Madagascar is a beautiful island with lots to see. My visit started in the capital of the country, Tananarivo. Apparently in 2008 Madagascar had a population of 17 million, with roughly 5 million people situated in the capital. The average age is a mere 18 years!

After a short visit to Tananarivo I went to a small island off the northern coast of Madagascar, not far from a popular tourist destination called Nosy Be. There is a striking difference in the climate. While Tananarivo is fairly mild with a daily maximum temperature of about 27 degrees and not much air humidity, the coastal zone is really tropically hot and humid.

The water temperature of the Indian Ocean is quite warm and very pleasant. A bath in the sea is the best way to cool down a bit.

After relaxing on the small island of Tsarabanjina I went South to the mountainous area of Antsirabe. The climate of Antsirabe feels almost European - it is moderately warm at around 22 degrees at daytime and cool at night (at the end of the rainy season in April).

Every day started off with a wonderful blue sky, which slowly became cloudy in the afternoon. At around 4 pm every day there would be a solid cover of clouds and the occasional thunderstorm.

Although the country is very poor, I was amazed at how busy people appear to be. I am used to seeing many people in the streets, but in Madagascar it seems that everybody is so busy that they all rush and even run.

Another thing that impressed me was that everybody seems to be awake only as long as there is sunlight. Soon after nightfall the streets are totally empty and it seems that people are really sleeping as early as 9 pm. And since they go to bed early, they also get up very early. At dawn the streets are already crowded and work has begun.

I think the country may be poor now, but there is a huge potential for tourism and agriculture, and the Malagasy people are not at all lazy. Development is extremely rapid. The country is definitely booming, I just hope it will retain its natural character, flora and fauna.

I cannot recommend this to others, but I went to Madagascar without taking anti-malaria tablets or vaccinations. I took Vitamin B tablets already a week before going there and continued to take them throughout my stay.

I did not take anti-malaria tablets, because I heard of their many side-effects. Apparently malaria can be treated readily in the initial stage. I also heard that natives smoke cannabis against malaria, and that it is supposed to work, although I have my doubts.

To protect against insect bites I used Citronella essential oil, which I applied every 2 hours. I slept under a Mosquito net most of the time, unless my room was sprayed with DDT (yes, they still use DDT!). Around dusk I made sure I covered up wearing long sleeves and long trousers.

I was very careful eating and stuck to the motto "Cook it or Peel it -- otherwise leave it." I brushed my teeth with mineral water and made sure I wouldn't drink any other water.