| Our last day in Madagascar we spend
in Antananarivo, the capital. This place is like many other Asian or African capitals:
crowded, noisy, full of character. We stay in Haute-Ville (Upper Town), near the
presidential house, the main post office, several banks, restaurants and nightclubs.
Down the street from our hotel people dance and listen to an outdoor rock concert.
The music carries a strong African beat, the lyrics vary from French to Malagasy.
Uphill, narrow streets lead past churches and other former royal buildings to
the ruins of the Rova, the former Queen's palace. Beneath this lies the lower
town along Araben ny Fahaleovantena (commonly known as Avenue de l'Indépendance).
At one end is the railway station and at the other is Hôtel Glacier. This district
is known as Analakely and is packed with permanent street markets. Even without
a map it's not hard to find our way and we take a sunday stroll for some last
scenes and memories of Madagascar. |