Andilana: the best beach in the world is in Madagascar

For: Mayte Touch (text and photos)
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When chaos, pollution and bustle of Antananarivo I choked in my throat and lungs, I decided to go a few days to explore some of the islands of Madagascar, of whom had heard so much. Go by road for 15 hours and then by boat to any of them meant a lot ostensible. I went to a travel agency and bought a ticket to Nosy Be. Nosy means island in Malagasy.

Air Madagascar plane would take me to the capital of this island, northwest of Madagascar, against Antsiranana, call Diego Suarez from 1975, due to the Portuguese navigator who visited to 1543.

I got on a rickety cab Citroen ready for scrapping, and went into the depths of the island, by a green and leafy road

The ancient aircraft landed not far from Hell Ville, great name to begin a route anywhere. I got on a rickety cab Citroen ready for scrapping, and went into the depths of the island, by a green and leafy road. The driver stopped every ten minutes for gas to deposit a plastic bottle, while I waited in the heat and humidity machine that I was slowly melting to ideas. In a normal situation this would upset me to desquicie, but I soon discovered that in Nosy be angry is like impossible.

Nosy Be was occupied by France 55 years before the rest of Madagascar, because the ships could take easily anchor there. He soon became a strategic location for trade and a large agricultural settlement: was covered with sugar cane fields, coffee and sesame among other, of which now nothing remains.

The island grows and exports oil of Ylang-Ylang, a beautiful flower known aphrodisiac properties bouncing cleansing and an exquisite fragrance

From 1920 and to this day, on the island grows and exports oil of Ylang-Ylang. This beautiful flower known aphrodisiac properties and cleansing fires an exquisite fragrance. The aroma that permeates the island came in through the window of the old car and I was tuning the mind.

Hell Ville, in the past meeting place for pirates and privateers, is little more than a small village with a fascinating market bursting with the juiciest of all the Indian mangoes, blood-red tomatoes, peppers with smooth skin that just take you tears smell, lettuce leaves as green as algae, slender cinnamon sticks ...

I could explore the island from north to south and decided I could stay there forever. I can clearly say that there is paradise on earth and is called Andilana

Within days I could explore the island from north to south and decided I could stay there forever, and although it sounds cliche travel guidebook, Clearly I can say that there is paradise on earth and is called Andilana, north of Nosy Be. Although it really should say "was", because when I first stepped Andilana, in 2001, was very different from what is now.

A pair of smiling Malagasy had planted four tables in the sand, covered with bougainvillea petals, and roasted fish fresh from the sea

This long run-on and serene beach of fine sand and soft, a welcoming and peaceful emerald sea, was really a treat for the senses. Away from the bustle of Hell Ville and other beaches that offer lush pleasures, such as Ambatoloaka, with outdated hotels, Andilana solitary calm was a gift to those who seek tranquility. In the midst of this isolated delight, a pair of smiling Malagasy had planted four tables in the sand, covered with bougainvillea petals, and after a flimsy wooden fence roasted fish fresh from the sea.

Fortunately for the Italians, but unfortunately for the other beings on the planet in search of paradise lost, this remote place in the world is no longer the secret paradise for about eight years. A leading Italian luxury hotels planted an opulent hotel on its silky sand. In the spongy shores where once lay the shellfish with the belly to the sun, bask is now Italian tourists, while they wait to eat the best proscruitto brought straight from the motherland.

Nosy be is still a glorious island in the Indian, where chameleons and turtles live together happily to the slow pace of habitat

Despite this, Andilana retains part of its magic. Nosy be is still a glorious island in the Indian Ocean, where chameleons and turtles live together happily to the slow pace of habitat, Westerners ignore until we hit the landscape.

Nosy Be is in turn surrounded by small islands floating in the sea transparent as appetizing pieces of cream and make it even more interesting. But that's for another chapter.

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Comments (4)

  • Albena

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    How nice you've written and photos – precious! Thanks

    Answer

  • Juan Antonio

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    I could taste the mangos, bloody choke with tomatoes, mourn with hot peppers and help refuel your driver…. and finally breathe the scent of cinnamon….. a whole mixture of feelings that eventually invite me for a swim in these waters clear and warm….. is a pleasure with you virtually viajer Mayte… thanks

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  • amaya

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    I still have not gone on vacation but through your story is as if he caught a flight to the beach and I had left rocked by its breeze.

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  • Alfonso

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    Sooner or later those lands Prano ire. Thanks Mayte

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