On the Road North…
One of the most incredible features of this country are the drastic transformations the landscape, culture, people, and everything undergo in just a few hundred kilometers. Driving north from Madagascar’s capital, the rolling highlands and boulder dotted landscape gradually give way to forests of palm trees, thatch-roofed huts, bursts of tropical vegetation, and eventually, beach. A few hours into the drive I stop seeing the Asian-featured Merina tribe of the highlands, bundled in sweaters and conservative dress. Instead the women walking next to the road casually drape themselves with loose-fitting lamba, or sarong-like pieces of cloth while their children run around naked or in nothing but their underwear. By the time we reach Mevatanana, it has become far too hot for anyone to wear much more than that. Fruits become more tropical, and at some point I notice the large grass-woven baskets of mangoes, coconuts, and bananas women are carrying on their heads and salivatingly begin to daydream of sipping coconut juice on the beach.
After twelve hours on a bus, we arrived in the muggy, coastal city of Mahajunga, greeted with a cityscape of mosques, a roundabout with one of the widest baobab trees in Madagascar, and a salty ocean breeze.
Petite Plage and Cirque Rouge
On our first morning, we took a taxi-be, or bus, (500 Ariary; 20 minutes) from outside the Hotel de Ville towards la petite plage to lounge around in the ocean. As soon as we arrived, we headed to a French-run restaurant on the beach for beers and freshly caught shrimp the size of my hand. While we waited for our food, a couple of children amused themselves by posing for photos for me and shrieking with laughter as they competed to see how ridiculous they could make their faces. After lunch, we hiked for far too long to see the cirque rouge. However exhausting, meandering around the towering, red rocks made the hours-long trek along the beach worth it.
Returning back from the Cirque Rouge, the two friends I had trailed off with and I re-discovered the rest of our group (who had given up on the walk to cirque rouge) splashing in the waves and making friends with yet another French restaurant owner. Totally unanxious to return to the bustle of Mahajunga’s city center, we hunkered down with a couple of frosty beers again and watched the sun set. From the wooden patio, we could spot groups of local fishermen pulling in their sailboats full of the day’s catch. Chickens and dogs roamed the beach as the fishermen worked, making the beach feel more like an extension of everyday life than an exotic getaway.
Fin.
I will!
The beaches in the south around Fort Dauphin are lovely too – see my picture on the Solo Traveller page on my site.
http://tipsfortravellers.wordpress.com/traveller-traveler/solo-travel/
Posted by tipsfortravellers | February 12, 2012, 11:36beautiful! hope I can make it there someday. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by soyouwanna | January 23, 2012, 18:28Amazingly beautiful light in those shots of the boats
Posted by rohanlewis | January 18, 2012, 20:17That is extremely beautiful! Hopefully Jake can travel their sometime soon. :)
http://jaketravellingtheworld.wordpress.com/
Posted by jaketravellingtheworld | January 16, 2012, 10:03Madagascar is an amazing place – my plan is to return later this year. I go back to the southern part of the country again – visiting with my friends at alefamadagascar.wordpress.com
(A couple of the shots on my site were taken in Madagascar – a couple of the beaches)
Posted by tipsfortravellers | January 17, 2012, 13:36Very cool, be sure to say hello if you really do make your way back here.
Posted by beatnomad | February 2, 2012, 03:38The smile of the kids are priceless!
Posted by rainbow painter | January 11, 2012, 19:17Madagascar is one of the greatest place for animal lovers. have you seen those great lemurs?
Posted by Amit | January 11, 2012, 06:45Inspiring and colorful photographs!
Posted by leahgraceobrien | January 10, 2012, 09:40The shrimps look amazing!
Posted by different types of stirrups | January 10, 2012, 09:06They were ;D
Posted by beatnomad | January 19, 2012, 06:16Nice post, nice pics, nice food, nice coastal, :D
Really enjoyable to see these beautiful pics. Thx for your sharing.
Posted by John Cho | January 10, 2012, 00:45Any time, John. Hope you can venture over here sometime.
Posted by beatnomad | January 19, 2012, 06:16Thanks for letting us travel along with you. Great photos and travelogue!
Posted by Dena Weigel Bell | January 9, 2012, 22:25Those are so good! Great post and sensational photos!!
Posted by That EJ | January 9, 2012, 21:22These pictures are just amazing! Your description of the transformation of the people along your route is incredible – I can hardly imagine that kind of diversity. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Moving Mama | January 9, 2012, 17:46Great bolg and these photos are amazing!
Posted by mexicrave | January 9, 2012, 16:46i like your eye on people,.. it gives the photo its natural sense and it looks so alive,..
Posted by maskoman | January 9, 2012, 15:23It looks sooo nice and warm there. Why am I currently in a desert in Africa and freezing??! :P Also, love the boat pics!
Posted by mem | January 9, 2012, 14:10I like to move it, move it!!!!!
Posted by Sisterhood of the Traveling Military Pants | January 9, 2012, 13:11I LOOOOVE the photo of the two kids!!! I really do.
Posted by Emily He | January 9, 2012, 09:39Nice photos. Makes me want to go there… But alas, I wanted to go there anyway. Happy travels…
Posted by patryantravels | January 9, 2012, 09:31These are beautiful photos…
Posted by myzuriart | January 9, 2012, 09:20Lived in Madagascar as a kid- looking forward to more pictures!
Posted by MiriamZambranoRD | January 9, 2012, 09:12That last shot is sooo cool!
Posted by The Hook | January 9, 2012, 08:34My daughter is OBSESSED with lemurs and Madagascar wildlife (except for fossas:). Her dream is to work as an animal scientist in Madagascar- I can’t wait to show her your pictures!
Posted by kidworldcitizen | January 9, 2012, 07:45great photos!
Posted by madisoncary | January 9, 2012, 07:05Hi!,nice to see a “vazaha” blogging on Madagascar. I´m glad you´re enjoying it there. Next time I´ll go to Majunga too. Veloma !
Posted by madakanto | January 9, 2012, 06:22Gorgeous photos. And those kids are so cute. I don’t eat seafood, but that food looks delicious and so fresh.
Posted by moderatechristian | January 9, 2012, 01:35Very common and natural photographs. I love the way of your photography.
Posted by Rosy | January 8, 2012, 23:50Yes, natural place, natural smiling and natural photographs.
Posted by lelesurabayamadura | January 9, 2012, 00:06nice place…..
Posted by another side of indonesia | January 8, 2012, 22:43nice place, nice people,
Posted by another side of indonesia | January 8, 2012, 22:33perfect post…like it
Posted by handcraftedsoap | January 8, 2012, 19:38lovely! the pics are great!
Posted by Somesh Mahanty | January 8, 2012, 19:19i love your blog especially the pics which really portrays a lot
Posted by boyalasco | January 8, 2012, 19:10The look of the face of those kids was priceless. Lovely pics. Must hav been a wonderful exp.
Posted by shil | January 8, 2012, 18:43wonderful photographs! Go on.
Posted by keshavdubey | January 8, 2012, 16:33Amazing experience you are having! Enjoy!
Posted by sobeit | January 8, 2012, 15:48Great photos. They reminded me of a trip I took to Thailand. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Honie Briggs | January 8, 2012, 15:29stunning- cute kids
Posted by framethem | January 8, 2012, 13:53Looks fantastic! Thank you for the pictures, amazing. Hoping to visit Madagascar one day!
Posted by Nathan Evans | January 8, 2012, 13:06A Freshly Pressed that truly warmed my heart. How so? Those beautiful smiles on those children’s faces. Congrats on FP. Madagascar was a place that was on the list of places to go but closer to the bottom. It has moved up a few slots.
-Sunny
Posted by GoodbyeNavi | January 8, 2012, 12:19We live in Madagascar, but are visiting South Africa at the moment and stumbled on your blog. The photo’s are stunning and reminded us of home.
Posted by lynettemadanews | January 8, 2012, 11:56Great pics! Thanks for sharing your travels with us!
Posted by Pamanner | January 8, 2012, 11:50See the world while you’re able to do so, because it is difficult to escape from the prison planet! Thanks for sharing Madagascar with us! http://www.blogpilgrim.wordpress.com
Posted by blogpilgrim | January 8, 2012, 10:35wonderful
http://www.alasifpackages.com/
Posted by backlinkspoint | January 8, 2012, 10:13Great post about a little known destination!
- Courtney Mara
http://CourtneyMara.com
Posted by Courtney Mara | January 8, 2012, 09:40Those are splendid photographs! You are one lucky person to have gone there!
Posted by Ryan | January 8, 2012, 09:40I always love when photography makes me smile.
Posted by UrbanJungleFashion | January 8, 2012, 09:39Thank you for sharing. The photographs are especially amazing – you have a wonderful eye!
Posted by taraerin | January 8, 2012, 08:36Wow! Beautiful photos and country.
Posted by Joe Labriola | January 8, 2012, 08:15Amazing photography! I went to Madagascar a couple of years ago, it’s such a beautiful and colourful country…
Posted by V | January 8, 2012, 07:47Great post and nice photos, enjoyed reading it.
Posted by Chaks | January 8, 2012, 07:37What great shots! I felt as though I was there, walking in the sand, playing with the children. Thanks for bringing such beauty to my day.
Posted by seekingmonsieur | January 8, 2012, 07:19The last one is Excellent ! Amazing photography :)
Those colors pull me into them .. wow :)
Posted by srinivasan | January 8, 2012, 04:57Madagascar….a place I have dreamed of visiting. The photo of the two children and the one of the boot are my favorites…
The shrimp looks delectable!!!
Did you catch any photos of insects, birds, flora? If so, please share. Thanks a bunch!
Posted by whenquiet | January 8, 2012, 04:07Thats so lovely, i need to go there one day!
Posted by miihasphoto | January 8, 2012, 03:56Wonderful images and wonderful travel! You’ve captured some of life’s small, but infinitely bright moments here. Great work and all the best in the future!
Posted by everyonelovesacookie | January 8, 2012, 02:30Hey your photos are really beautiful.
Greetings from A Going To Be Nomad..
Posted by Konarak | January 8, 2012, 00:49Your photos are really beautiful. Happy Travelling.
Greetings from a Going To Be Nomad.
Posted by Konarak | January 8, 2012, 00:47i love your postcard-like photos.. nice shots.
Posted by starlight | January 7, 2012, 22:22Excellent photography! I love the richness of color, and the shadows, especially in the last ones…
:)
Posted by shnapshooter | January 7, 2012, 21:06Amazing Experience and Tripp..Wish I could get it someday…Greetings from Indonesia….Firmansyah SW.
Posted by Firmansyah SW | January 7, 2012, 20:25Thanks for the beauty photos and for sharing your journey.
Posted by aFrankAngle | January 7, 2012, 17:14Wow Fantastic
Posted by mico santos | January 7, 2012, 17:12Seeing those photos makes me wanna throw on my backpack and hit the road. What the f— am I doing in NYC?! You go, dude!
Posted by lipstickandplaydates | January 7, 2012, 16:43No matter how fantastic NYC may be, I fully encourage throwing on the pack again.
Posted by beatnomad | January 7, 2012, 20:28Love it. Beautiful pictures.
Posted by Mohammad Hanafi | January 7, 2012, 15:50Beautiful photos … I love your eye for people and places ! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed – hope to see you out on the road sometime!
Posted by Betty Londergan | January 7, 2012, 14:43Thanks Betty, it’s been pretty exciting.
Posted by beatnomad | January 7, 2012, 20:29Wow great pictueres i also really like the way thw light comes in. Nice!
Posted by wordsandtheworld | January 7, 2012, 13:30Nice pictures!
Posted by Shelly Liu Photography | January 7, 2012, 13:05Love it.
Posted by gordonmichaelsutton | January 7, 2012, 12:21Awesome photos and scenes!
Posted by chasingtimemedia | January 7, 2012, 12:13Great post, love the photos
Posted by oliverjohn | January 7, 2012, 10:56Gorgeous photos! Madagascar now officially goes on the list of countries I need to get to. Thanks for sharing.
Happy New Year,
Jess
Posted by jessinbelgium | January 7, 2012, 10:37Thanks Jess, Madagascar is such a welcoming and beautiful country to travel around. It’d be super if you ever make it down here!
Posted by beatnomad | January 7, 2012, 20:31What beautiful photos – it made me really miss Madagascar, the people, the ocean and the pirogues.
Posted by Ruth Rosselson | January 7, 2012, 10:13Thanks Ruth, I know in about 2 years I’ll be in the same boat. It’s truly a wonderful country to live in… mahatamana.
Posted by beatnomad | January 7, 2012, 20:32I love the picture of the kiddos!
Posted by Magnet for Foolishness | January 7, 2012, 10:00Love the boat shots, and the photo of those kids is absolutely priceless. My dream is to go to Madagascar someday. Glad I found you in Freshly Pressed!
Posted by Kara | January 7, 2012, 09:11Glad these little kiddos made it to FP! I hope you do make it down here some day :)
Posted by beatnomad | January 7, 2012, 20:33Awesome shots! Really adorable kids and I love the shots by the shore! :)
Posted by Grace Cadenilla | January 7, 2012, 08:10LOve the picture of the children so much.. their expression is wonderful!!
Posted by indonesiabestplaces | January 7, 2012, 07:35The kids are awesome!
Posted by EllMac | January 7, 2012, 07:07I love the kids too!! their expression are awesome!!
Posted by indonesiabestplaces | January 7, 2012, 07:36These are beautiful photos. I love seeing how people live in other parts of the world.
Posted by Bethany Pegues | January 7, 2012, 06:43great !!!!
Posted by Stulang Laut | January 7, 2012, 06:36Beau-ti-ful! I love the pics of the kids. Isn’t it amazing how kids are the same no matter where they are? Great job.
Posted by Red Toenails | January 7, 2012, 04:20wow!!! those illustrations are epic. good job!! ^_^
http://travellersdiningdepot.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/a-melting-pot-of-cuisines/
Posted by Travelling Writer | January 7, 2012, 03:17niceee photo……………….
http://www.omnibazar.com/
Posted by shah | January 7, 2012, 03:11These are wonderful images especially the children shots. Nice photography.
Posted by Geoff | January 7, 2012, 00:38absolute fantastic shots, love them!!!
Peace
xandi
Posted by xandimusic | January 7, 2012, 00:35Nice post…
Posted by HtmLinking.com | January 7, 2012, 00:20Trustworthy boats.
Posted by Andreas Moser | January 7, 2012, 00:04Loved the kids picture.. an amazingly great shot :)
Posted by n0ts0creative | January 6, 2012, 22:55brilliant shots. The prawns look wonderful
Posted by gaycarboys | January 6, 2012, 21:24Sounds incredible. I’d love to travel one day… there are so many beautiful places to see.. great post and pics! Thanks for sharing :)
Posted by LadyT | January 6, 2012, 21:07I enjoyed your descriptions and photos–am going to visit Madagascar in a few weeks, so will have those images in my mind. Thanks! and congrats on being FP
Posted by The Meandering Matriarch | January 6, 2012, 20:34nice seniro and seas…i like that boat…
Posted by Chamling Rai | January 6, 2012, 20:03Beautiful.
Posted by oleester | January 6, 2012, 20:03awesome places and people…..
Posted by Chamling Rai | January 6, 2012, 20:02wow!what a nice village…
Posted by Chamling Rai | January 6, 2012, 20:01i wish to go there an see once.
Posted by Chamling Rai | January 6, 2012, 20:01This is really nice………………….
Posted by Chamling Rai | January 6, 2012, 20:00stunning photographs!
Posted by Lulu | January 6, 2012, 19:36Awesome pictures! They’re stunning. Look how happy those kids are.
Posted by Ziane | January 6, 2012, 19:19Wonderful photos! I wish that I could have enjoyed that meal!
Posted by ephesus431 | January 6, 2012, 18:37Oh wow!!!
Posted by Angelene @Languages Of Art | January 6, 2012, 18:33Nice shots! Those shrimp are huge! Congrats on being FP!
Posted by Harold | January 6, 2012, 18:08Yeah is it just a close-up or are the shrimp really palm-sized?!
Posted by kieranmaynard | January 8, 2012, 18:42Lovely images! Used to live in Madagascar, and these took me back in time! Thanks… and congrats on being freshly pressed!
Posted by humilityjoy | January 6, 2012, 18:03You write well and are a good photographer. I am a world traveller and also a good travel writer and photographer. Maybe if you are ever in eastern Australia, we could meet up. my website is http://www.lifestylerenewal.com and have written a 700 page book in eight volumes called “Travel in a changing world”
Posted by Gerard | January 6, 2012, 17:50Your photos are amazing! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Posted by Lori Franks | January 6, 2012, 17:23I like the picture…
Posted by indri | January 6, 2012, 17:19I like picture
Posted by indri | January 6, 2012, 17:18Great photos, well done!
Posted by Jack Watson | January 6, 2012, 16:27food photos are amazing and want to eat some sea food right now, thanks
Posted by DT | January 6, 2012, 15:39These images are amazing. I hope to make it here someday. :)
Posted by Heather C.J. Atkins | January 6, 2012, 13:50Muito bonitas suas fotos e o lugar
Posted by Irene | January 6, 2012, 13:39Beautiful photos. I Love how you “find” the light. great Eye :)
Happy traveling!
Posted by shawnandsuzanne | January 6, 2012, 13:25You’ve got beach, beer, boat – food and fun. Can’t get better. You photography is great & equally great is the picks for this post.
Posted by Yatin | January 6, 2012, 13:25You’ve captured some beautiful shots. Love the color in your photos.
Posted by Romantic Asian Guy | January 6, 2012, 13:08Amazing photos!
Posted by Mike | January 6, 2012, 13:03If i see this pictures i like to go back to Madagascar
Posted by meinereisen2012 | January 6, 2012, 12:43Your blog is amazing and the photos show great detail! Some day I wouldn’t mine visiting !
Posted by sweetopiagirl | January 6, 2012, 12:40This post looks and sounds incredible! My husband and I hope to travel to some of these destinations on service trips in the near future. This gives us a good idea of what different areas are like-Thank you!
Posted by mrsmamablack | January 6, 2012, 12:19Your photos are amazing! It really captures the essence of the place.
Posted by Arianne Edwards | January 6, 2012, 12:16I completely agree
Posted by EllMac | January 7, 2012, 07:06It’s amazing how the people are wearing no shoes. Looks nice and warm there. Thanks for sharing this.
Connie
http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/
Posted by Constance V. Walden | January 6, 2012, 12:04Beautiful shot! Great light.
Posted by Eden | January 6, 2012, 11:42Your pictures are gorgeous, and those kids are so cute I want to eat them with a spoon!
Posted by Rae | January 6, 2012, 11:13Stunning pictures — those children are absolutely ADORABLE!
:)
Posted by Mikalee Byerman | January 6, 2012, 10:53Fantastic shots and beautiful sights. Thanks for sharing and congrats on being freshly pressed!
Posted by Dounia | January 6, 2012, 10:47looks amazing. hope all is well
Posted by Traveling far. Standing still. | January 5, 2012, 04:58Thanks, Kelly. Likewise :)
Posted by beatnomad | January 5, 2012, 05:18