Antananarivo and Area Looking - Madagascar - page 268

Stroll around Tana - or anywhere in Madagascar - and you'll come across groups of
men and boys clustered round a board marked with squares and criss-crosses. Usually
the 'board' is scratched in the earth. They are playing a game unique to Madagascar:
fanorona . It is a game of strategy; in its simplest version it has some similarities to
draughts/chequersbutforadvancedplayersitismorelikechess.InTanathebestplace
to watch a game in progress is the Esplanade de la Pergola. Carved fanorona boards
can be purchased at the Andravoahangy craft market.
SERIOUS SHOPPING The best-quality goods are sold in specialist shops. There are nu-
merous boutiques, particularly in the upper town. You'll find several Baobab Company,
Maki and Kameleon franchises, which specialise in T-shirts.
High-quality handicrafts are produced and sold at the Fihavanana orphanage [143 C5]
and AkanyAvoko refuge; bothplaces arehighlyrecommended foravisit andbuyingyour
gifts here ensures your money goes to a good cause. Details of both organisations are on
Click Here .
Town centre
Fosa Shop [146 C6] Rue de Russie, Isoraka; 09.30-18.30. Quality original T-shirts, in-
cluding several bearing fossa parodies of the Puma logo.
Tee-shirterie [146 C5] Rue Ratianarivo. The largest selection of Madagascar-themed T-
shirts in the city centre.
Galerie d'Art Malgache Yerden [146 C6] 9 Rue Dr Villette, Isoraka (opposite Japanese
Embassy); 22 244 62; Mon-Sat. Sells a huge variety of quality products.
Viva Home Galerie Zoom, Ankorondrano; 22 692 71. An excellent place for wood
crafts.
Arts & Jardin [146 D6] 26 Av Ramanantsoa Isoraka (next to Radama Hotel); 22 295
13; m 033 05 041 74; e [e-mail] ; Mon-Sat from 08.30. Sells a
good range of crafts.
Flamant Rose [147 E3] 45 Av de l'Indépendance; 22 557 76/24 268 04; m 032 02 354
19; e [e-mail] ; 09.00-18.00. A good art gallery.
Roses & Baobab [146 C5] Rue des 77 Parlementaires; m 032 40 615 60;
www.rosesetbaobab.com . Carvings, paintings & other work by local artists.
BioAroma [146 C5] 54 Av Ramanantsoa; 22 326 30; m 032 02 575 23;
e [e-mail] ; Mon-Fri 08.00-18.00, Sat 09.00-17.00, Sun 09.00-12.00. At
the top of the hill, this shop has a huge selection of their own brand of natural remedies,
essential oils, cosmetics & beauty products. Also aromatherapy, manicure & massage
available.
Soarano [146 C1] 1 Av de l'Indépendance. Shops inside the newly refurbished railway
station: Ivahona sells natural products including soaps, candles, spices & scarves; Galer-