Madagasgar
I visited last year and fell in love with these beautiful people and spectacular country
if you go the two places I recommend are these
Nosy Tsrabanjina:
Located some 40 miles from the port of Nosy Be, Tsarabanjina is a paradise of the Mitsio archipelago. With an area of 54 acres, this small island is just like an exotic garden surrounded by crystal clear waters and will seduce you with its dreamy environment and tropical charm. Nosy Tsarabanjina is a mountainous island, with extraordinary birds and lush vegetation, lined with white sand beaches and surrounded by a coral reef.
Tsarabanjina is an island to discover to the rhythm of nature. You can walk, climb the hills and get lost in the tangle of its lush vegetation. On the peninsula of the East Sea beach, you can find the tombs of sakalava kings of the Mitsio islands. Even today, residents of Mitsio believe this site to be sacred and frequently make offerings such as money, honey or rum. Facing Tsarabanjina, on the north-west side, there are the mythical rocks where there are a multitude of birds nest. They are famous for their scuba diving; around Nosy Tsarabanjina, the reef is the world's oldest and the richest on the planet. You can therefore go diving here, but also practice water skiing, wake boarding, and take catamaran trips to the islands Les Quatre Frères (four brothers).
ANJAJAVY
Anjajavy is 1.5 hours from Tananarive (435 miles), 30 minutes from Majenga (75 miles) and 50 minutes from Nosy Be (100 miles)In Anjajavy, you should not miss excursions in caves or tsingys, or walks through in the coves. The visit organised by the hotel will stop you close to a century old baobab, sacred to the people who live here, who regularly come to offer sacrifices of zebu.
Most of the tourists who travel to Anjajavy are those who are staying at the hotel Anjajavy, a Relais and Chateaux hotel, whose information you can read about on our site. Most get there by private jet.It is a unique place on more than one level, it has creeks with tsingys, remains of coral carved by erosion of thousands of years of rain and the majestic baobab seats, as well as the beach, the Indian Ocean and a very rich nature reserve. More than 1800 species of plants, mostly endemic, and many medicinal plants form the dry forest. The forest is home to many animal species including the famous Sifaka lemur, birds of paradise, different species of chameleon and Oplurus iguanas.
Once settled in the beautiful Relais and Chateaux of Anjajavy, you will find pleasure in discovering the garden of the 'The Oasis' hotel, bringing together all varieties of Madagascan vegetation.
In Tana I visited a women's embroidery co-operative, they created beautiful work.
You can find many high-quality handcrafted products such as embroidered tablecloths and blouses, silk weaving, cabinet making and marquetry, sculpted wood, leather craftsmanship, zebu-horn jewels, paper decorated with dried flowers, mohair carpets and miniature waste-material cars and planes. Minerals are chiselled for the famous solitaire game set. Products sent to shops and the three crafts markets of Tananarive come from the four corners of the island: Andravohangy (highly visited on Wednesday), Route-Digue, and 67 Hectares (where there are only chic products). Prices drop quite easily. Get green and black peppers, curry spices, vanilla, old rum and duck foie gras from the market. The law bans the exportation of crocodile-skin objects (except those sold with a farming certificate), some plants and all inherited objects (antiques, funeral carvings, aepyornis eggs). Shops open from Monday to Saturday 8:00am to 12:00pm and 2:00pm to 6:00pm.
