The Highlands South of Tana - Madagascar - page 327

Museum and gift shop This is part of the Ranomafana National Park Project to improve
visitor understanding of the area. It is an interesting museum and the handicrafts are of a
high standard, including beautifully embroidered T-shirts.
THERMAL BATHS ( Wed-Mon 08.00-16.30; Tue closed ) These are close to the
former Station Thermale hotel. For a minimal payment you can have a wonderful warm
swim in the pool. I love it, but note that the pool water is not chlorinated so there's algae
on the bottom.
CONTINUING SOUTH: FIANARANTSOA TO IHOSY
The next leg of the journey on RN7 is 206km. Coming from Fianar the landscape is a fine
blendofvineyardsandterracedricepaddies(theBetsileoareacknowledgedmastersofrice
cultivation), then after 20km a giant rock formation seems almost to hold the road in its
grasp. Its name is, appropriately, Tanan' Andriamanitra, or 'hand of God'. From here to
Ihosy you will see some of the finest mountain scenery in Madagascar.
AMBALAVAO (PK 461)
Some 56km southwest of Fianarantsoa is my favourite highlands town: Ambalavao. The
road drops steeply down to the town providing excellent views across the landscape. But
RN7 does not pass through the attractive part of Ambalavao; I strongly urge people to stop
hereforafewhoursoratleasttoamblethroughthecar-freestreetswhicharethrongedwith
people, and take in the once-grand houses with their pillars, carved balconies, and steep,
red-tiled roofs. If travelling south, this is the last time you'll see typical highland architec-
ture. The town is famous as the centre for Antaimoro paper-making, so a lot of tour buses
stop here. Market day is Wednesday.
WHERE TO STAY AND EAT
Bougainvillées (24 bungalows) 75 340 01/08; m 034 08 206 01/032 46 351 35;
e [e-mail] . Adjacent to the Antaimoro paper shop. Bun-