The trip from Toronto to Antananarivo is just under 15,000 km, with the final leg from Paris representing about 60% of the total flight distance.  After a long flight from Paris, still without any sleep at all, we were finally approaching Antananarivo.

Below are some photos I took from the plane.  The bright green fields next to the bright red rivers and red soil is an amazing sight!

When we landed, I think it was about 6:00 AM local time (UTC+3).  Below are some photos of Ivato Airport (TNR) near Antananarivo.  I took these from the plane, but was not allowed to take any photos while in the airport or on the tarmac.

We proceeded inside the terminal building to get our visa.  It cost about 30 Euros total, and they never asked any questions.  I handed them my passport and a completed form on the purpose of my visit, and in assembly line fashion, a series of people added stamps and other things into my passport.  After it was reviewed by a couple more people at end of the assembly line, my passport was returned to me.

We claimed all of our baggage and proceeded through a brief customs inspection and then out of the secured area.

We met Nadine’s sister Anita, her husband Tsiry, and their children Maya, Océane and baby Mattieu.  After an emotional reunion, we walked to their car and we drove to their place in Ambohibao on the main road to Tana.

There aren’t as many cars on the road as in Paris, but the drivers here make the drivers in Paris look good.  I now see why car rental agencies here only rent cars with drivers.  It is a constant high speed game of dodging pot holes, bicycles, zebu carts, and pedestrians along a narrow road.  I’m not sure how to describe it, and I think it just needs to be experienced.  Over the coming weeks, I’m sure I’ll get some good photos of the driving in Madagascar.

We arrived at Anita’s place, and I didn’t get many photos, but I’m sure we’ll be back here many times over the coming weeks.  We received a tour of their nicely decorated and furnished apartment, which is located above the office supply store that Anita owns.  The place is on a hill with a fabulous view off the back balcony.

We unpacked our suitcases so we could unload the Christmas gifts that was taking up so much space in them.  While Nadine and Anita got caught up, I decided to ride along with Tsiry while he dropped the girls off at school.  We then returned to the house for breakfast before Anita opened her store and Tsiry left for work.

Here are some photos of Anita’s store.

Below is a zebu cart across the street.

In the morning, Nadine’s stepmother Lala, stepbrother Ritou (short for Richard) and his fiancée Elodie came by to visit.  Pictured below are Anita, Nadine, Lala, Ritou and Elodie (from left to right).

Around noon, we went upstairs (stores are closed from noon until 2) and enjoyed a wonderful lunch of many local dishes, including zebu steak (very nice).  The zebu is basically the Malagasy cow.  It looks a little like our cows, but with big horns on the head.  Pictured below is the dining table before lunch.

After lunch, Tsiry drove Nadine and I to our hotel to get some badly needed sleep.  Here are a couple of photos from the drive to the hotel.  Below we see zebu’s cooling off in a swamp.

Workers in rice fields…

A bus on the road into Tana…

These buses, essentially big vans, are found everywhere in Tana.  You see people hanging off the back while riding down the street, and they are constantly pulling in and out of traffic.

Taxis in Tana…

Above are some photos of taxis in Tana.  Notice the hill we’re driving up.  The city of Antananarivo is built into a very large hill.  I’m sure I’ll get more pictures over the coming weeks.  Also notice the cars.  I can’t remember the last time I saw a Renault 4.  They are everywhere here, and are apparently the car of choice for taxis.

We made it to our hotel, the Palissandre Hotel and Spa and checked in.  Very nice place, nicely decorated and furnished.  Seems to offer excellent service.  Here is a view from our room’s balcony at the Palissandre Hotel.

After trying to catch up on some sleep for a few hours and taking a nice shower, Anita and her family arrived at the hotel to pick us up for dinner and a driving tour of Tana by night.  The hills in this place are steep!  I can tell this will become a challenge when we decide to do some exploring on foot.  Below is Nadine with Maya and Océane.

Tsiry with Maya at the restaurant…

After a fabulous dinner at a wonderful French restaurant, we headed back to the hotel for the night.  Below are some more photos of the Palissandre Hotel.