Antsirabe Madagascar
Antsirabé (ant-sira-bay) is the third largest city on the island
of Madagascar.
In 1872, a Norwegian missionary discovered its cool climate, serene environs
and therapeutic thermal springs and set up a retreat here.
Very soon the French, who were regular visitors to Antananarivo, the capital
of Madagascar, found Antsirabé to be the ideal getaway from the
din and bustle of Antananarivo. Antsirabé's popularity grows still
today, with more and more visitors discovering the beauty of Antsirabé
every year.
Just a few hours drive from Antananarivo, you can experience the thermal-spring
ambiance of the town
Today Antsirabé is cluttered and chaotic. People of very modest
economic means vie with each other to earn their daily bread from the
tourists. Still, it retains a certain old world charm and a distinctive
character. Palm fringed boulevards, scenic excursion spots, exotic shopping
- you can find them all in Antsirabé.
As soon as you step off the taxi brousse at Antsirabé, you will
be besieged by the pousse-pousse drivers. Pousse-pousses are brightly
coloured rickshaws pulled by very persistent drivers who need to pay off
their daily rentals and feed their families. They are the best mode of
transport in Antsirabé, with their drivers being among the most
well informed and resourceful people to take you around the town and the
neighbouring tourist spots. There are pousse-pousses on every nook and
corner. The competition between the drivers is stiff, so you might get
yourself a very good bargain. Look for a younger driver if time is a constraint
for they are quicker, otherwise take an older driver whose experience
you can benefit from. Using the local knowledge of the pousse-pousse drivers
to explore the town is a great way to take yourself on a self guided Antsirabé
tour.
Antsirabé has a lot to offer in terms of local handicrafts. Explore
its small streets and discover the numerous small shops in Antsirabé
dealing in Malagasy handicrafts and artefacts. The artefacts themselves
are unique and exhibit the skill of the craftsmen and their eye for minute
detail. The shop keepers are aggressive in their marketing strategies!
So beware and do not get persuaded into picking up items which you are
really not serious about. Also do bargain. You are expected to and since
there are many sellers, you can afford to drive a hard bargain.
The best way to discover these Antsirabé shops is to hire a pousse-pousse
with a resourceful driver as many of these shops are tucked away in small
lanes and his eagerness to retain your custom will make him take you to
the most efficient ones. The pousse-pousse fare for one shop is about
AR 400. Subsequent fares will depend on the number of shops you would
like to visit. You will have no trouble finding a pousse-pousse driver
as many as ready and waiting near to all Antsirabé hotels.
Antsirabé also offers semi precious and precious stones which make
interesting mementoes and souvenirs. Ask the driver to take you to the
street where these sellers are concentrated. Choose your stones and watch
the craftsmen cutting and polishing them to suit your specifications.
There are some nice excursion spots and exciting things to see & do
in Antsirabé. The Tsirbihina River in West Madagascar. Then there
is Lac Ranomafana and the hot thermal springs near it. Lac actually means
‘lake' and Ranomafana means ‘hot water'. Small private cubicles
in a complex near the springs enable you to have a bath with the spring
waters with a massage thrown in at rock bottom prices!
Lac Tritiva and Lac Andraikiba are also worth visiting. Lac Tritiva is
20 kilometres away while Lac Andraikiba is only 7 kilometres away. You
can hire a mountain bike and bike your way to these lakes. But do remember,
contrary to what the Lonely Planet guide says, the rides could be strenuous
and difficult. The roads are uneven and involve steep descents which could
be treacherous. The ride is likely to be time consuming and tiring. Do
start early. As the day wears on, it becomes hotter and there are only
a few booths on the way which also serve only unrefrigerated refreshments.
The small footpath shop on the Avenue de L'independence, near Hotel De
Eau leases out sturdy bikes.
Lake Tritiva is the smaller but busier of the two as it is more scenic.
Lake Andraikiba is larger with numerous small alcoves for resting either
after a swim or a bike ride. You have to pay a small fee at the road that
leads to the lakes.
Further down on the same road is Betafo where you can soak in the flavour
of a typical Merina village. The road is straight and flat so you can
get there either by taxi or mountain bike.
Triano Hotel
Well located in a grand colonial villa, the six double rooms are nicely
decorated and situated on top of a trendy restaurant.
If the white frontage of Trianon and its approach ramp are an amusing
reminder of the rather pompous taste of the French colonists, the interior
decor on the other hand is very sober and tasteful. The restaurant is
one of the most popular places in the city, attended by the expatriate
crowd, residents or passers-by.
Inside Trianon there is a bar and restaurant, perfect for sipping cocktails
or enjoying delicious dinners. Outside there is a large balcony, ideal
for a coffe break at the cafe.
Soa Guest
House
Soa guest house is located at the entrance of Antsirabé. The hotel
offers economical accomodation with safe, comfortable, clean rooms and
a friendly environment.
The guest house is tastefully decorated. It is an ideal hotel for overnight
transit stays or for the first or last night of a trip. it is also ideal
for travellers seeking a quiet and private place. This budget hotel features
TV, hot water and air conditioning.
The hotel has a charming dining-room with a kitchenette where guests all
eat together. It is also a meeting-room. It's decorated with tasteful
Malagasy and modern crafts.
La Residence Le
Cocoon Inn
Cocoon Inn is a sort of "Maison d'hôte" located in Antsirabé.
The house is artistically decorated with typical Malagasy designs, is
quiet and offers you an intimate environment.
Cocoon Inn is ideal for travellers seeking a quiet and relaxing place
to stay. There's no restaurant but Cocoon can prepare you a typical meal
every day. The hotel is ideal for all sorts of trips.
Cocoon Inn has one living area to allow you to relax or to have lunch
or dinner. A mini-bar serves drinks, and there is a sofa and TV.
Residence
Camelia
Located in the centre of Antsirabé, not far from the main avenue,
and situated in a residential district.
Each room has its own special features, and they are all spacious and
tastefully decorated. There are 11 rooms: 9 (double, individual or twin)
with private bathrooms, 2 with shared bathrooms (family rooms). Camelia
is a charming villa, ideal for travellers seeking a quiet place to stay.
Set in a pleasant garden of flowers, the Hotel has a restaurant (seating
for 45) and prepares picnic baskets and drinks for those who request them.
Car and minibus hire are also available.
Hotel
des Thermes
The Hotel des Thermes kept its colonial style.
All rooms are comfortable with private facilities, TV with international
channels, telephone, heating device. One Royal Suite, three Prestige Suites,
two family and 26 club rooms.
|
