Madagascar

[Vahaza Be]

Madagascar's customs include men giving gifts (kadoy kely or petit cadeau) to women for sexual favors. This is common practice even for Malagasy men (if they have a job) and is expected of vazaha (foreigners). People are very poor as a rule. The line is blurred pretty fast between pro and nonpro as a consequence. But there are plenty of harcore pros in the cities like Tana, with pro barflies and even streetwalkers (after dark in the Tsaralalana area of the capitol, close to the famous Indra club). The Glacier Hotel/Restaurant/Caberet is always a sure deal, and taxis are easy to be found for a quick escape just outside the entrance. There are often rastas from Toliary in the Glacier who can hook you up with local weed (rongony) if that's your thing -- mediocre and seedy, but very cheap (mora be). The better Tana pharmacies carry viagra and cialis, no prescription needed (but expensive).
Respect everyone, even the hustlers. Good karma is frequently rewarded in Madagascar.

[Trevor2522]

Does it mean that any lady in Africa is a "pro" just because she accept or ask for money? Any difference between a sex worker and a normal lady that take a gift?

In the Western countries which criminalize prostitution you can be prosecuted if they have evidence of monetary payment for sex, or even verbal negotiations. When you ask about streetwalker versus girlfriend in Africa it is such a grey area. Regarding the French documentary below, and those guys were really unlucky, it had the desired effect of frightening thousands more back home into not coming to Mada for sex. I got the impression from the police station interview that the cop was trying to determine if it was a case of straight monetary transaction or boyfriend & girlfriend. Stupidly, the Frenchie admitted to paying and that he had a girl back home! Never tell cops what they want to hear, ever, anywhere.

So, don't be paranoid guys.- just use common sense, and have access to a monetary reserve of a couple grand just in case the worse happens.

[Member #4178]

In my last trip I visit morandava, town without any "official" prostitutes but 100% of the "non-pro" (normal poor ladies) will take a gift or money.

This is the case in any african country. Does it mean that any lady in africa is a "pro" just because she a accept or ask for money?

Any difference between a sex worker and a normal lady that take a gift?

OK, its become confusing but my point is that no real prostitutes in small town.

Normal "google search" will correlate "sex tourism" to "children" But this is absolutely not relevant to us.

I think that in reality the will not deal with the standard definition for travelers looking for some action.

[Trevor2522]

for the "normal" sex tourist no laws against going out with adults ladies.

Unfortunately not since 14th January 2008 if you are giving 'financial benefits' to an adult prostitute. It could equally be applied to a girlfriend.

http://www.madaportal.com/Loi_sur_le...me_sexuel. Pdf

"Any person residing or traveling in Madagascar should be aware of the effective implementation of law 2007-038 of 14/01/2008, which states, inter alia, that "Sex tourism refers to a national or a foreigner travel for any reason whatsoever, and to have sex against remuneration or financial benefits with children and prostitutes themselves seeking sex to obtain any benefit "and is punishable by 5 to 10 years imprisonment and / or a fine of 4, 000, 000 Ar (1600 €) 20, 000, 000 Ar (8, 000 €)."

Several Frenchmen were arrested and jailed in Nosy Be during December 2008 whilst a French TV documentary crew were present. They foolishly incriminated themselves by admitting to having paid their over-18 *****s. It seems that some or all have been quietly released by now after having paid bribes. The sting was clearly a co-operation between French and Malagache authorities under the former president Ravalomanana to serve as a warning to foreign punters as well as bolstering a local leader on the wane.

Legally, it was not so different from many Western countries which also criminalize prostitution, except the guys suffered in a third-world jail and the punishment was not bail followed by a modest fine. Hopefully this was a one-off crackdown. The country is distracted by many other more-serious problems.

The already-low risk will be minimized by punting in the smaller towns rather than Tana or Nosy Be, but getting between them is either expensive by air, or slow by road. I would brief a girlfriend in advance how to speak in the case of a crackdown, but this is not really practical for one-night hookers.- you really don't want to be seen with them in public any more than is barely necessary.- a good punting rule worldwide.

[Member #4178]

This important laws are against women and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation.

http://www.antananarivo.usembassy.go...-ENG-Final.pdf

for the "normal" sex tourist no laws against going out with adults ladies.

[Member #4366]

Thanks for the update, guys! It would have been better if the new government had changed that stupid law all together but I suppose that this would be a "loss of face" for the country. Anyway, if this law is not enforced anymore, it seems safe to go back to Mada for mongering. Avoiding Nosy Be is a good advice though! The TF1 guys might come back for a repeat visit (although I think that the local authorities would be reluctant to let them damage the reputation of the country even further).

[Trevor2522]

THAT French documentary on sex tourism in Nosy Be (January 2009) (In 9 Parts) ... sorry no subtitles, but you get the picture ...

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x83...me-s-a-ma_news

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance...me-s-a-ma_news

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance...me-s-a-ma_news

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance...me-s-a-ma_news

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance...me-s-a-ma_news

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance...me-s-a-ma_news

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance...me-s-a-ma_news

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance...me-s-a-ma_news

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance...me-s-a-ma_news

At the end one French punter (who was arrested in Nosy Be for paying an adult) admits to having spent €uro 1,000 -2,000 in bribes to secure his release. So not the end of the world (cheap by comparison with current Thai airport and Angeles City, P.I. scams) but an irritating reminder of a very stupid law which can be invoked when the politicoes want to rattle their sabres.

Sex in Madagascar (Humorous Rasta Music Video by a French-Arab)

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

Nosy Be Report on TV : People & Power (Al Jazeera, December 2008) ...

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF3g4...layer_embedded

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W5A3...layer_embedded

Business & Tourism in Madagascar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9YVs...eature=related

[Vahaza Be]

that is what i would like to know as well. has anyone been there since the end of last year? if so, did you find the situation improved? i don't think anyone of us would like to join those poor mongers in their nosy-be prison. i do hope that they have been released by now.

there is no law in the north at the moment!
to the east, masoala rainforest area is being raped of hardwood by the chinese mafia.
commerical sex is a rather low priority for the authorities these days.
(of course, there is always the chance of being shaken down for a small kadoy kely (=cadeau or "gift") by a drunken gendarme or policeman if your companion has no id). many new prostitutes in the ne. prices are higher for everything.
and ask for id in advance if you're unsure of the age of your new friend(s).

[TigeDeJade]

That is what I would like to know as well. Has anyone been there since the end of last year? If so, did you find the situation improved? I don't think anyone of us would like to join those poor mongers in their Nosy-Be prison. I do hope that they have been released by now.

Problems of last year were under President RAVALOMANANA rule (who initiated the stupid law). However the law was applauded by people of certain embassies.

The enforcement of the law happened only in NOSY BE for very specific reasons: a French TV report on sexual tourism in NOSY BE which was organised in liaison with an ONG lady. Accordingly, the authority had to react to "clean" the reputation of MADAGASCAR, and made "examples" to bring strong images of dissuasion in the TV report (view of guy questioned by the police; girls questioned; food strike of a prisoner.) and the result of great fear was obtained.

However, the TV document ended by views of LE GLACIER in TANA, with the comment. "in the meantime it is continuing in the capital".

In fact this horrible situation happened only in NOSY-BE and only in this TV context.

Local fair observers observed that the stupid law of RAVALOMANANA was just a way to give to the police more means to have money by fear of jail.

In the meantime time has passed. Bloody riots happened in January/February; RAVALOMANANA was obliged to leave for exile in SOUTH AFRICA; there has been a dramatic drop in tourism (not only sexual) and the interim authority (RAJOELINA) decided around April to get free all visas for tourists less than one month (visa initially around 20 USD; increased by RAVALOMANANA to 100 USD in January) As all international lenders stopped to bring money since February; and tourism quite dead; the stupid law was forgotten. As already unknown everywhere. And MADA people, very tolerant, perfectly know that it is mandatory to have this additional fuel of money for fighting against poverty.

As I said, this law has never been enforced except in NOSY BE in the TV context, the serious principle to check ID by hotels remains the rule to avoid minors' prostitution and that is widely supported by the society. Having in mind that there was already a foggy situation: legal majority being 21 in MADA, but sex majority for ID check at 18.

Based on phone conversation everything is as in good all times.

However, I strongly suggest to avoid NOSY BE (and hotels are more expansive than anywhere in MADA.)

I have the private info, that one of the guy who was hooked by the police in NOSY BE. Has decided to go soon again to MADA as he considers that as a bad souvenir.

Myself I decided trip to MADA next November. But no intention to go to NOSY BE.

A more preoccupying question is physical safety now, especially in TANA, and especially by night. I usually walked near hot spots freely. Probably this time I shall systematically use taxis and it is my main fear.

An answer to that (and I have not yet planned the detail of my trip, only bought cheap international ticket) is to take immediately a conection flight at IVATO Airport to provincial towns.

For memory AIR MAD OFFERS 30% discount on domestic flights bought with the international ticket from Europe (and 20% from MAURITIUS)

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would suggest that the author or another Forum Member consider posting a link to this report in the Reports of Distinction thread. Please Click Here for more information.

[Member #4366]

Can anyone tell me what is about the anti prostitution law, is it enforced?

Or the law is simply ignored with the new governement.

That is what I would like to know as well. Has anyone been there since the end of last year? If so, did you find the situation improved? I don't think anyone of us would like to join those poor mongers in their Nosy-Be prison. I do hope that they have been released by now.

[Shy Sky]

Thanks all, helpful kickstart.

I can say that I see a nice tourist spot to visit in the last "map". You got the idea. Just the same on a beach and Mada has won my tourist money.

[Member #4178]

The world second best sex destination after Mombasa.

In Morondava you can get some stunning Lulita's with brown smooth skin.

I am planing to travel back soon.

[Trevor2522]

Can anyone point me to a nice map with the mainstream places to visit in evidence?

http://i244.***********.com/albums/g...leEarthGGC.jpg

http://i244.***********.com/albums/g...oogleEarth.jpg

http://www.southafrica-euroafrotrave...madagascar.gif

Download Google Earth & Fly Around Yourself!
http://earth.google.com/download-earth.html

[Shy Sky]

Can anyone point me to a nice map with the mainstream places to visit in evidence?

(mongering and sunny beaches the themes, I don't mind if they are areas frequented by tourists, perhaps it's even better, it would make easier to arrange a travel)

Mada is so big, and names of places here are confusing for a newbie. I looked in googlemap for places mentioned in the isle of Nosy Be, but wasn't able to find them, perhaps they were minor places, far from international tourism spots.

Just to show how much newbie I am, even a general direction "West coast north is better then east coast south" would help, if there aren't maps at hand.

Thanks in advance.

[Vahaza Be]

Misaotra Ti!

Brings back wonderful memories of Morondava. Keep digging out your archives and keep the stories and pics coming, please.

V_be