Here I gathered the best countries for solo travel, based on criteria such as safety, culture, ease of movement and accommodation for single travelers.

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Friday, February 1, 2019

Luxembourg

February 01, 2019

Luxembourg

I was also provoked by the logic of travel to visit the largest of the dwarf states in Europe: I like to dilute long journeys with stops for sightseeing. Luxembourg in this case came across just on the way from the North Sea coast to Dusseldorf, where we had to rent a rental car and put it home. And although there was a hefty detour on the route, I considered him to be tolerant: all the cities along the road, such as Maastricht, Liege, Namur, I saw, which means that it was necessary to replenish the baggage of impressions with something new.
No, strictly speaking, I had already had the opportunity to visit the territory of the Grand Duchy, but only a few hours drive, and definitely should have seen the sights of Luxembourg more thoughtfully. So I decided to get to the ducal capital and enjoy its beauty slowly, to the full.
Here are just my plans remained plans, because on arrival at the place of work went awry. Calculating time, I decided that, as usual, we would park somewhere near the city center and calmly walk. The reality turned out to be different: there are major problems with parking in Luxembourg.
And the history of Luxembourg began in a very masculine way: the foundation of the future state was laid in 963, when the powerful fort of Lisilinburg was erected on the remains of an ancient Roman fort. Its owner, Count Siegfried, managed to retain sovereignty over the surrounding territory in the struggle against the Holy Roman Empire, having founded the Luxembourg House. His descendants tried to continue the line of independence, and even achieved that in 1354 the county of Luxembourg turned into a duchy, rising to a higher level. Problems began later, towards the end of the Middle Ages. At first, the powerful dukes of Burgundy, then on equal terms with the French kings, grabbed foreign possessions. Luxembourg tried to stay away from the confrontation between Spain and the rebels of the Netherlands, but its inhabitants failed to avoid the horrors of the Thirty Years War. Next were the French, followed by the Spaniards, and again the French, and again the Spaniards. France at one time tried to gain a foothold in the occupied lands seriously, and the local fortifications were built by the great Vauban himself, but another peace treaty concerning the so-called Spanish inheritance, gave power over Luxembourg to Austria. Napoleon swatted the dukedom in disguise and did not notice, but then, at the Congress of Vienna, the diplomats had to suffer, deciding what to do with this corner of Europe.
Luxembourg

The German princes were pulling the blanket over themselves; the neighboring Netherlands also wanted to expand their territory. Luxembourg was eventually proclaimed the Grand Duchy under the rule of the Dutch king Willem I. The status of an independent state of the land at the junction of Belgium, Holland and Germany was received at an international conference in 1867, when great powers, including the Russian Empire, declared Luxembourg a neutral country with a hereditary monarch from home nassau. Neutrality was twice violated by German troops during both World Wars, then the Grand Dukes themselves violated neutrality, making the country in 1949 a member of NATO. Another important step in the actual renunciation of sovereignty was the entry of Luxembourg into the European Union, which was at that time the European Coal and Steel Union; the headquarters of the new institution were located in the Luxembourg capital, and only much later did the European bureaucrats move to Brussels. 

At least there are already half a dozen mosques, and the Muslim community is growing. So, you see, soon, as in neighboring Belgium, there will be a party of sharia lovers, and there it is not far from before the introduction of sharia law. That's just how the promotion of Islamists will be combined with the indulgence of same-sex relationships, for me personally, a mystery - it is necessary to contrive either those or these not to offend.

From the fortress bastions, a colossal bridge bearing the name of the Grand Duchess Charlotte is also clearly visible. Personally, in her place I would be careful not to leave the memory of myself in a similar way: the building is completely inconspicuous and fits into the landscape of Luxembourg in much the same way as a cow cake on a festive table. And after all, they built a crossing according to the project that won the competition for dozens of others - what were they like ?! 
The eastern end of the Duchess Charlotte Bridge goes into new areas, bristling with skyscrapers. This is also not the best sight, so it is much more reasonable to take a course to the west, in the depth of the historical buildings. Then almost immediately the stylish church of Saint-Michel will come across. It is considered the oldest surviving temple in the country, some stones of its walls and foundation have been in place since the end of the 10th century.
The temple was rebuilt and modified several times, the look that now appears to the viewer is a mixture of Baroque and Romanesque styles of architecture that finally took shape more than three hundred years ago. There is nothing particularly exciting inside, so if you admire the old building from the outside, you have to go on to look at other sights of Luxembourg. This will not be the case: the National Museum of the country is located right to the right, and if you walk a couple of blocks forward and up Rue Sigefroi, then the Ducal Palace will be found around the left corner.
Strictly speaking, the complex of nice buildings was not originally intended for the placement of crowned heads, from 1572 to 1795 it was occupied by ordinary city officials. The fate of the palace experienced a sharp turn later, with the establishment of the power of the Netherlands, when the governor of the Dutch king chose the building for the residence. Finally, the Groussherzogleche Palais, as its name in the local dialect sounds in the hands of the highest authority, came in 1890, and has since been used as the official residence of the Grand Dukes of Luxembourg. For their convenience, a new wing was added and the interiors were replaced.
Honestly, although the facade looks nice, you can easily walk past it, because there are plenty of pleasant-looking buildings in Luxembourg. The value of this particular architectural ensemble is issued except for the soldiers of the guard of honor near the entrance. The last time we saw one such guard, cold and sniffy. The current entry did not allow seeing any guards at all, the guard rooms were empty. Theoretically, anyone can visit the Palace of the Great Dukes of Luxembourg as part of the tour, such as tours are organized on weekdays in August and early September, but I could not get accurate information on this subject. So for now, the most reliable option to see the palace interiors is a visit as part of the official delegation: the ducal guests are accommodated in the residence. 
Summing up our tour of Luxembourg, I can say that I value the capital of the Grand Duchy as a C grade. It is, of course, interesting and has an ancient history, only its modern look in many ways repels rather than attracts. First of all, at the thought of a tiny country, I recall couples in love with homosexuals, then parking problems, then hordes of immigrants. Again, we still could not find a place to eat cheaply in Luxembourg.

Thursday, January 31, 2019

TRIP TO ROME: TIPS FOR EXPERIENCED TRAVELERS

January 31, 2019

If you want to visit the main attractions for free, we advise you to come during the Week of Culture in Rome. It usually takes place in mid to late April (exact dates change every year). These days, all museums and memorials, except those in the Vatican, operate in a free-to-enter mode. And on Sundays in the morning hours there is also free admission to city museums, but be prepared for an influx of tourists and for the fact that because of them you can hardly see anything.
TRIP TO ROME

The most popular attraction of Rome - of course, the Colosseum. You can not imagine how many people per day want to explore it. Therefore, we strongly advise in advance to buy a ticket for one of the excursions there and then not to stand in a long line. In addition, you can buy a combined ticket for two days with the possibility of visiting the Colosseum, Palatin and the Roman Forum, which will significantly reduce the cost of entrance tickets.
For those who have limited means, there are always free attractions, which, nevertheless, will allow to learn the history of Rome and explore the panorama of the city. So, you can get on the Janikul Hill, from where a wonderful view of the city opens up. Or walk along the Appian Way - an open-air museum where you can see churches, mausoleums and villas. Also free to enter the Imperial forums (do not confuse it with the Roman Forum). However, literally every house in the center of Rome is a creation of great masters, therefore, even if you are out of money, without impressions you will not leave here for sure.
In connection with the previous statement, we recommend more walking around Rome on foot. This is how you can explore the beautiful memorable places - the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navonna Square and the Spanish Steps - and experience the spirit of the history of the Eternal City. But it is also useful to go beyond the borders of Rome: very close, 30 minutes away, is the beach of Lido-Ostia. It is here that locals come to relax and sunbathe. You can get there by train. Also from the station of Rome you can go to Frascati - a small cozy town, which is famous all over the world for its wine.
Eat in cafes and restaurants, located away from the main attractions. Of course, the Piazza Navonna meal is very attractive, but unfairly expensive. It is much cheaper to eat in places far from the center. Traditional Italian pizza al taglio, which is prepared in many fast food points throughout Rome, is perfect for a snack. It is also a sin not to try local products, because Italian cheeses, pasta and meat products are known all over the world.
TRIP TO ROME

Do not disdain the fountains with fresh water scattered throughout the city. Even locals carry empty bottles with them and take in clean and cold water. It is completely safe for your health.
Sights of Rome
Sights of Rome, which are required to visit, because they are "business cards" of the Eternal City:

Vatican: St. Peter’s Cathedral and Vatican Museums. Plan a trip to the Vatican for the whole day and come in the morning to the opening to minimize standing in line. A great time to visit is the post-Easter period, when the entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is free. Be sure to note that the entrance to the Vatican Museums, where the famous Sextus Chapel is located, is located on the other side of St. Peter’s Square.
The Colosseum is a terrific monument. Entrance to the Colosseum is paid and you can buy a general ticket to the Colosseum and the Roman form.
The Roman Forum is a remnant of former greatness from the Roman Empire.
The Pantheon is a beautiful temple in the center of Rome, with a hole in the dome.
Trevi Fountain - don't forget to make a wish! But watch out for personal things.
Castle of the Holy Angel and the Bridge of the Angels - located near the Vatican.
The square (piazza) Navona is a haven for artists and creative people. There are many interesting shops in the district.
The Spanish Steps are a very crowded landmark!
Also it will be no less interesting to visit:

Vittoriano (Monument to Victor Emmanuel II) is a white monumental building that can be seen 
from almost any part of the city, built in honor of the union of Italy. Inside, two museums - one 
dedicated to the fleet, and the second - the national liberation movement (Risorgimento). Borghese 
Gallery. Villa Borghese. Catacombs of Rome. The mouth of truth. Terme Caracalla (imperial baths). 
Sao Paolo-fuor-le-mura. Mausoleum of Kai Cestia.
It should be noted that both lists are far from exhaustive! In Rome, every home has its own beauty and history. There are many magnificent fountains and monuments, and columns and aqueducts - witnesses of bygone eras are found everywhere. You can also visit interesting sights around Rome. If possible, visit the city of Tivoli, where Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este are located.

Sri Lanka

January 31, 2019

All of them are from the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka! We have been living in this country for almost a month now. During this time we drove along the coast (Halle-Unawatuna-Habaraduva-Mirissa) and visited the central part of the country (Sigiriya, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella). Emotions poulegёlis, everything settled down, which means that now is the time to share impressions.
Sri Lanka

Traffic and transport in Sri Lanka
The traffic in Sri Lanka is left-sided, but in fact, it makes no difference what lane you are on. Even the Vietnamese road chaos seems a strictly ordered movement against the background of the Sri Lankan. Signaled, blinked - you can rush. Double solid, turn, climb, busy oncoming - what's the difference if the bus urgently needs to overtake the motorcyclist or tuker to stop in 100 meters and disembark the passenger?
Buses - the most accessible and most dangerous form of transport in Sri Lanka, regardless of whether you are inside or outside. They are huge, occupy the entire band and do not follow a single rule. Buses can do anything. Buses do not know how to drive slowly. Drivers do not know that passengers need to disembark, completely stopping, and not to get under way until everyone leaves.

Once an elderly woman did not have time to get out, and the bus just dragged her behind her - the woman held on to the rail on the door. As a result, she strongly dislocated her leg, could not walk. But there was no question of any ambulance or first aid. I wonder why none of the witnesses called the police? Another time they saw how the police arrived and punished the driver. And again the victim is an elderly woman. Is this not genocide by age and sex?
Sri Lanka

In buses, local music is usually very loud. The atmosphere is indescribable: a piece of iron with a couple of dozens of lives inside is speeding, overtaking someone, slowing down sharply, all this under leisurely songs deafeningly pouring from the speakers on the head, and outside the window the ocean throws waves onto the shore.
At the bus stops, the “who is the last one and the standing” rule works, therefore, slowly going into the bus you risk to be swept away by the flow of Lankans rushing inwards. Just like at home, only twice as bad. 
Lankans mostly ride motorcycles. A moped for rent is worth 700-800 rupees per day. Passport pledged without prepayment.

For more or less long distances, you can travel by train - cheap and cheerful. Interestingly, the east coast has a poor network of railway roads, in contrast to the extensive western-central. The train should ride to the central part of the country - there are beautiful and epic bridges.
Accommodation in Sri Lanka
Despite the end of the season, Sri Lankans lomina prices and do not drop. For a dark closet not by the sea, they ask for 2500 rupees per day. Inside the room, there is often no furniture except the bed and nightstand. In some places, a double bed consisted of two shifted teen beds, i.e. 150 cm long.
An important point when looking for housing - be sure to ask what is invested in the price. Water, electricity usually included. Sometimes the price of the room includes breakfast, which can be waived. Cleaning may also be included
The presence of air conditioning immediately increases the cost of housing. The hospitable hosts of one of the guest houses on Unawatuna explained to us why this is so: Sri Lanka does not have its own electricity, it buys it from India. And the air conditioner eats a lot. If so, then why is Sri Lanka not littered with solar panels (price?) And not trying to use alternative sources of energy? Obviously, rather big investments are required, but this is payable and very promising for the country's economy!
With the Internet in guest houses (and in hotels) is bad. It is inexplicable, but Sri Lankans do not put amplifiers. Therefore, Wi-Fi (if any) is only on the ground floor (it finishes what it is, there it is).
Food, beverages and alcohol in Sri Lanka
The most popular food is rice and curry.

The simplest fried rice (or noodles) with vegetables from 260 rupees. So read the signs. In practice, I have never seen such a price. The most adequate price was in a small one in Mirissa, where rice and noodles cost 400 rupees each. True, the portion is such that for two is enough. This is typical of Sri Lankan dishes. Therefore, it is better to specify the serving size before ordering. Although all the abundance of dishes in the photo above, according to the waiter, was designed for one person. And we together have not mastered.
By the way, the prices for dishes listed in the menu do not include 10% tax. But these 10% are included in the bill that you need to pay. A total of 400 rupees for fried rice turns into 440.
I absolutely do not recommend drinking water from the tap. In some places, and brush your teeth better with bottled water.

What I definitely advise you to try is ginger beer or Ginger Beer. It is a soft drink, light and refreshing.

From the food is still very impressed papadam. And gingerbread cookies. Papadas are cakes that are cooked in a pan in a hot oil. You can buy pads in any store.
Sea and beaches of Sri Lanka
Why go to Sri Lanka? For the exotic and the sea. But many people do not suspect that in Sri Lanka there is not a sea, but an ocean, and these are two huge differences. The ocean is always raging, always rolling huge waves on the shore. Yes, the beaches in Sri Lanka are wide, long and sandy, but swimming in the ocean means fighting with the waves.
There are many animals here. And just on the street you can see quite unusual animals. For example, we have a mongoose under the window. The path even trodden. On the trees a bunch of different monkeys and parrots. On the wire worn chipmunks. Small lizards and lizards walk slowly across the grass. Minks are dug on the banks of the dog, and the cows are sunbathing.

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Travel to the country of maple leaves. Toronto

January 30, 2019
Toronto

The Hurons believed that this was only their “Meeting Place”. The Mohawks also claimed the title of abroiigen and believed that here "Trees grow out of water." The villages of the Iroquois, Seneca, and Mississauga were spread out here and there, and also had their names, not very carefully preserved by capricious History. However, the latter did not like to live long in one place, turned down their wigwams and moved to a new place around the Great Lakes.
And again, everything changed in the usual course of time and events, as soon as the pale faces came to the shores of the lakes. A piece of land was bought for what kind of money and Indian Tkaronto gave the name of the capital of Upper Canada - Toronto.

The history of the city was not particularly remarkable - the city grew, then captured by the enemy, again returned to the rightful owners ... And who knows what Toronto would be like now, if not for the loss of Montreal influence and the outflow of the English-speaking population. Business also went to Toronto, and immigration after World War II did its job.
Our journey from the Thousand Islands was in Toronto. And the closer we approached, the more severe the weather became: the skies frowned, heavy fat clouds clung to the saddened belly with the belly, fragments of ash mists stuck to the glass. The city was preparing a very joyful meeting guests. I don’t know what angered the capital of Ontario, but heaven did not promise a warm welcome.
With the hope of the mercy of the Canadian gods who control the weather, we went to bed late at night, when you could only see the wrong light of lanterns. With even more hope, I rushed to the window in the morning. Plans to climb the CN Tower collapsed and broke into the smallest fragments - the city was wrapped in a dense fog.

Toronto
In no other city in the world does so many different nationalities live side by side, while completely ignoring it and learning to make friends regardless of the notorious fifth item and skin color. A completely multi-ethnic city, with a mixture of cultures, languages ​​and traditions. After a couple of hours of walking around Toronto, you stop paying attention to it and perceive it as the most common and usual fact. To say that I liked it - to say nothing! This is the perfect picture of the world for me. What is the reason for such a peace-loving coexistence - active immigration or an abundance of student youth - is hard for me to say, but I think it all came together.
Toronto is the most "skyscraper" city of Canada, from what I have seen. And at the same time - no less green. Thrift and care, with which they treat every tree and a flower in Toronto, cannot but arouse respect. Huge monsters of glass and concrete carefully parted, giving way to trees and squares. And of course, squirrels are masters here!
And there are a lot of dogs in Toronto! No, not those that are gathering in hunger packs and are ready to rummage for the sake of finding food in any landfill. Dogs in Toronto are loved. They are walking, they are spoiled, they are protected. To meet a dog without a leash is simply impossible! But the leash with a few dogs - easily. 

Residents of the city are very fond of their lake Ontario and love to relax on its shores. True, in the summer. In the fall I almost never met them. But what surprised me was that I was wrapped in a windbreaker and trembling from the dank wind and damp fog, while the people were walking around in short-sleeved T-shirts and even the kids were running around with bare knees, not being afraid of catching cold and getting sick. Young Street is the longest street in the world, its length is 1896 km and it stretches from the embankment of Lake Ontario to the border with the United States. Once it was an Indian trail, later the discoverers of Canada walked along it. In the 19th century it was the most commercial street, the commercial center of the city with many shops. In my opinion, on this street the maximum accumulation of buildings of glass and concrete. To go through it all - the task is almost unsolvable.
Toronto

Travel to the country of maple leaves. Montreal.

January 30, 2019

Canada is a country of maple leaves, hockey, maple syrup, gorgeous nature, and cities completely different from each other .
One has only to cross the border of the United States and Canada, as things change around. At first it is noticeable on the roads: not that they are so clearly becoming worse, but still not American. Now is the time to take heart, praising the Motherland, it’s not only our problem, it turns out!
Montreal
And then you start to look around and completely forget about the roads, about fatigue and about the desire to take a nap under the rustle of the wheels. Because on the sides absolutely incredible pictures of magnificent Canadian autumn open ... The forests are colored, perhaps, by all shades of yellow, orange, burgundy, purple and even chocolate colors. There is something to look at: here, because of a sharp turn, blue-blue mountains appeared in the multi-colored spots of the forest. Here are villages, but rather even small towns, so cozy and cute that it seems that all happy people are trying to settle here.
And the pastoral picture of a mowed field, a frozen white or blue tractor, twisted hay coils, late autumn colors, a small house and a bright garden around are fascinating more and more.

Canadians love their autumn. In those days, when the foliage reaches the peak of its beauty, they go out into nature to admire this miracle, as the Japanese gather around cherry blossoms in bloom. These things are called “look at the leaf fall”, and hotel rooms by the lakes or in the forests are occupied several weeks before the season. And you can even understand the Canadians. Listen to how beautiful Canadian autumn and see it with your own eyes are completely different stories. And each new turn of the road revealed amazingly beautiful views of what seemed to be such an ordinary phenomenon as the annual autumn .
Montreal
At the foot of a high hill from time immemorial there was a small settlement Hochelaga. The tribe of the Iroquois tried to live in peace with all who wanted peace with them. The Indians fished, went hunting and built nimble canoes. In the spring they gathered sweet maple syrup from red maples, in the fall they admired motley leaves. They fought as without it, and the enemy's scalps were the best reward of a brave warrior. Married, continued their race and carefully passed on traditions from generation to generation. And then came the pale-faced .
The city of Montreal, which in translation sounds like the "Royal Hill", stands on the site of the very Indian settlement. However, the indigenous people of Canada do not like being called Indians and prefer the word "Inuit" or "indigenous people." The city was built as a French trading post, the French became its first inhabitants, and today Montreal is the second French-speaking city in the world after Paris.
Montreal
Entering the city from the United States, the first to see the St. Lawrence River. And then there is a view of the city floating out of the waters of the river, on the hill of Mont-Royal, from which you can also admire Montreal, if you manage to carve out for this time.
Montreal is located on a huge island and he has to compare all the time with Budapest, Petersburg, Paris. I can’t argue, but it seemed to me that the city was not like anything, it was too peculiar, too original and had its own face. Probably, the coming Americans see Montreal European. But I would say that this is no longer Europe, but not America at all. This is what has become a kind of bridge from the Old World to the New, the one that has connected two civilizations. Everyone here will be able to find exactly what he wants. European - similarity with their cities. American - America.
Montreal is the heart of Quebec, as Canadians themselves believe. The Canadian flag is everywhere adjacent to the flag of Quebec - a white cross and heraldic lilies on a blue background. These lilies can be found everywhere - painted on paving slabs, in the form of a stigma on the bricks of buildings, on the wall of an old basilica, on a shop window, even on souvenir nonsense sold here in great abundance .
It was officially recognized that the city was the second in the world in the comfort of life, and I was not surprised at all ... There it is really very comfortable and you realize this somehow gradually, quite unexpectedly for yourself. Just catch yourself thinking that you are good here and that you do not want to run around the sights at all. I want to be here, catch the rhythm of the city and become one organism with it.
The official language of Montreal is French, and this is a little confusing, confusing which continent, country you are in.
And all this seems completely impossible and at the same time terribly sweet, and you seek out what is nice to see for you, and refuse to believe that within a few hours of driving from the USA there is such a civilization that has preserved its originality and carries it in spite of everything through the centuries.
First look at the city as first love. Everything is simple - narva, do not like. Lawless Heart! Cute autumn twilight, and the breeze from the river, and the clatter of horses on the cobblestones (the most that is present!), And French gallantry, and the unique graded "p", and the burning stars in the inky sky, and completely European buildings emerging in the light of lights - how can you not fall in love unconditionally and immediately. And it is so easy to forgive Montreal all inconsistencies with Europe - when you love, you do not find fault with trifles.

MARCAIS ISLANDS

January 30, 2019
MARCAIS ISLANDS

Marquis Islands - the main resorts and areas, excursions and attractions, museums, reviews of tourists about the Marquis Islands.
The Marquesan archipelago is six inhabited and six uninhabited islands. The most popular among tourists are the islands of Nuku Hiva and Hiva’s, very attractive by their nature and with large mountains.
On the islands of the Marquesas Archipelago for a long time lived the famous artist Paul Gauguin. Here you can visit the museum of the artist, which presents his work and personal belongings.

Where to stay: On the six inhabited islands of the archipelago, including in the hotels of the fabulously beautiful Nuku-Khiva or “next door” to Gogen - on the exotic picturesque Hiva-Oa.
What to see: The house-museum of Gauguin on the island of Hiva-Oa, the mysterious caves of the Marquis mountains and the magnificent hilly landscapes of Nuku Hiva. You should also go on a jeep safari, take a walk on the tropical mountains, go for a swim with an aqualung or go on a peaceful cruise on the endless azure smooth surface of the Silent. Those who are not afraid of the road, we can recommend to fly to Tahiti and see the sights of the colorful capital of Papeete.
The west coast of Nuku Hiva is characterized by a steep ascent, and the coastline is indented by bays. The east coast of the island takes the brunt of the sea: the elements are raging. The northern part is indented with deeper bays, the most famous of which are Anaho and Hatiheu.
The south coast is also indented by bays, but to a lesser extent.


The cultural center of Paul Gauguin, opened in 2003, is located on the island of Hiva Oa. Safari trips to the caves of the Marquesas Mountains, a sacred place where stone temples and statues are preserved, are organized. Jeep safari, horseback riding, walks on mountain trails, picnics on the beach or in the mountains, deep-sea fishing, motorboat rides, visiting archaeological sites, visiting craft workshops.
Wood carving is considered a national local craft. Rosewood and sandstone crafts such as plates and figurines. You can purchase them directly from the manufacturers on all islands.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Madagascar

January 29, 2019

Madagascar

Madagascar, like a mosaic, is made up of many reserves, which you can travel around for weeks. There are volcanic massifs and baobab forests, impassable mangroves and many kilometers of beaches. In the park Ranomafana you can swim in the hot springs, and in the nature reserve Tsinzhi du Bemaraha - climb on the ancient limestone rocks. The archipelago of Nosy Be is a glorious place for good fishing, and the pirate island, Il Sainte-Marie, is an observation point for migrating whales.
Millions of years ago, Madagascar broke away first from Africa, and then from India, and turned into a unique island reserve, on which, like in Noah's Ark, the most amazing species of animals fit. Have you ever heard of foss, agile and powerful tropical cats? Or brookesia - tiny chameleons that can fit on your fingertip? These animals live only in Madagascar.
Sainte-Marie

The country was ruled by kings, the colonialists seized it, but the lemurs always remained the rulers of the jungle. The national parks are inhabited by hordes of these animals, many of which can be held in their hands and fed with bananas. The inhabitants of Madagascar, the Malagasy, believe that the souls of hermit who have fled to the jungle are moving to Lemurs.
Traveling around the island is better with local guides, so as not to get lost in the rainforest, like the heroes of the famous cartoon "Madagascar". Malagasy people are slow, but very friendly, and in nature reserves, filled to capacity with uncharted living creatures, their help is invaluable.
Madagascar is the main supplier of vanilla in the world. Huge vanilla plantations, which employ thousands of women and children, stretch to the northeast of the country - in the area of ​​the towns of Antalaha, Andapa and Vogemar. It was Madagascar vanilla that Coco Chanel made the part of the famous perfume "Chanel No. 5".
St. Mary's Island

Once upon a time, pirates lived on the Il-Sainte-Marie (as the island is called in French), but now it was chosen by expatriates - foreigners who came to relocate to Madagascar. The west coast of the island is built up with hotels and restaurants, and the cleanest beaches leave for 60 km. Together with the resort of Nosy Be, St. Mary’s Island is a tandem of the best places for swimming in all of Madagascar. The coast here does not cling to the mud, and the tides do not bring to the beaches anything but brilliant shells and sea stars.
The local town called Ambodifotatra hid such famous pirates as William Kidd, Robert Calliford and Olivier Le Vasseur. According to one of the legends, sea robbers hid 200 million pounds sterling on the island, but they still haven’t found the stolen treasures. In Forbans bay, parts of sunken pirate ships sticking out of the water are still visible, and tombstones have remained on the island itself.
Another entertainment on the island is watching humpback whales that appear from July to September in the waters of the strait between Madagascar and Ile Sainte-Marie.

Grands Tsingy


Getting there: you can get to the island by air (the flight from Antanarivo takes about an hour, from the Toamasins - 15 minutes), and by water (from the Toamasins you need to get to the town of Soanierana Ivongo, from where you can go to Il Sainte-Marie). Tsinzhi du Bemaraha
The huge reserve consists of limestone cliffs that go up to 30 meters in the sky. The views from the summit are fantastic: it seems that all the space around is covered with dark and sharp, like the huge needles of a sea urchin, the tops of the stone jungle. At the bottom of the gorge between the rocks grow palm groves, in which sifaks live - similar to teddy bears lemurs with white and very soft fur.
The main attraction in the reserve - the rise of the cliffs, which looks like a training in mountaineering. The guides issue a safety belt with carbines. Clutching at the sharp teeth of the hands, you need to climb up the limestone to the observation deck.

The reserve is divided into two parts - Grands Tsingy (large rocks) and Petits Tsingy (small rocks). It is better to choose large ones, they are more interesting, but the path to them from the entrance to the reserve will take about 3 hours, so stock up on water. Going on a tour, take care of good shoes with a durable sole that does not slip and adheres well to the surface. Those who are afraid of heights and do not want to turn into a mountaineer, guides arrange trips to the deciduous forests hidden in the lowlands, where you can watch lemurs and chameleons, the smallest of which - brookesia - fits on your fingertip.
How to get there: an excursion to Tsinji du Bemaraha can be bought in the town of Morondava, which is located 200 km from the reserve. The long and bumpy road - the last 80 km is especially heavy - can ruin the whole mood, but for the sake of the panorama from the top of the rocks it is worth suffering any shaking. Near the reserve there are several hotels where you can stay overnight.

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