Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
are frequent delays and cancellations, making it wise to visit the station the day before to
confirm. The trip can take anywhere from seven to 12 hours. Tickets cost Ar20,000/14,000
in 1st/2nd class; the only actual difference is that 1st-class seats and windows are bigger
and it's less crowded. First class is generally only used by tourists. Advance reservations
are Ar10,000 more.
GETTING AROUND
Taxis operate day and night. The daytime price anywhere in the city is usually Ar2000, and
Ar2500 to Ar3000 at night.
Villages and destinations in the surrounding area are served by
taxi-be
(minivans), which
have route numbers marked in their front window. The fare to all destinations is Ar300;
departures are from the taxi-brousse station.
Around Fianarantsoa
There are a few sites to the north of Fianar that can all be visited in the same half-day trip.
Maromby Trappist Monastery
MONASTERY
(
www.maromby.org
;
Maromby; admission Ar1000; 9.30-11.30am & 3-4.30pm) This is
an interesting stop, as the monk on duty will give you a personal tour (pray he speaks your
language). The monastery is the contemplative side of a larger religious community with
a neighbouring active order. The Trappists here do what they have for centuries, making
wine (red and white, and flavoured aperitifs) and honey, as well as growing a lot of their
ownfood.Thechurch,withitsstriking stonealtar andparquetceiling andfloors,isparticu-
larly interesting as it reflects the integration of Christianity and Malagasy culture. Its doors
were carved by the brothers. The monastery is located 7km northeast of Fianarantsoa. A
taxi is about Ar10,000 return.
Sahambavy Tea Estate
PLANTATION
(admission Ar7000; 7am-4pm Mon-Fri, to 9.30am Sat) Ever wonder where tea comes
from? This local plantation will take you through the entire life cycle, from the fields to the
processing plant to the free tasting at the end. It's a worthwhile trip, and unique in Mada-
gascar. The tour is in French, but if you don't understand French, you can easily grasp the
process (and if you have a driver, they may be able to translate).
The Tea Estate is the first exit on the RN7 about 15km north of Fianarantsoa (turn at the
petrol station). You can also take a taxi-brousse, or take the train to Sahambavy station (the
second stop after Fianar on the FCE railway) and walk about 500m.
