"Amazing and unforgettable Madagascar" Madagascar by ATLC

Country of extremes. We were visiting a club in Madagascar. These 30-odd young Malagasy women did everything to make our visit a most special one.
So besides sampling the wonderful country, we had a unique opportunity to see Malagasy life from the inside. It also meant that we missed out on some obvious touristy things, but I wouldn't have missed this for the world.

There is an enormous gap between poor and rich in Madagascar. Experienced both: from a small village near Tuléar, where there's illness and desperate poverty, to dinner at the president's palace where everything's designed to make you feel small. From a visit to a children's hospital where there's not even respiratory equipment and children die of cholera to a lunch in one of Tana's finest hotels with French cuisine (though not the prices).
Been driven round in creaking taxi brousse which stopped every few miles because of leaking water and gas, but also in the newest 4x4's with chauffeur. Wandered along empty beaches and stayed in houses built like forts with steel doors and armed guards. Gaped at the thousands of tiny stalls that carry the names of their products: sausages and meat, fruits and veggies, fish, all kept in the warm climate. A veritable health hazard for the European! The fortunate Malagasy buy all their clothes and jewelry, the newest models of mobile phones and cars in Paris and get their groceries in huge, well-stocked supermarkets.

But who's to judge? In this complex society it isn't easy to decide where to start improving things. Madagascar imports more than it exports. Only 4% of its 15.5 million population works for a salary.

For a Westerner a lot of things are incomprehensible in this country. Ladies' Circle Madagascar makes a difference by supporting various projects. A delegation of French and Dutch Circlers saw it all. An impression of the various aspects of this journey can be had in the Madagascar Travelogue.

Many more travel stories and photo's in the travelogues and tips!

Please take care to also read the Warnings and Dangers Tips to help you have a safe, healthy and unforgettable stay in Madagascar.

MADAGASCAR CHILDREN

They needed just the tiniest encouragement to break into dancing and singing. While their mothers did the Sunday laundry at a nearby waterplace.

In this picture we see the poorest people of Madagascar. People that live simple lives but always in danger of sickness and malnourishment. On our visit we brought goods and money to help.

In the next picture we're invited to dinner by the then president of Madagascar at his palace.
I deeply felt the culture shock.

MADAGASCAR PRESIDENT'S PALACE

This is not so much a travel warning (and certainly not a political statement), but an expression of compassion with this beautiful country and its kind people.

On 7 September 2002, I said goodbye to a friend from Madagascar who came to visit.
She confirmed again that many people from Madagascar are now living abroad (mostly in France) due to the changed situation.

What happened in the recent months?
Presidential elections in December 2001 came out with an unresolved result. Another election was held and president Ratsiraka had to admit to defeat in favour of the businessman Marc Ravalomanana.

I received e-mails from my native friends in Madagascar, expressing their worry and telling about the current situation. Some of my friends have gone to France. But all of them say they're troubled but keep smiling!

On 27nd of Febr. there was more distressing news as it seems there were irregularities in the capital Antananarivo. The death toll was 26.
For a few weeks there were two presidents and two governments as the current one (Didier Ratsiraka) refused to step down and moved his government to Tamatave, a provincial city and the main harbour of Madagascar. The other candidate (Marc Ravalomanana) proclaimed himself president and set up government in Antananarivo. For the time being the army remained relatively neutral.

The capital city Antananarivo was blockaded and shut off for new supplies coming in. People tried to stock up and fuel almost ran out.

Currently, the international community seems to have accepted the new president of Madagascar as the official representative of his country. Ex-president Ratsiraka has left the country and now lives in France.


Read more on:
www.madagascarnet.com

• Pros:Unique nature, kind people, very diverse
• Cons:Very poor country. Not for the luxury traveller
• In a nutshell:http://www.getawaytoafrica.com/content/countries/Madagascar/index.asp