Radama Hotel Antananarivo

... got a rusty head from the rusty roof. The roads in Madagascar are mainly dirt roads with lots of pot holes and the further we went from fort dauphin the worse the road got, so by the end of the journey we were pleased to get off the cameon. <br><br>So we had finally arrived at what would be our new home for the majority of our time left.It was a bit more basic again from lanaranoo, we had drop toilets and we had to fetch water from the well and the water was sort of red ...

... only, so that the Visa sticker can be stuck into your document, an acknowledgment for other officials that the tax has been paid. The exchange took place amid shouting between 3 officials and much haste, no time to actually look in the passport and check it was mine!. Next, the queue "With Visa" - well after all we had just parted with a substantial amount of hard currency - Ar 150 000 - local equivalent. This queue was much slower, but eventually we ...

The view out of our bedroom is different in the morning: a lot of R4 taxis waiting for costumers an people hanging around in the park. But we have an appointment at 10h. at the hotel Colbert. For a sauna, spa, Turkish bath, swimming pool and beauty treatment. The last for me. What do you mean: is this all we can think of while in Madagascar? It is in our 'lonely planet' guide in the top 5 things to do!!! I loooooove the whole experience. Hubby ...

... carts, women carrying children on their backs held in place with a sarong or threadbare blanket. Then all of a sudden a very modern, western style, clean, Total fuel garage would appear like a bright iceberg amongst the chaos.<br><br>Tana, as Madagascar's capital city is known straddles 12 hills on a high plateau in the heart of the island. Antananarivo means 'City of the Thousand' supposedly because a thousand warriors protected it.<br> <br>We ...

Adverstising is probably the most important job in a major corporation. Slogans are the way we are introduced to a company, and more than often, it is what makes us choose one product over another. Companies know this, and are willing to pay to get the company gimmick perpetually playing in our subconcious. In 2006, McDonald's spent about 15% of their profit letting us know we were "lovin' it" (very creative, Justin ...

... We made it safely to Sakamanga, the guesthouse/hotel in Tana where we made our base. Very nice place, with a range of rooms and prices. Nice little cafe/pub, very good restaurant, and plenty of character, with little passages and steps and returns all over the place. Bit confusing to find your way around at first! There are lots of pictures, displays, artifacts and memorabilia from Madagascar along the corridors and in the rooms ...

... heavy wooden poles while turkeys eat up the chaff. Did my impression of Lenin{NOT John) so the kids would stop staring at me inside the tent. ; nbsp; On the 3rd day on the riiver we paddled for 4 hours, thus ending the river portion of the trip on the tsingy and Tsiribanha rivers. Oh my aching derriere. Then began a mini-adventure with me ...

... say "May I have a peach, please." Smart girl that one...;) We also received the memory card from Amy's camera in the mail, which is very exciting and has provided us a glimpse into what her daily life must be like. Pictures have been added to previous entries and will be updated within the coming weeks, so check back often! All our love, Merry Christmas, The VanC's bizjvc@hotmail.com (630) 209 - 4389

... 10,000 trees will be grown &amp; then distributed to the surrounding villages. So far we have cleared the land and turned a hillside into 3 level terraces. All accomplished through strenuous labor with 4 shovels, a pick-axe, a rake and the energy &amp; sweat of two small Malagasy farmers, Aaron &amp; I. In the States a job like this would be completed in a few days using heavy machinery. We have been working for several weeks (building muscles &amp; callouses), but love working ...

... here!) 25th September 2006 I'm off to work for Feedback ..... www.feedbackmadagascar.com This is my first blog... ever!!! I'm on the plane to Antananarivo from Paris. I hope my battery lasts long enough for me to come up with something good. I wasted lots at Chez Ma Belle Elyse playing with my camera uploading photos and now I'm down to about 40% which has to be rationed between the blog and most necessary i tunes. I rationalised in Paris that ...