Paying for things in Madagascar isn’t as straightforward as in many other countries. Here’s how to get your hands on fat stacks of Malagasy Ariary, how to use the mobile money apps in the country, and how to identify when people are quoting prices in Malagasy Franc (†2005). Using money in Madagascar is very intertwined with having a Malagasy SIM card, so check out that article as well. Contents1 Intro to The Ariary—Paper Money Only2 Costs and Dual Pricing3 Communicating Prices with Malagasy People3.1 Recognizing when people quote in the old Malagasy Franc (FMG)3.2 When people quote prices in Euros,Continue reading
Author: Iris Veldwijk
Ranohira: Our First Time Hitchhiking in Madagascar
This happened on the 29th of December, 2022. Jonas and I did our first cursory hitchhiking in Madagascar session. Since it was so spontaneous and unplanned, the featured photo of this article was taken on the 2nd of January, 2023 while waiting for our cotisse from Ranohira to Ambalavao and does not represent the text below. Tired As Fuck After eating lunch and asking the Isalo National Park office about tours, I was quite exhausted. We’d traveled from Toliara at sea level to Ranohira at 1000 meters by cotisse. Though we had expected lower temperatures at this altitude if anythingContinue reading
Madagascar Tourist Visa Extension in Toliara: 30 Days Extra
We tried to extend our tourist visa in Madagascar in the coastal city of Toliara, aka Tuléar or Toliary. Our first visit attempt was on Friday the 23rd of December, and the next time Monday the 26th of December. Trying the Madagascar tourist visa extension around Christmas was obviously not ideal. Contents1 Why Extend the Madagascar Tourist Visa?2 Where to Extend Your Tourist Visa in Madagascar3 Researching the Malagasy Tourist Visa Extension4 Attempt 1: Friday before Christmas5 Attempt 2: Visa Extension Progress?5.1 Bitter boomers5.2 A useless sidequest5.3 Paying for the visa extension6 Attempt 3: We got it!7 Madagascar Tourist VisaContinue reading
Morondava: Avenue of the Baobabs + Baobab Fruit Experience
We visited the Alley of the Baobabs aka Avenue of the Baobabs on the 12th of December, 2022. Before that, we ate some baobab fruit we bought at the central market of Morondava, west Madagascar. Contents1 Our First Encounter with Baobab Fruit (Back in Mauritius)2 Buying + Eating Baobab Fruit in Morondava3 Visiting the Avenue of the Baobabs by Taxi3.1 Arranging a taxi to L’Allée des Baobabs3.2 Uh-oh3.3 Driving to L’Avenue des Baobabs to see the sunrise3.4 Driving north3.5 The Sacred Baobab (Baobab Sacré)3.6 To the Baobab’s in Love (Baobabs Amoureux)3.7 The long drive back to Morondava4 Good info? PonderContinue reading
Arriving in Antananarivo (Madagascar) After One Year in Mauritius
We left Mauritius for Madagascar on the 15th of November, 2022. We flew to the Malagasy capital Antananarivo with Air Mauritius. Contents1 Deciding on Madagascar2 Quatre Bornes to MRU3 Flying past La Réunion to Antananarivo4 Arriving in TNR Antananarivo5 Sketchy Moment with Rival Taxi Drivers6 Taxi Ride to Antananarivo Center7 Checking in to Sole Hotel8 Good info? Consider buying me a sugarcane juice!9 Wish to share this post? I adore you Deciding on Madagascar Our one-year Mauritian premium visa was coming to an end in November. We had considered renewing this fantastic digital nomad visa for another year; the MVContinue reading
94 Things to Do in Rodrigues
We spent several months in Rodrigues checking out a lot of different corners of this compact island. Many Mauritians and Rodriguans asked us if we didn’t get bored here. The answer to that question is a resounding no—and there are even things we didn’t do yet but are saving for a return trip. Many Rodriguans we spoke to weren’t familiar with some of the places we’ve been to. So here’s a monster list of more than 90 things to do in Rodrigues. And a map! Learn kitesurfing in Mourouk. Ask for Drany – a local and national champion – ifContinue reading
The Best Maps of Rodrigues Island, Mauritius
Use the table of contents or scroll down to see which map app I recommend and other maps of Rodrigues island that you can find while in Rodrigues. Contents1 Google Maps thinks nobody lives here2 The two maps of Rodrigues that will save your trip3 Other maps of Rodrigues I have stumbled upon3.1 Chez Jeanette3.2 3.3 Grande Montagne Nature Reserve3.4 François Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve3.5 The Island of Rodrigues by Alfred North-Coombes4 Useful info? Consider buying me a Blue Marlin!5 Wish to share or save for later? Cool cool cool Google Maps thinks nobody lives here If you’reContinue reading
Dumped Kitten at Mont Limon + Limon Confit Rescue Story
Tuesday, 7th of June 2022. We decided to finish the unknown hiking trail at Mont Limon, the highest peak in Rodrigues. But our plans of having a casual little hike with no trouble were thwarted by the criminal who decided to dump their kitten next to the trail. This is the rescue story of a dumped kitten we (temporarily) named Limon Confit. Contents1 Meows on the Alternative Ascent to Mont Limon2 Freeing a Dumped Kitten3 Walking Down + Contemplating the Next Steps4 Naming the Dumped Kitten5 Pizza + Chicken Spam Time!6 Driving Limon Confit to Mourouk7 Finding a Forever HomeContinue reading
Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Port Mathurin and Beyond
Finding vegetarian food in ‘mainland’ Mauritius is incredibly easy. But is it also possible to maintain a vegetarian diet on the smaller island of Rodrigues? I found out there are quite some restaurants in Port Mathurin and the rest of the autonomous island that serve delicious meatless and fishless foods. Below you’ll find them with a description and a location on the map. These restaurants are in no particular order. All of them are in Port Mathurin unless indicated otherwise. Contents1 What’s the Food Situation in Rodrigues?2 Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Port Mathurin2.1 Rodrigues Friendly2.2 Faratha Chou2.3 Manzé Lakaz2.4 Kafé Rose2.5Continue reading