Madagascar travel story

Land with exceptional landscapes, intense colors and more varied wildlife. Land that conquers the tourist and leaves in him an indelible memory. Land of extreme poverty, like many African countries, where you live in simple huts and where survival is linked to a bit of fishing and what nature offers spontaneously. Land of the strong contrasts that strikes the visitor for its beauty but does not hide its big difficulties.

My experience in this country was limited to the area of Nosy Be, certainly the most tourist but still able to give a break in the reality of what is the fourth island of the world for greatness. Being able to avoid classical tourist circuits has allowed me to make a remarkably interesting and engaging experience. Navigating on the Internet I found a structure managed by a couple with Italian origins, transplanted for many years in Madagascar, a small reality made up of a few bungalows in the island of Nosy Komba. The location, the wild nature surrounding, the hospitality and the excellent cuisine have given me 10 beautiful days and hardly repeatable. Remo and Berenice are the couple who manages this facility that you can easily find on the internet. After some time Remo has missed, but Berenice continues the activity and has maintained the name of the structure even in remembrance of her husband (see the page dedicated to the small structure of Remo and Berenice)
Again from this structure I was able to admire the wild nature of Nosy Komba where walking through the forest is possible to collect bananas or mangoes (in season) directly from the tree or chop on a pineapple. On the coast of this island there are two villages, the largest being the most popular and frequented by tourists (Ampangorina) while the second is smaller and simple (Anjiabe) but rich in charm. In this village I personally handed over to school pupils (single class) notebooks, pencils, pencils, etc. Material I brought from Italy (see album Small faces. This population is very much in need and I invite all those who go to those places to make this small contribution that even if it represents a small drop in the sea of their poverty has a great effect on children and it will be a strong emotion for you.

All this population is in indigence and deep poverty, tourism is a source of work and a minimum of subsistence, but not for everyone. Children need everything, I invite all those who go to those places to give a small non-cash contribution, but bring some useful clothing or items that they often do not find in the villages as stationery for the school. You will be rewarded abundantly by the smiles and thanks of the children, taught and parents.

Surely the wonder of the whole area is represented by Nosy Iranja, which is at a distance from both Nosy Komba and Nosy Be. The excursion lasts for a whole day, small, fast boats are used, so not so comfortable and free from jumping, especially if the sea is a little shaky.

Nosy Be, the main island, has many interesting aspects, first of all the only true town of Hell Ville, home to a colorful market enriched by women dressed in ample glamorous dresses. The west coast of the island is a continuous strip of sand and is where most resorts are concentrated. Personally I do not find this area particularly attractive as it is similar to many other views in other parts of the world. Towards the extreme north is the beautiful beach of Andilana where there is an Italian village that occupies the extremity. Here you will find the presence of tourism and the induction that this creates in the surrounding areas. The beach is open, long and deep enough even at high tide, with its palm trees complete it behind. Even here we find a small fishing village and the usual tablecloths produced by local women who moved by the wind complete the picture of this beautiful stretch of coastline..

Another interesting point inside the island is the "sacred tree" for the Hindus, a giant ficus magnoliodes of 170 years (a typical tree that develops a part of the branches to the ground where they stem as further roots). Within the branches of the tree that descend to the ground and cover an area of 4000 square meters is placed the place of worship identified by red and white cloths in memory of Divine revelation of Buddha. At the center of the island is Mount Passot, whose summit is easily reached by car, nothing special, it is the highest point on the island where you can admire a large part of Nosy Be.

Nosy Sakatia is an island that is located opposite the long west beach of Nosy Be, when low tide is possible to reach it on foot (pay attention to tide times, you may find it difficult). It is an almost uninhabited island (some small fishermen's hut) with a beautiful beach that is not visible from the coast of Nosy Be, but it looks like a rocky island. Its most important feature is the countless species of orchids that cover much of the island during the flowering period (April-May) so much so that it is named "perfume island".

Nosy Tanikely is another small uninhabited island well-known by tourists. It has a beautiful white sandy beach and spectacular sea front. It is possible to make good snorkeling in a barrier stretch along the west side of the island.