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Madagascar Travel Blogs

Background: Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896, but regained its independence in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held, ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, was returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In April 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner.

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By Geoff n Lexa
November 13th 2006

Party night - part two Africa » Madagascar

Superhero night!
From top left to bottom right: Jungle-speed man, Braveheart, Gandalf, Canadian drinking team, Sea-cucumber girl, Bolo-boy, Metrosexual, GI-Geoff, Scarey-aqua-boy, Princess Leia, Protection girl, Jesu... [more]

Yes that time again, another collection of shots from several debaucherous (sp?) party nights. Just to explain an event called Tai Be accompanied every party night - I could explain what Tai Be (pronounced Thai Bay) means but it's rude and there may be children reading. This involved people being nominated for that weeks most embarassing act and after voting the chosen victim had to perform a drinking test in the form of a beer through a snorkel... The original was bad enough, but the Darth Vader (aka Tai Bader) mask was just evil, delivering the beer at a far greater [View Full Entry]

By Geoff n Lexa
November 13th 2006

Blue Ventures Open Day Africa » Madagascar

Competition from local photographers

To keep the locals up to speed with what BV are doing they hold an open day every 6 months and invite everyone to visit and learn about what the strange westerners spend all their time doing! Well, I think they learnt something - we certainly all had a lot of fun! Geoff organised a beach clean up (and boy did it need it) and thankfully nobody got Hep A, B or dysentry from the experience although it was a distinct possibility. Lexa arranged a sandcastle competition producing her trademark dragon to get the ideas flowing, although the locals hardly needed [View Full Entry]

By Geoff n Lexa
November 13th 2006

It's all over Africa » Madagascar

Space cadet

And so we left Andavadoake - 6 weeks of highs and lows, I think the first shot of me shows what state I was in.... So on my 37th birthday (yes I know I don't look it) we loaded ourselves into a truck for a 12 hour off-road drive south back to Tulear and relative civilisation. We got to Tulear around midnight I think and crashed. The group stayed there for a couple of days before heading in our different directions, many straight home, others to see a bit of Madagascar. Thanks again to all those that supported us financially and [View Full Entry]

By Geoff n Lexa
November 13th 2006

Tsiribhina River Trip Africa » Madagascar

Map of the Tsiribhina river trip

After Toliara we travelled up to Miandravazo - the centre of Madagascar and famed for being the hottest place and rightly so. From there we took a dugout canoe for a 3 day/150km paddle down the Tsiribhina River. The trip included getting very hot, getting sore bums, seeing a crocodile on a rope, plenty of birdlife, lots of paddling by Mana and a little paddling by Stephenson our guide at the front. The water quality left something to be desired as it was obviously the sanitation facilities for the locals. We're pretty sure it was this water that was the source [View Full Entry]

By Geoff n Lexa
November 6th 2006

Andavadoake and beyond Africa » Madagascar

Sunrise over Andavadoake beach

A glimpse of Andavadoake village itself (about half a mile from our huts) and the 'northern beaches' close by. [View Full Entry]

By Geoff n Lexa
November 6th 2006

Exploring local islands Africa » Madagascar

Picking up the president
Stopping off at a local village to get the president to guide us to a new dive site.

We ventured onto some of the beautiful islands around Andavadoake - with the approval of the local presidents of course.. This involved meeting each one and supplying various quantities of rum and sometimes cigarettes too! [View Full Entry]

By Geoff n Lexa
November 6th 2006

Diving part 2 Africa » Madagascar

Ride the mangrove swell dude!

As well as diving snorkelling was a popular past time, including a trip through the mangroves at high speed on the incoming tide. Fantastic fun, but the crustaceans on the roots were a tad sharp though as you flew by! [View Full Entry]

By Geoff n Lexa
November 6th 2006

Diving part 1 Africa » Madagascar

Dive sites

I suppose we should mention the diving as that is why we went to Madagascar. It seems a long time ago as we write this from the back streets of Pahar Ganji, Delhi! [View Full Entry]

By Geoff n Lexa
November 6th 2006

Around camp Africa » Madagascar

Gill at the Chillout cafe

A few shots showing life around camp, including the hand-crafting of Andavanopoly by myself, Steve and Andy during a particularly rough few days! [View Full Entry]

By Geoff n Lexa
November 2nd 2006

Half moon home Africa » Madagascar

Aerial view of Andavadoake and Half Moon

So we arrived at Andavadoake and to be specific Half Moon Beach, our home for 6 weeks. Here's a few shots to give you a feel for the place. As we are so far behind and now writing this from India, I'm afraid the accompanying words are going to be sparse...but maybe that's a good thing! [View Full Entry]

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