 k+.

The absolute best of the whole lot was undoutably Hotel Ambatoloaka. It's a new hotel and they are offering discounts to attract customers. You can find pictures online but don't book through the websites, contact the hotel directly. Prices start at 60 k for a room with mountain view, 72 k for a room with sea view and add about 35 k more for air conditionting. I reserved a room with mountain view for tomorrow (no direct sunlight, less heat). FYI: no toilet seats.

TP.

[Chris P]

Expert go to the gym opposite Manson. Around here https://goo.gl/maps/hnfq8pNUEf5ppgG4A.

Forget what google map show its there. Not the best but OK many girls there. 100 m from manson.

Is there a decent gym / health club in ambatoloaka which does monthly membership?

[Neddy69]

You said 2 k in your last post. Did you manage to go 500?

No. That's NMExpert price only. Not even a local pays 500. But outside city center for less than 500 meters maybe. But I paid a 1000. But from Mirana to Diamant its 2000.

La Buse.