Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
bandanna has many uses, from mopping your streaming face to protecting your neck from
the sun or your hair and lungs from dust.
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
The voltage in Madagascar is 220V. Outlets are
European-style two-pin round plugs.
PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT
These days most people use digital cameras. Apart
from the obvious advantages it is great to be able to show local people their photo. Most
travellers just show the image on their cameras, but Derek Antonio Serra writes: 'I bought
a portable printer that prints colour postcards directly from your camera in 90 seconds.
I'd take a stroll and ask one or two people if I could photograph them, then rush back to
my hotel to print their photos. Imagine their amazement when I returned minutes later and
presented them with these valued gifts. From then on I had no problems finding subjects to
photograph.'
Batteries
AA batteries, although sold everywhere, are almost universally of poor quality,
which will not be a problem for low-drain applications like alarm clocks or small torches,
butwillworkforbarelyfiveminutesinadigital camera. Bringgoodrechargeablebatteries
from home. It may be useful to bring a solar charger as well as a plug-in one.
CHECKLIST
• Small torch (flashlight) with spare batteries/bulb, headlamp (for nocturnal animal hunts)
• Sewing kit, scissors, tweezers, safety pins
• Insulating tape or Sellotape (Scotch tape), string
• Permanent marker pen, notebook and pens Plastic bags (Zip-loc are particularly useful)
• Universal plug for baths and sinks, elastic clothes line or cord and pegs, concentrated de-
tergent
• Ear plugs
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen, lipsalve
• Spare glasses or contact lenses, sunglasses
• Medical and dental kit (see
Chapter 5
), dental floss
• Water bottle, water purifying tablets or other sterilising agent
• Compact binoculars, camera and film
• Travel alarm clock
• Books, miniature playing cards or other travel games
• French dictionary, Malagasy phrasebook
• Star chart for the southern hemisphere
