The Saka Manga Hotel

We spent the first evening in Tana at the Saka Manga hotel. Saka Manga means blue cat in Malagasy (The country's official language). Malagasy is derived from French, so we learned the few words we needed to get around. Anyway... The hotel was very quirky, for lack of a better word. It was chopped up and connected different buildings. I felt like being in an old Humphrey Bogart movie.

Our first meal was at the hotel and was absolutely wonderful. I had Duck Coq a Vin and a greek salad. The total bill for the four of us was about $40 US.

The first night's sleep was not so great though. It was cool outside so we left the window open (see the photo below). Since we were over the kitchen we had nice, but heavy odors during the early evening. As the night progressed the local night club got under way. The music was loud and constant. Fortunately, I have professional shooters ear plugs which worked well. Doug and I got a real kick when the band started playing YMCA. It's hilarious listening to the locals singing along Y M C A when they don't know a word of English.

The evening really got rough when the mosquitos started in on me. As I wandered off to sleep I envisioned each one carrying malaria. I finally closed the window and pulled the sheet over my head. I actually covered up every part of my body, but my mouth. It worked so I got a couple hours sleep. This was only a couple hours of sleep after being up for 25 hours traveling. In hindsight, this was the only bad night of sleep the whole trip.

Take a look at a short iphone video of walking from the lobby to breakfast in the Saka Manga.

SELECT to take an adventure walk in the Saka Manga Hotel

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Our first taste of life in Madagascar. The Saka Manga Hotel

Doug Relaxing in the small lobby. The Hotel has many unusual artifacts like the home made guitar and printing press table here.

An outside view of our hotel.

Some other unusual Malagasy artifacts

Hey, wait a minute these artifacts are getting a little risky. I purposely didn't retouch this photo, it's rather explicit.

The view out of our room window.

The tour guides. From left to right - Giorgio our local guide and translator, Doug and Tony our professional driver and horn operator.

Observations & Photos of the People

Madagascar is an interesting country in that there is abject poverty, but everyone is industrious. The people make do with what they have and all seem productive. The infrastructure of the country is terrible, but people are busy with everyday life. Preparing their terraces for the growing season, making bricks, walking to the local markets and selling their goods. Our guide Giorgio mentioned that some of the people walk for two days for market day.

Doug is genius. Being a professional tour guide, Doug knew his limitations and found two people to help us for the trip. Both Giorgio and Tony made this a safe, organized and fun adventure. We met the most influential people in the mineral business and were able to trade with the best dealers. With their connections we actually saw some very valuable minerals which were found in a new mine just the day before.

Here are some shots of the locals.  I haven't retouched these shots yet, so some of them you can't see their faces and eyes very well.

Select the photo to see it larger, then back to view the blog.

The weather there was perfect. Cool in the 50's in the mornings and up to 80 during the day.

The children always are happy, especially when I started taking their photos.

This man had enough to drink, but straightened up when I asked to take his photo.

I played with this man trying to take his photo. He kept peeking out and hiding back in his house.  I could tell by his smile that he enjoyed me getting his shot.

I cannot remember his name, but he is the owner of the rose quartz mine we visited,

Madagascar 2010 - Days 1 & 2

I was invited to travel with my Brother-in-law Doug on a mineral collecting expedition this September. Doug is a mineral dealer and has parlayed his mineral sales into a mineral safari tour business. He has developed many contacts including local mineral dealers and miners in South Africa and especially Namibia.

In a 2005 safari to Namibia, Doug's clients included an elderly man and his son, Mitchell & Jules Bogan. The Bogans asked Doug to take them on a personal tour to Madagascar. Doug decided he could use some help and invited me to come. I jumped on the opportunity and the following blog details our adventures in Madagascar and South Africa.

Days 1 & 2

After 23 hours of flying from JFK, we landed in Antananarivo, Madagascar (Tana). Our local contacts included Giorgio (guide and interpreter) and Tony (professional driver). They met us at the airport and took us to the first hotel - Saka Manga. Saka Manga means Blue Cat in Malagasy.

The City - We immediately became immersed in the culture of the country. The city was congested beyond belief. These photos best describe what we encountered on our first day in Tana.

Doug's clients for our trip to Madagascar. Jules (left) and his Father Mitchell Bogan. This photo was taken after clearing security at JFK airport in NYC.

Tana - Congestion...

Driving thru the downtown market was an experience. Our driver Tony earned his keep!

Most everything is carried by this balancing act.

We were fascinated with the open air meat markets. Doubt they were USDA approved.

Somehow, I don't think this construction would be up to code here in the US.

These cattle driven carts were common. This is the standard mode of transporting heavy items to the market.

Of course most carts used people power.

Is it safe in Tana? Well this isn't a deer stand in the middle of the city.