Travelogue from Madagascar – or maybe not?

In the marketing department, we absolutely love it when our Product Managers share their passion for the world’s most adventurous destinations. When we asked Winnie, our Product Manager and Africa expert, to give us a travelogue about Madagascar, we thought it would be a breeze for her.

“Can’t you write a travelogue for Madagascar?” the marketing department asked me.

“Of course,” I replied. “I can certainly do that.” But it turns out, I actually can’t.

At first, I thought I’d write about Isalo. Oh my goodness, how I adore Isalo! The red-brown sandstone formations, the beautiful oases with lakes you can swim in, and the moonlike landscapes that remind me of scenes from “Star Wars”. And hardly any other visitors to share it all with.

Then I thought, no, I must write about Andasibe and the song of the indri, which on an early morning, made the hairs on my arms stand up.

But what about Antananarivo? When should I tell you about the wrought iron gates and the queen’s palace – and the whole story about the mad queen?

Or the people. I absolutely must tell you about the Bara people, who drive cattle across grass-filled plains and bury their dead in caves in the mountains. Or the Vezo people, the nomads who live in small grass huts they can pack up and carry with them.

But then I also have to mention the food! The vanilla. And the delicious seafood. And zebu! How could I forget the ever-present zebu!

I want to tell you about the nature too. How it feels as if someone has taken all the countries in the world and squeezed them into Madagascar. And about the animals. The many different types of lemurs. And chameleons. And frogs and stick insects.

And, and, and….

Marketing department: I adore you. But I simply cannot write just ONE travelogue from Madagascar.

/Winnie

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller

Are you also dreaming of travelling to Madagascar and feeling the magic Winnie experiences when choosing between the many attractions of Madagascar?