Madagascar

[Neddy69]

You're talking out your at $$. The tunnel in Tana was teargassed. Shops closed. Curfew and strike and everything closed in Toliara. No problem so long as you stocked up on water and liquids. Between now and election aftermath, they'll be good days, they'll be bad days, and some inconvenience. Go and then you can regale this board with tales of your heroics.

Don't worry about me. I've been in election periods twice in Madagascar. Twice in Kenya. Once in Tanzania. And in Gambia when Jammeh was deposed. Yes. I agree stock up on water and food. Don't leave your hotel room unless absolutely necessary. Of course all joints shops etc. Will be closed. Avoid the central area around Rue independence and the presidents palace you'll be ok. No need to fear monger and exaggerate. Elections are what they are. Stay away from demonstrations. Will I be in Madagascar. No. But know people who live there. So I know exactly what's going on.

La Buse.

[Golfinho]

So Golfinho figures I am heading into a war zone and will be killed if I take to the road. Neddy figures all will be fine and there is not much to worry about. I have no idea how things will turn out but I guess I am going to find out. Unless Golfinho is on the ground right now how would he know all the girls from Toliara are leaving. Are you? If that is indeed the case it may make it worthwhile to head there, which after last years dustbowl experience I wasn't going to bother with this time around. And yes I could fly almost immediately but that was not my plan and I am not likely to change it unless I hear dire reports of fighting etc. Before I arrive.

Is there anyone on the ground right now who has a feel for the current vibe and potential risk or lack thereof?

Don't worry yourself precious. Toliara is the same old, dusty flyblown town as devoid as always. Plane down was full of geriatric French tourists, but they'll be staying at French / Italian owned hostelry for sleeping and eating and drinking and won't be affected by the strike. Girls go away to Tana and Nosy where their parents and family won't see them cavorting with geriatric vazaha. Of course, it's an open secret where the remittances are coming from, but it's sight unseen and fady to talk about it. Back home in Toliara and hunting you? Some desperate as always, but no bonanza to get yourself excited about.

When your plan is a cheaply-as-possible sex holiday, you don't need to change nothing. Just keep stocked up on water. And shell out for data plan on your SIM card and you're good to go.

[Golfinho]

Relax. There was nothing so far. The opposition candidates planned a demonstration at rue independence. But that already has been thwarted by police. I'm not scaremongering. Mostly likely the DJ will be reelected. There's nobody on the horizon to stand up against him. Certainly not Marc. If you stay away from the Fokontany and the presidents palace you should be good to go. Election is scheduled for the 9 the November. I've nothing heard of people getting killed. Maybe in the Slums. All candidates got one million euros each to keep the peace for election expenses and the requisite chopper rental from south Africa.

La Buse.

In the provinces you should be safe (r). Unless the poor decide to use the opportunity to rob some Karane off their sacks of rice.

You're talking out your at $$. The tunnel in Tana was teargassed. Shops closed. Curfew and strike and everything closed in Toliara. No problem so long as you stocked up on water and liquids. Between now and election aftermath, they'll be good days, they'll be bad days, and some inconvenience. Go and then you can regale this board with tales of your heroics.

[Golfinho]

Why does it matter to you? It is their election not yours? They would not bother foreigners.

Are you really that clueless? Closed bars and curfews are what matter.

[SouthEaster]

Here's a weird one for you. Just for the hell of it I checked flights for the next few weeks from Tana to Tulear. Pretty expensive but available every day I could see. On the other hand the entire month of October flights are full in the other direction. Seem highly unlikely. If the government is behind it why would they care if a few backwater bums from tulear wanted to fly into Tana. Especially since hardly anybody there has the money to fly. Strange.

[SouthEaster]

So Golfinho figures I am heading into a war zone and will be killed if I take to the road. Neddy figures all will be fine and there is not much to worry about. I have no idea how things will turn out but I guess I am going to find out. Unless Golfinho is on the ground right now how would he know all the girls from Toliara are leaving. Are you? If that is indeed the case it may make it worthwhile to head there, which after last years dustbowl experience I wasn't going to bother with this time around. And yes I could fly almost immediately but that was not my plan and I am not likely to change it unless I hear dire reports of fighting etc. Before I arrive.

Is there anyone on the ground right now who has a feel for the current vibe and potential risk or lack thereof?

[Kako123]

All candidates got 1 million euros each from where or which country??

Relax. There was nothing so far. The opposition candidates planned a demonstration at rue independence. But that already has been thwarted by police. I'm not scaremongering. Mostly likely the DJ will be reelected. There's nobody on the horizon to stand up against him. Certainly not Marc. If you stay away from the Fokontany and the presidents palace you should be good to go. Election is scheduled for the 9 the November. I've nothing heard of people getting killed. Maybe in the Slums. All candidates got one million euros each to keep the peace for election expenses and the requisite chopper rental from south Africa.

La Buse.

In the provinces you should be safe (r). Unless the poor decide to use the opportunity to rob some Karane off their sacks of rice.

[Kako123]

So you think that the comedian DJ will be reelected. I certainly think the same as well. Haha.

Relax. There was nothing so far. The opposition candidates planned a demonstration at rue independence. But that already has been thwarted by police. I'm not scaremongering. Mostly likely the DJ will be reelected. There's nobody on the horizon to stand up against him. Certainly not Marc. If you stay away from the Fokontany and the presidents palace you should be good to go. Election is scheduled for the 9 the November. I've nothing heard of people getting killed. Maybe in the Slums. All candidates got one million euros each to keep the peace for election expenses and the requisite chopper rental from south Africa.

La Buse.

In the provinces you should be safe (r). Unless the poor decide to use the opportunity to rob some Karane off their sacks of rice.

[Kako123]

Why does it matter to you? It is their election not yours? They would not bother foreigners.

Things are already nasty, and it's just starting. You should have known this. Always happens with elections in Africa and this country is no exception. Taking to the roads on public transit would be stupid. Going to Tana out of the question. Even with teargas mask, there's still curfew. Toliara girls have gotten the hell out and gone home. Cotisse would be full if they're still running. If you're too cheap to fly, hire an SUV at the airport and maybe he'll take you to Majunga.

[Tinte]

I do hope the new one does it in the first round and things calm down after.

Since the security is always to bee considered, I guess criminals will always take advantage of a instabel situation like riots etc.

[Golfinho]

Son of a *****. No idea this was coming up. And I arrive in 2 weeks! Guess I better keep my head down. I think I will take a taxi straight from Ivato to Cotisse and book something out the following day if things get nasty.

Things are already nasty, and it's just starting. You should have known this. Always happens with elections in Africa and this country is no exception. Taking to the roads on public transit would be stupid. Going to Tana out of the question. Even with teargas mask, there's still curfew. Toliara girls have gotten the hell out and gone home. Cotisse would be full if they're still running. If you're too cheap to fly, hire an SUV at the airport and maybe he'll take you to Majunga.

[Kako123]

Why would you worry about elections? Who cares.

Son of a *****. No idea this was coming up. And I arrive in 2 weeks! Guess I better keep my head down. I think I will take a taxi straight from Ivato to Cotisse and book something out the following day if things get nasty.

[Neddy69]

Son of a *****. No idea this was coming up. And I arrive in 2 weeks! Guess I better keep my head down. I think I will take a taxi straight from Ivato to Cotisse and book something out the following day if things get nasty.

Relax. There was nothing so far. The opposition candidates planned a demonstration at rue independence. But that already has been thwarted by police. I'm not scaremongering. Mostly likely the DJ will be reelected. There's nobody on the horizon to stand up against him. Certainly not Marc. If you stay away from the Fokontany and the presidents palace you should be good to go. Election is scheduled for the 9 the November. I've nothing heard of people getting killed. Maybe in the Slums. All candidates got one million euros each to keep the peace for election expenses and the requisite chopper rental from south Africa.

La Buse.

In the provinces you should be safe (r). Unless the poor decide to use the opportunity to rob some Karane off their sacks of rice.

[SouthEaster]

Son of a *****. No idea this was coming up. And I arrive in 2 weeks! Guess I better keep my head down. I think I will take a taxi straight from Ivato to Cotisse and book something out the following day if things get nasty.

[Neddy69]

I want to book a trip with Cotisse before I arrive but it seems that the only online options to pay are Mvola and Orange money. If you get to the payment page they actually have a credit card service charge tacked on to the price, but no CC option appears on the page. Anyone?

I don't think you can pay with CC. I always paid cash. Of course you can pay with mvola. Reservation is not an issue as I'm time millionaire. As far as I know a lot of malagasy reserve by phone. If I go a few days earlier or later doesn't matter to me. Now with the town office in Tripolitsa it's very convenient to book there. But there's a good alternative now not on all routes. It's Soatrans. They have new VW Crafter Busses. If you go to Fianarantsoa or Tamatave they're a good alternative. I wanted to try them out from Fianar to Tana. But. They were fully booked. As the president was in town last June. So I ended up with Cotisse which was okish.

La Buse.